A Snack Lover’s Guide to Japanese Summer Superstitions

Welcome to a Superstitious Summer in Japan

As Japan's summer heat settles in, a certain magic seems to awaken in the air. The dense humidity, the endless chorus of cicadas, and waves of heat rising from the pavement set the stage for a season rich in tradition. It’s a time when Japanese mythology, traditional customs, and seasonal pastimes come together, combining nostalgic snacks, lively games, and the spine-tingling thrill of the supernatural. In Japanese culture, summer is believed to be the season when the boundary between the living and the spirit world is at its thinnest, especially during the Obon festival in August. This belief inspires customs such as telling scary stories by candlelight, watching horror films, and venturing into haunted houses. Yet not everything about summer in Japan is eerie. The season also brings playful moments and cool, delicious ways to beat the heat, all capped by spectacular fireworks festivals that light up the night sky. Together, these customs, from the ghostly to the joyful, make summer in Japan unforgettable.

Eating Eel for Endurance: The Doyo no Ushi Tradition

In the sweltering heat of Japan's summer, one long-standing Japanese custom stands out: eating unagi, or grilled eel, during Doyo no Ushi no Hi (Midsummer Day of the Ox). This custom dates back centuries and is believed to help restore energy and build stamina during the year's most humid and exhausting days. Rich in protein, vitamins A and B, and omega-3 fatty acids, eel is thought to give the body a powerful boost, helping people stay energized through the summer heat. Alongside this custom, many also enjoy stamina-boosting snacks that capture the same spirit of renewal, such as those found in the Bokksu Snack Box. Refreshing teas, sweet yuzu candies, and other nourishing treats offer revitalizing flavors that help invigorate the body and mind. Together, these foods and traditions reflect how Japanese culture thoughtfully embraces summer’s challenges with dishes designed to strengthen both body and spirit.

Watermelon Splitting and Summer Fortune

Nothing captures the spirit of summer in the country quite like a spirited round of suikawari, a traditional Japanese game that brings people together in laughter and fun. In this classic pastime, a blindfolded player attempts to smash open a watermelon using a wooden stick, relying solely on shouted directions and encouragement from friends and family. Once the watermelon is cracked open, the pieces are shared and enjoyed fresh under the summer sun.

For a playful and portable take on this nostalgic custom, Bokksu's Kumamoto Watermelon Gummy offers a burst of authentic summer flavor. Made with real watermelon juice from Kumamoto, these gummies feature a soft, jelly-filled center that replicates the summery sweetness of the real fruit. They’re the perfect treat to relive the joy of suikawari, delivering that iconic watermelon sweetness in a fun, portable form that lets the summer spirit linger wherever you are.

== https://www.bokksu.com/collections/bokksu-exclusive-box-and-bundle/products/treat-yourself-box== ==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/bokksu-exclusive-box-and-bundle/products/bokksu-ramen-box== ==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/bokksu-exclusive-box-and-bundle/products/the-kawaii-gift-box==

Yūrei and Obake: Ghost Stories that Cool You Down

During summer, there’s a chilling Japanese tradition believed to help cool you down amid the sweltering heat: telling ghost stories featuring yurei (restless female ghosts) and obake (shape-shifting spirits). This custom dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when people gathered for kaidan, or "weird tales." At these eerie gatherings, lamps were lit as participants took turns sharing ghost stories, often involving female ghosts whose tragic tales lingered between worlds. With each haunting tale, a lamp would be extinguished, plunging the room into deeper darkness and intensifying the suspense—until someone inevitably lost their nerve.

To balance the suspense, enjoying seasonal snacks can offer comforting relief. Flavors like bright, citrusy yuzu mochi add a refreshing contrast, while rich, nutty black sesame chocolate provides a grounding calm. Whether you’re recounting haunting encounters or simply enjoying the thrill of a well-told ghost story, these treats help soothe the senses and complete the experience of a truly unforgettable Japanese summer night.

Wind Chimes to Ward Off Evil Spirits

In the height of Japan’s summer, the gentle chime of furin, or traditional Japanese wind chimes, creates a tranquil and almost meditative soundtrack to the season. More than simple decorations, these delicate bells are believed to provide protection, with their soft, ringing tones thought to ward off evil spirits and other supernatural beings. Often placed by windows or doorways, furin bring a sense of peace and serenity that contrasts beautifully with the intense heat of summer days.

To match this calm and soothing atmosphere, Bokksu offers refreshing treats like Setouchi Lemon Mochi. These soft, chewy bites are infused with the bright, zesty flavor of lemons grown in the sun-kissed Setouchi region. For an extra cooling experience, enjoy them alongside mint tea or other citrus-infused snacks from Bokksu, creating a peaceful summer moment as revitalizing as a breeze fluttering through a wind chime.

Tasty Tales from Japanese Folklore: Yokai and Youkai-Inspired Snacks

Japan’s yokai, the supernatural creatures of Japanese folklore, have captivated people for centuries, and their influence continues to thrive in modern snack culture. From the mischievous, water-dwelling kappa to the powerful, long-nosed tengu, these legendary beings often make the leap from Japanese folktales to the eye-catching packaging of contemporary treats. It's common to see colorful illustrations of oni (demons), kitsune (fox spirits), and other yokai decorating snack bags and boxes, particularly during seasonal events like Obon or Halloween. These designs frequently feature traditional Japanese motifs, patterns, and textures, blending timeless folklore with playful modern aesthetics. One popular example is the range of snacks inspired by the Yo-kai Watch anime, where caramel corn and gummies are dressed in lively yokai-themed packaging that’s as fun to admire as it is to enjoy. These creatively presented snacks offer a delicious and engaging way to explore Japan’s rich tradition of storytelling, transforming every bite into a lighthearted adventure through the world of yokai.

==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/bokksu-exclusive-box-and-bundle/products/japanese-savory-snack-box== ==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/bokksu-exclusive-box-and-bundle/products/japanese-fruits-gummy-box== ==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/all/products/the-happy-hour-gift-box==

Bon Odori and the Spirits of Obon

Obon, or the Bon Festival, is the Japanese version of a spiritual reunion—an annual Buddhist tradition that honors the spirits of ancestors with warmth, gratitude, and celebration. Taking place over several days in August, Obon is when families gather to welcome the spirits of their departed loved ones back home. To guide these spirits on their journey, lanterns are lit to create a glowing path, helping ancestors find their way back—and eventually return to the afterlife. One of the festival’s most lively customs is Bon Odori, a community dance where people come together to celebrate life and remember those who have passed. Naturally, no summer festival would be complete without nostalgic comfort foods. Obon evenings are filled with the tempting aromas of takoyaki (octopus balls), sizzling yakisoba noodles, savory okonomiyaki, refreshing kakigori (shaved ice with syrup), and the sweet, fluffy treat of wata ame (cotton candy).

Fireworks and Spirits: Hanabi's Symbolic Meanings

In Japan, summer nights wouldn't feel complete without the breathtaking spectacle of hanabi, which means "flower fire." These fireworks symbolize fleeting beauty, a reminder to cherish the present moment as the brilliant bursts fade into the night. Traditionally, fireworks are also believed to ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune, turning each show into both a joyful celebration and a form of symbolic protection. As people gather under the glittering skies, there’s a shared sense of awe and connection, embracing the beauty of the moment and the joy of being together.

To capture that bright and festive summer spirit in snack form, few things are as nostalgic and refreshing as ramune-flavored treats. Bokksu’s Handmade Ramune Candy delivers the classic soda pop taste in a tiny marble-shaped sweet that echoes the fun of the beloved drink. For something extra playful, the Kanpai Ramune Candy comes in adorable mini beer mug containers, making it a perfect way to share a sweet toast to summer nights filled with laughter, light, and memories.

Shrines, Salt, and Snack Offerings

In Japan, food has long held deep spiritual significance, especially in connection with purification rituals at Shinto shrines. Since ancient times, offerings of food, like rice, salt, or sake, have been presented to Japanese deities by the Japanese people as acts of reverence and cleansing. Central to these practices is the belief that food can purify both body and spirit, a concept rooted in Shinto myths and the worship of nature and divine beings. Even the sun goddess Amaterasu, one of the most revered figures in Japanese mythology, is honored through offerings like a humble rice bowl, symbolizing life, gratitude, and connection to the divine. This spiritual connection to food continues today in the Japanese tradition of giving and receiving snacks—not just as a kind gesture, but as a way to express respect, share blessings, and honor relationships.

Seasonal Superstitions, Delivered by Bokksu

With Bokksu Snack Box, exploring Japan's rich tapestry of summer traditions becomes a deliciously snackable adventure you can enjoy right at home. Each box offers a carefully curated journey through the season’s distinctive flavors, stories, and cultural beliefs, delivering the essence of Japan’s festivals, myths, and customs right to your doorstep. Whether you’re refreshing yourself with zesty yuzu candies or savoring savory snacks while diving into tales of yokai, Bokksu makes it simple to experience the heart and spirit of a Japanese summer no matter where you are.

==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/all-bokksu-boutique-items/products/classic-bokksu-seasons-of-japan== ==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/all/products/bokksu-the-japanese-tea-box== ==https://www.bokksu.com/collections/bokksu-exclusive-box-and-bundle/products/cat-lovers-box==