A Whiff of Nostalgia: Natto Day and Life in Mito City

Today, and July 10th annually, is Natto Day 納豆の日 in Japan. The date was inspired by how 7/10 can be read as "Na (7) tto (10)". The anniversary was first established in 1981 by the Kansai Natto Industry Cooperative to boost local consumption. It later became a nationwide commemorative day in 1992 when the National Natto Cooperative Federation adopted it.

Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans, famous for its sticky strings, strong smell, and savory, slightly funky flavor. The bold aroma and gooey texture isn't for everyone, but it’s also loved for being nutritious, protein‑rich, and deeply rooted in Japanese food culture. "Natto day" highlights this culture and its long history, from its origins in temple storehouses to its appearacne in Heian period literature.

For me, Natto Day always brings back memories of living in Mito City: Japan’s natto capital. Mito natto has a proud reputation, but my experience was a little more… vivid. I lived near a natto factory, and every time I walked past, the whiff was like a pair of smelly socks left too long in a gym bag. Yet somehow, that quirky smell became part of my everyday rhythm, a reminder of how deeply natto is woven into Mito’s identity!