cultural activities

Tsukimi ("moon viewing") is a japanese traditional festival which honours the first autumnal full moon, in the middle of september (and the night of the 15th of august, jugo ya, according to the lunar calendar).
On this occasion, in the agricultural areas of Japan, one celebrates the end of the harvests and one returns thanks to the moon.
This Chinese custom was introduced in Japan in the Heian era (794-1185). In that time the imperial court nobelity liked to gather in the moonlight to compose poems and to listen to music...
The contemplation of the autumnal full moon became a popular custom during the Edo era (1603-1868), the peasants in particular integrated it in their rites marking the end of the harvests' season.

When the night comes, one gathers in family or between friends in places well exposed to the moonlight.

According to a chinese legend, the moon is inhabited by two rabbits. And, in the 15th of september's evening, one can see them in the moon preparing rice pancakes...

The Japanese equivalent of the Man in the Moon is a rabbit that works hard everyday making mochi. The rabbit-in-the-moon legend is said to have come from China or Buddhist India, but the belief that he is making mochi is unique to Japan.