Autumn is just around the corner in Japan, which means things are changing. The temperature is cooling (ever so slightly) in the evenings, the leaves are starting to change color. You can buy pumpkin shaped and flavored cakes at local bakeries and the lobbies of most Karaoke parlors are decked out in pumpkins, skeletons, and glittery black cut-outs.
Top 4 Signs of Autumn in Japan:
1. Everyone starts layering up.
Starting in mid September, no matter what the temperature actually is, people start layering up with hats, scarves, jackets, and tights. Gone are the summer colors and floral prints. Instead, there is an emphasis on bold neon accessories, blacks, and earthy tones.
2. Sweet potato flavored everything.
Sweet potato cakes, sweet potato shaped and flavored ice cream, and hot sweet potatoes roasting at the 100yen Lawson’s stores are a staple in the fall and winter. A popular school activity this time of year is the digging of sweet potatoes. We’ve already received two bags of fresh sweet potatoes, dug up by my husband’s Japanese nieces and nephews.
3. Everyone starts plugging in their toilets.
We plugged our toilet in yesterday. The heated toilet seat is a familiar and welcomed addition to the house. We leave it unplugged in late-Spring and Summer, but as soon as it starts getting a bit chilly, we plug our “throne” back into the wall.
4. Pumpkin Spiced (Western) Drinks.
Found most commonly at Western restaurants and cafes, pumpkin spiced drinks, such as a pumpkin spiced latte, a pumpkin spiced hot chocolate, or a pumpkin spice Cafe Au Lait just started popping up on seasonal menus. For me, that’s how I know that Autumn is officially in season.
What’s your favourite autumn activity?
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I like making my homemade pumpkin pies and giving them to people.
Here’s two really obvious signs of the arrival of autumn:
1. “Konbini” and other stores selling food items are stocking nikuman and oden, not to mention food items for nabe one-pot meals.
2. JTB, other tourist agencies, and the JR Group railroads are promoting fall foliage (koyo) tours all over Japan.
Pumpkin Spice Latte, the actual key to a white girls heart.
Autumn-having nothing whatsoever to do with pumpkin anything, especially in coffee. ugh!
You can’t beat the full flavor Autumn beers in Japan this time of the year. Some great snacks as well. Have you tried the pumpkin flavored Kit Kats?
One word – HALLOWEEN
We don’t have, in my country (Croatia) neither heated toilet seats nor pumpkin flavoured drinks…we just have a cold weather XD
I’m not going to lie, heated toilet seats in the winter are one of my FAVORITE things about living in Japan.
oh I can imagine that hah…but since we have central hating here, it’s not really necessary for us 😉
Especially as they don’t have central heating here.
New series of autumn beers! Love the drawings btw.
Thanks 🙂
Eating sweet potatoes and wearing layered outfits
Oh MAN I miss heated toilet seats…(although here in Texas we have little call for them most of the year!)
I know! I’m also from Texas – it’s taken quite a while to get used to all the snow and ice in Tokyo… (I will never forget the time I tried to ride a bike in the snow…). The toilet seats help, though.
Woah woah woah… I have been missing out on pumpkin spiced drinks here?? Where do they sell them?
Most “Western” cafes have them. Starbucks (of course) – but you can also buy your own pumpkin spice/chai powders/syrups from Kaldi Coffee or other import stores.
Oh, bummer, our Starbucks has never carried them! Now that I know they’re in the country somewhere, though, I’ll be keeping an eye out! Thanks!