Mountain foraging season

Today, and March 31st annually, is Mountain Vegetables Day 山菜の日 (Sansai no hi) in Japan. “Mountain Vegetables Day” celebrates the tender, slightly wild flavors of early spring; those first shoots and buds that signal winter’s retreat.

The anniversary was established by a renowned mountain‑vegetable restaurant in Yamagata. They chose March 31st, 3/31, because it can read as sansai: "san (3) sa (3) i (1)". The day honors the deep connection between Japan’s seasonal rhythms and its food culture. Moreover, it’s a reminder of how precious the arrival of spring is in snowy regions. Mountain vegetables carry the scent of thawing earth and the promise of renewal. 

Foraging for mountain vegetables has been practiced for centuries and this anniversary serves as a welcome reminder that the season has begun. Have you ever foraged for mountain vegetables in Japan?