Japanese custom: Devour a fortune roll before the start of spring for a year of good luck

▲Kagaya by Yuyousheng 0201-0203 serves ehōmaki for breakfast, inviting guests to experience the festive spirit of Setsubun Day. (Photo / Provided by Kagaya)

Travel Centre / General Report

Eating “ehōmaki” on the night before Risshun (the first day of spring) is an old custom from Japan’s Kansai region. Facing this year’s lucky direction with a smile and eating the entire ehōmaki roll is believed to bring good luck for the whole year. This year, Risshun falls on February 4th, the lucky time is on February 3rd, and the lucky direction is north-northwest.

In Japan, ehōmaki refers to a thick sushi roll eaten during Setsubun that is said to bring good fortune. It contains seven fillings: kanpyō (dried gourd strips), tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), crab sticks, cucumber, grilled eel, shiitake mushrooms, and sakura denbu (sweet shredded fish flakes). These seven ingredients also represent the Seven Lucky Gods. When eating it, you must not speak or cut the roll, and instead face the ehōmaki direction (the auspicious direction of the new year where the god of fortune resides), and eat the entire roll in one go to “swallow the fortune.” It is said to bring good luck to your family, prosperous business, and overall good fortune for the year.

From February 1st to 3rd for three consecutive days, most supermarkets in Japan will offer ehōmaki, while Taiwan’s Yuyousheng Kagaya has introduced a set meal option on the 3rd floor at Kaboku Tenjo Hall that allows guests to add ehōmaki for purchase. For the first time, a “takeaway” service is also available. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy ehōmaki and usher in good fortune for the new year.