Roast Beef in Japan

Today, and June 10th annually, is Roast Beef Day ローストビーフの日 in Japan. It was established by Tawara‑ya, a roast‑beef specialty shop in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture, to promote the appeal of high‑quality roast beef. The date comes from the wordplay on 6/10, "ro (6) – suto (10)", echoing “roast,” was also chosen because Father’s Day is coming up and roast beef could make a good Father's Day gift.

The day highlights the craftsmanship behind Japanese roast beef, especially versions made with premium wagyu. Tawara‑ya emphasize careful preparation, slow roasting, and attention to the natural flavor of the meat. In Japan, roast beef is still not as popular as in my home country, Ireland, where roast beef is a popular dish, especially on Sundays. But the interest in and consumption of roast beef has been increasing over the years. Still, if I want a traditional Roast Beef Dinner in Japan, I usually go to a high-end restaurant or an Irish pub!

"Roast Beef Day" reflects Japan’s broader trend of celebrating food culture through commemorative days, many of which are based on playful number associations. While roast beef originated in Western cuisine, it has been warmly adopted into Japanese food culture. However, in Japan, rather than being served with potatoes, peas and carrots, its often paired with rice and vegetables and light sauces that suit local tastes.