On December 22, Japan marks more than an astronomical event. It is Tōji (冬至), the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Yet, as is often the case in Japanese culture, a natural phenomenon becomes an occasion filled with symbolic meaning, everyday rituals, and seasonal wisdom that connect body, mind, and nature.

This day is also known as Yuzu no Hi (柚子の日) — Yuzu Day. It is centered on one of Japan’s most iconic winter citrus fruits and accompanied by traditions that are still widely practiced today: the yuzu bath and the custom of eating kabocha, Japanese winter squash.

What Is Tōji and Why It Matters

Astronomically, Tōji marks the moment when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky. From this day onward, daylight begins to slowly increase.

In traditional Japanese thought — influenced by yin-yang philosophy, seasonal cycles, and Buddhism — this moment represents a profound turning point. Darkness has reached its peak, and precisely because of that, light can begin its return.

It is not an ending, but a quiet reversal.

Yuzu no Hi: Why Yuzu?

Yuzu (柚子) is a uniquely Japanese citrus fruit, uneven in shape and intensely aromatic, somewhere between lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit. While used sparingly in cuisine, yuzu takes center stage in winter as a symbol of protection and renewal.

On Tōji, households and public bathhouses practice Yuzu-yu (柚子湯) — a hot bath with whole yuzu fruits floating in the water.

Why take a yuzu bath?

According to tradition and popular belief, Yuzu-yu:

• helps prevent colds and winter illnesses

• improves blood circulation

• relaxes muscles and calms the nervous system

• soothes dry winter skin

• uplifts the spirit through its refreshing citrus fragrance

But the meaning goes beyond physical health.

A Play on Words That Becomes a Ritual

In Japanese, yuzu sounds similar to the verb “yuzuru” (譲る), meaning to let go or to yield.Bathing with yuzu on the winter solstice symbolically represents:

👉 letting go of misfortune, bad luck, and accumulated negativity from the past year

It is a gentle act of release — no drama, no spectacle, just warm water, scent, and intention.

Kabocha: The Winter Squash That Sustains

Alongside the yuzu bath, there is another essential custom: eating kabocha (かぼちゃ), Japanese winter squash.

Unlike many Western pumpkins, kabocha has dense, sweet flesh and is extremely nutritious. It is rich in:

• vitamin A

• beta-carotene

• dietary fiber

• antioxidants

Historically, winter was a time of limited food availability. Kabocha, which stores well, became an important source of energy and nutrients. Eating it on Tōji was believed to strengthen the body and help people endure the harsh months ahead.

Even today, many Japanese families observe this tradition, preparing kabocha simmered dishes, tempura, or simple home-style meals.

Ichiyō Raifuku: When Fortune Turns

Tōji is also associated with a beautiful and lesser-known expression:Ichiyō Raifuku (一陽来復).

It can be translated as:

The idea is that:

• misfortune reaches its limit at the winter solstice

• from this moment on, luck begins to shift

• improvement happens slowly, almost invisibly

This concept perfectly reflects the Japanese relationship with time: not sudden breakthroughs, but gradual rebalancing.

Not a Public Holiday, Yet Deeply Observed

Tōji is not a national holiday. There are no festivals or official ceremonies. And yet:

• onsen and sentō promote yuzu baths

• supermarkets prominently display yuzu and kabocha

• families quietly continue the tradition at home

This is one of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese culture:its deepest traditions do not need to be announced — they simply continue to exist.

A Quiet Lesson from Japan

Yuzu no Hi offers a message that resonates far beyond Japan.

Change does not always arrive with noise or celebration. Sometimes it comes through:

• a warm bath

• a citrus scent

• a simple seasonal meal

• the awareness that the worst has already passed, even if we cannot yet feel it

On the darkest day of the year, Japan does not celebrate sudden brightness.It honors the moment when light begins its slow return.

And that, perhaps, is its most powerful lesson.

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