A day for figs, particularly Osaka figs

Today, and January 19th annually, is Happy Okan / Osaka Fig Day はっぴいおかん・大阪いちじくの日. “Happy Okan / Osaka Fig Day” was created by Happy Okan, a local group in Habikino City, Osaka. They produce and sell specialty foods made with the region’s famous figs.

The date comes from the wordplay 1 (ichi) – 19 (jiku), echoing the Japanese reading of “ichijiku,” meaning fig. The purpose of the anniversary is to promote the health benefits of figs as well as raise awareness of Osaka-grown fig products as a signature local specialty and souvenir.

The anniversary highlights the group’s creative lineup, which includes items such as Osaka Fig Drink, Fig Infinity Dip, Non‑Oil Fig Dressing, Drinkable & Edible Fig Jelly, and Osaka Fig Pudding. 

Although, I have a photo of a fig in my personal collection of photos, Google can't find it so I had to resort to using a photo I had to hand of a fig picking farm near Kawagoe, which unfortunately closed down during the pandemic.