おせち料理は予約できますか
おせちりょうりはよやくできますか
Can I preorder osechi?
POINTReservations generally start from October to November.
Shopping/Food
Seasonal Food
Master the Japanese you need for Seasonal Food in natural keigo. Scene-by-scene flow · NG examples · politeness levels · 9-language parallel translations
This page helps foreign residents and long-term visitors handle "Seasonal Food" with daily Japanese phrases for living in Japan, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid.
What this page helps you say in Japan
This page focuses on Seasonal Food and teaches useful Japanese phrases for daily life in Japan, including natural replies, polite alternatives, and practical wording for foreigners living in Japan.
What You'll Learn on This Page
- New Year (Osechi, Mochi, Kagami-mochi)
- Setsubun (Ehomaki/Mamemaki)
- Mid-year gift/year-end gift
- Enjoy the season
- Hear the meaning of event food
Practice Phrases (10 Total)
一番小さいおせちはいくらですか
いちばんちいさいおせちはいくらですか
How much is the smallest osechi?
POINT2 servings 10,000 to 20,000, 4 servings 20,000 to 50,000
鏡餅はどこに置いてありますか
かがみもちはどこにおいてありますか
Where are the kagami-mochi?
POINTSpecial supermarket corner in late December
恵方巻の予約をしたいのですが
えほうまきのよやくをしたいのですが
I'd like to preorder ehomaki.
POINTReceived the day before Setsubun (2/3)
今年の恵方はどの方角ですか
ことしのえほうはどのほうがくですか
Which direction is the lucky way this year?
POINTChanges every year, store staff can answer
お中元・お歳暮の贈答品を選びたいです
おちゅうげん・おせいぼのぞうとうひんをえらびたいです
I'd like to choose a gift for seasonal giving.
POINTSummer = mid-year gift, winter = year-end gift
この食材にはどんな意味があるのですか
このしょくざいにはどんないみがあるのですか
What does this ingredient symbolize?
POINTOsechi is a treasure trove of lucky charms
春の旬の魚は何ですか
はるのしゅんのさかなはなんですか
What fish is in season in spring?
POINTSea bream, sawara, firefly squid, etc.
土用の丑の日に食べるものは
どようのうしのひにたべるものは
What do you eat on the midsummer 'doyō' day?
POINTEel is the standard
お彼岸に供えるお菓子はどれですか
おひがんにそなえるおかしはどれですか
Which sweets are offered during Higan?
POINTBotamochi (spring), ohagi (autumn)
Want to practice these phrases out loud?
ECHO app offers native audio and AI pronunciation feedback for real practice.
Practice with ECHO App →Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the meaning and content of osechi?
A. Assorted lucky charms to eat on New Year's Day. Each item has a wish, such as black beans (work diligently), herring roe (prosperity of descendants), rice fields (rich grains), and chestnut kinton (luck with money).
Q. How to eat ehomaki
A. Futomaki is eaten in one sitting on Setsubun (February 3rd) while facing the lucky direction of the year. A new custom that originated in Kansai and spread throughout the country. Related stores will start accepting reservations from mid-January.
Q. What is the average price for mid-year gifts and year-end gifts?
A. Generally 3,000 to 10,000 yen. Mid-year gifts are given from early to mid-July, and year-end gifts are given from early December to around the 20th. Recently, an increasing number of families are not sending gifts due to the ban on ``Kurei'', but it is still an important custom among business partners.
Q. Choosing seasonal ingredients
A. Spring = bamboo shoots and strawberries, summer = cucumbers and watermelons, autumn = saury, chestnuts, and matsutake mushrooms, and winter = crabs, radish, and yellowtail. Supermarkets also have special events every month such as ``Seasonal Taste Fair.''
Q. Is it difficult to make event meals at home?
A. It's difficult to make everything by hand, but the mainstream method is to buy ready-made items at the supermarket and put them together. Recently, the restaurant industry has become more popular, with products such as ``Osechi set'' and ``Ehomaki pre-order''.