Moon Viewing 月見
Tsukimi parties (Sept & Oct)
Tsukimi means ‘moon viewing’ and there is a Japanese tradition of holding parties to view the harvest moon that goes back to the Heian Period (794 to 1185).
The celebration of the full moon took place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the traditional Japanese calendar; the waxing moon was celebrated on the 13th day of the 9th month. These days fall in September and October of the modern solar calendar.
It is traditional to serve Tsukimi dango, mochi (pounded rice) dumplings, round like the moon. These days, some fast food restaurants offer a special menu featuring fried egg burgers known as Tsukimi burgers - with the yolk representing the full moon.
Side note: Japanese don’t see a ‘man in the moon’ - they see a rabbit!