The Birthplace and Origin of Chestnut Kinton Day

In my previous post I introduced a brand-new commemoration in 2026 dedicated to sweet chestnuts. But it is not the only chestnut commemoration on September 9th annually. The date is also Chestnut Kinton Day 栗きんとんの日 in Japan.

Chestnut Kinton is a hand formed wagashi made by steaming fresh chestnuts, mashing them and mixing them with just sugar. The mixture is then shaped into small, rustic mounds that highlight the natural flavor of chestnut.

Chestnut Kinton Day originates in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, where people have long eaten the wagashi on the Double Ninth Festival (Chōyō no Sekku) to pray for longevity and prosperity. The festival itself is considered auspicious because the largest, odd number, nine, appears twice on this date.

As a major chestnut‑producing region, the city proudly calls itself the birthplace of chestnut kinton. Each year, a ceremony is held at the commemorative stone monument near JR Nakatsugawa Station, followed by free chestnut kinton distribution, marking the arrival of autumn for locals.