Autumn, the season of appetite

One of the things I love about living in Japan is how each season has its own expressions and traditions. Autumn comes with a phrase I hadn't ever heard of in my home country, and that's 食欲の秋 (shokuyoku no aki), or "autumn, the season of appetite."

At first, I thought it was just a fun saying, but I think it really reflects how much food is tied to this time of year. When summer eases (and lately summers seem to go on and on), it's natural that people feel hungrier again, and markets fill up with seasonal produce. Chestnuts, persimmons, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and newly harvested rice all start appearing on menus and in convenience store specials. Even the limited-edition lattes and ice creams switch to autumn flavors.

For me, shokuyoku no aki has become a highlight of living here. Back in my home country, there aren't really any specific autumn eats, but here the season feels like a broader celebration of food itself.

I've also noticed that autumn is quite a social time of year. Friends have invited me to activities like sweet potato digging and fruit picking, and those experiences have shown me that the phrase isn't just about eating more, but enjoying that feeling of togetherness that comes with the season.