Dove Day, celebrating Kamakura's famous souvenir

August 10th every year is known as Dove Day 鳩の日 (Hato no Hi) in Japan. Rather than being dedicated to the bird, it is a commemorative day in honor of "Hato (Dove) Sable", a famous food souvenir of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture (pictured).

The anniversary was created by the long-established confectionery maker Toshimaya, the company behind the beloved dove-shaped cookie.The date of the anniiversary comes from a playful reading of August 10th, 8/10, "Ha(8) To(10)", the Japanese for dove. 

Toshimaya’s history stretches back to 1894, and its dove‑shaped sablé has been cherished for more than a century. Over time, the gentle dove motif has become an informal symbol of Kamakura itself, and the sablé remains one of the city’s most beloved souvenirs; a treat almost everyone brings home after a visit.