Tsukimi is a Japanese festival honoring the autumn moon. The celebration of the full moon typically takes place on the eighth month of the Japanese lunisolar calendar. This year it falls on October 3rd. The moon on this day is said to be the brightest and the most beautiful in the year. Sweet potatoes are offered to the full moon. Traditions ialso include decorations called susuki, eating rice dumplings called Tsukimi normally served on a skewers and drinking sake as offerings to the moon. The Japanese believe that by putting these foods in the moonlight, it shows appreciation for the harvest and respect to nature, and they pray for an abundant harvest in the coming year. For information on travel to Japan, click here
