Life in Fukuoka "English"

【November Holidays】

As we enter November, let’s talk about some holidays dedicated to expressing gratitude. Japan is known for having many special commemorative days, and two of them in November stand out: Good Couple Day and Labor Thanksgiving Day. 

Good Couple Day on November 22 was created from a Japanese wordplay on the numbers (11= “ii,” meaning good, and 22= “fufu,” meaning couple). This day is dedicated to cherishing time together as a couple. It’s a wonderful opportunity to express appreciation and share thoughts that may be hard to say in everyday life. Many people celebrate it not only with their partners but also with their parents, married children, or friends who are couples. The day has become so popular that some couples even choose it as their wedding anniversary. There are also events, such as the “Nice Couple Award,” which is presented to famous couples who stood out that year. 

Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23 is the last national holiday of the year. As the name suggests, it’s a day to express gratitude to workers. Originally, it was a harvest festival where people thanked the gods for the year’s crops and prayed for a good harvest in the coming year. Today, Labor Thanksgiving Day encourages the appreciation of work and the efforts of others. While there are no specific customs for the day, people often take time to rest, unwind, and share gratitude with family, friends, coworkers, and others who work hard around them. 

Both of these days are also a reminder to show appreciation not only to others but to yourself. Take a moment to recognize your efforts and give yourself some well-deserved praise for all the hard work you do! 

【Oyster Huts】

Next up, I have information on a popular winter tradition in Fukuoka. These are the oyster huts in Itoshima which have opened for the season! Each year around this time, local fishermen set up huts and vinyl houses where visitors can enjoy oysters, often called "the milk of the sea." They are rich in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and packed with high-quality protein and nutrients that boost immunity, combat fatigue, prevent lifestyle diseases, and are beneficial for skin and hair. 

Itoshima’s oysters are known for being fresh, safe, affordable, large, and delicious, making them a favorite not only among locals but also among visitors from outside the prefecture. They are even available for purchase online, so you can enjoy fresh Itoshima oysters at home.

How do you like your oysters prepared? Raw, grilled, or steamed with just a squeeze of lemon or soy sauce is always a classic choice. They’re also delicious sautéed in butter and garlic or served as an ajillo.

In the past, when I've visited the oyster huts, I often brought a few seasonings with me. Some huts let you bring them. I think my favorite way to eat them was with garlic and butter, but we also found that adding some parmesan cheese on them was pretty good too!

In Japan, fried oysters (kaki-fry) are also very popular, and many restaurants offer this dish during the season. Be sure to try it if you haven’t—it's delicious! Be careful though, they're really hot when they come out and stay hot for a while, so when you bite into them, you might burn your tongue! Oysters add great flavor to soups and hot pots, making them perfect for warming up on chilly days. 

I can't say I often use oysters in my own cooking, I tend to eat them at restaurants during the oyster season as I trust the cooks there to cook them just right and bring out the best of their flavors. 

But, if you have any delicious oyster recipes, please share them with us! I'm always interested in trying new dishes!