Today, a savory topic is sizzling on Japanese Twitter: 焼肉の日, or Yakiniku Day. This delicious day celebrates the art of grilling meat, and it’s no surprise that it’s trending among netizens. With summer drawing to a close, what better way to beat the summer blues than by grilling them away?

As highlighted in a recent All About News survey, August 29 was selected as the most fitting “commemoration day” for yakiniku (grilled meat) by people across Japan. The reason? A clever play on numbers: ‘焼’ (ya) means grill, which is associated with the number 8 (as ‘ya’ is the first syllable of ‘eight’ in Japanese, ‘やっつ’, or ‘yattsu’), and ‘肉’ (niku) means meat, which sounds like the number 29 (‘にく’, or ’niku’). Hence, August 29 (8/29) is the perfect day to celebrate yakiniku!

This delightful play on words is a hallmark of Japanese culture, similar to the netizen-made festivals mentioned before in this blog. People all over Japan will be sharing their grilling adventures on social media, from meticulously marinated beef slices to sizzling seafood spreads.

Yakiniku, which translates to “grilled meat,” is more than just a meal in Japan; it’s a communal experience. Friends and family gather around a grill, either at home or a yakiniku restaurant, and cook various cuts of meat and vegetables together. It’s a time for bonding, laughter, and, of course, indulging in delicious food.

And let’s not forget the drinks! A cold beer or a cup of sake is the perfect companion to the grilled delicacies. Just remember, it’s all about moderation - both in the drink and the meats. We don’t want to turn “grilling the blues away” into “grilling until you’re blue in the face”, now, do we?

As the sun sets on summer, there’s no better way to say goodbye than with a belly full of grilled goodness. So, grab your tongs, fire up the grill, and let’s toast to Yakiniku Day, a tradition that’s as heartwarming as the grill is hot.