Kashiwa-mochi

Kashiwa-mochi is a rice cake wrapped in an oak leaf. Japanese people eat Kashiwa-mochi on May 5th every year. May 5th is Children’s Day, national holiday in Japan. Japanese people pray for the healthy growth of children on this day. Originally May 5th is the day called Tango-no-sekku when there are many events praying for the healthy growth of boys. Having Kashiwa-mochi is one of these events. Kashiwa-mochi includes red bean paste. There are two type red bean pastes on Kashiwa-mochi. One is strained red bean paste and the other is coarse red bean paste.

Honestly I did not like Kashiwa-mochi in my childhood because it is very sweet. But now I like Kashiwa-mochi and buy both type o Kashiwa-mochi, strained and coarse at a Japanese sweets shop. The custom of eating Kashiwa-mochi on the day may be for adult in reality.