Latest news with #DayoftheOx
The Mainichi
21-07-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Easy Japanese news in translation: Eel shipping begins in Miyazaki Prefecture
The shipping of "shinko eel" began in Miyazaki Prefecture on July 14, ahead of "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" or the Day of the Ox in midsummer, which falls on July 19 and 31 this year. In Japan, there is a long tradition of eating eel on the Day of the Ox. It is believed to be good for preventing summer fatigue and for health. Shinko eel refers to eels that are farmed for one year or less. They weigh about 160 to 350 grams each and are known for their soft texture. Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension. A fresh set will be published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m., Japan time. Click/tap here for past installments. Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.
Yomiuri Shimbun
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
On Day of Ox, People Eat Grilled Eel to Beat Summer Heat; Higher Rice, Fuel Prices Counteract Lower Eel Prices
SAITAMA — People flocked to specialty restaurants, supermarkets and department stores for kabayaki grilled eel in order to beat the summer heat on Saturday. This year, July 19 is the Day of the Ox, a day in midsummer when grilled eel is traditionally eaten. At Yamazakiya, a restaurant specializing in eel in Saitama City's Urawa Ward, chefs began grilling eel before opening and were expected to cook about 500 eels that day. According to the Fisheries Agency, 14.8 tons of Japanese eel larvae were caught for farming purposes in Japan in the season which began in November, double the previous season. The purchase price of the larvae for breeders was around ¥1.3 million per kilogram, half the previous season. Many of the eels to be raised in farms this season will only begin to be circulated from autumn. This has meant Yamazakiya could only procure eels at about a 10% discount from the previous year. Because rice, fuel and other prices are rising, the restaurant raised the price of it regular-sized unaju grilled eel on rice by ¥400 to ¥4,000 including tax in April. Masayuki Shiina, owner of Yamazakiya, said, 'I feel sorry I had to raise the price, but I hope customers will feel energized by eating highly nutritious eel.'
19-07-2025
- Lifestyle
Eel Restaurants Draw Crowds on Day of Ox amid Summer Heat
Tokyo, July 19 (Jiji Press)--"Kabayaki" grilled eel stores and restaurants in Japan attracted crowds of customers on Saturday, this year's Day of Ox, with many lining up from before opening time in hope of surviving the intense heat by eating the summer delicacy. Japanese people have a tradition of eating nutritious grilled eels, believed to be good for restoring energy, on the midsummer Day of the Ox. The popularity of the summer tradition seems to be unabated even when the purse strings tend to tighten due to high prices. At Yatsumeya Nishimura, a long-established eel restaurant in Tokyo's Meguro Ward, the staff were busy from early in the morning preparing around 1,500 fillets of grilled eels. They dipped the fillets in a sauce and grilled them skillfully over charcoal until they were browned. Yatsumeya Nishimura's grilled eels for take-out are priced at 3,000 yen per fillet, unchanged from last year. The restaurant has been attracting many customers this summer, since before the day of the Ox. Its owner, Kiyoshi Matsumoto, said: "It's hot again today. We will work hard to sell our eels so that many people can enjoy them." A man in his 70s from Ibaraki Prefecture in eastern Japan said, "I left home at 5 a.m. to buy eels at this store. I want to nourish my body by eating the eels." [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Yomiuri Shimbun
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Eel Imports Peak at Narita Airport Ahead of Day When Grilled Eel Traditionally Eaten
NARITA, Chiba – Narita Airport is facing the busiest time of year for live eel imports as it gets closer to the Day of the Ox, a day in midsummer when grilled eel is traditionally eaten. This year, the Day of the Ox takes place on July 19 and 31. Of the 8,062 tons of eels imported into Japan last year, Narita Airport handled 6,490 tons, or about 80%, according to Tokyo Customs. In July last year, 1,158 tons of eels were imported nationwide, and 890 tons passed through Narita Airport. Both figures were the highest for 2024. An import company in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, purchased on Wednesday about 2 tons of Japanese eels farmed in China and Taiwan . The president of the company said this year's market price is about the same as last year. The president also said the price, so far, has not been affected by the European Union's June proposal to regulate eel trade under the Washington Convention, which restricts the international trade of protected species. 'Even though it's hot, I want people to stay healthy by eating eels,' the company president said.
15-07-2025
- Business
Retailers in Japan Ramping Up Eel Sales Ahead of Day of Ox
Tokyo, July 15 (Jiji Press)--Retailers across Japan are ramping up sales campaigns for eel dishes ahead of Saturday's midsummer Day of the Ox, a traditional day for eating eel to combat the summer heat. Supermarkets and department stores are trying creative ways to attract consumers who are thrifty due to persistent inflation, offering diverse lineups ranging from luxury to affordable products and even including super-extralarge eel dishes, which are good for sharing. Aeon Retail Co. has procured a record 110,000 extralarge and super-extralarge eels. "We've curbed procurement costs by buying in bulk," a company official said. Despite rising costs, Aeon maintained the price for super-extralarge grilled eels weighing 250 grams, enough for two or three people, unchanged from last year at 3,866 yen. Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co. is offering eel dishes in a wide price range at its flagship Daimaru Tokyo store. Customers can choose from high-end meals priced at 5,000 yen to affordable options, such as rice balls with tempura fried eel priced at 1,118 yen. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
