14th Annual Mochitsuki Event – Jan 19, 2024

On Friday, January 19th, we hosted Mochitsuki event that had been suspended for 4 years due to the pandemic. Despite the fact that it had not been held for a while, a record number of approximately 290 people attended the event.
A farmer from Keihoku area brought a traditional mochitsuki machine with a foot pedal, and some of the participants got to pound mochi with it. In addition to the normal mochi, we also served natto (fermented soybeans) mochi with natto that the farmer made.
Participants enjoyed freshly made mochi with anko (sweet soybean paste), kinako (sweet soybean flour), and zouni (vegetable soup), making for a fun and very lively event. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the students who worked with us!

14th Annual Mochitsuki Event – 2021, 2022, 2023

Unfortunately, the 14th Annual Mochitsuki Event was canceled to due to the pandemic.

13th Annual Mochitsuki Event – Jan 21, 2020

On Tuesday, January 21st, we hosted the 13th Mochitsuki. Japanese and international students, faculty, staff, and a variety of people gathered, bringing the total number of participants to 270. Some of the participants had never seen or heard of mochitsuki, and they enjoyed watching the process and actually trying to make mochi. We would like to thank all those who participated and the students who helped out!

12th Annual Mochitsuki Event – Jan 22, 2019

On Tue, January 22nd, we hosted the 12th Mochitsuki, and 270 people joined the event under a nice weather. The event was a success, with participants enjoying the freshly made rice cakes and actually trying their hand at making rice cakes. Thank you everyone for joining us and thank you to the tutors for your incredible work!

11th Annual Mochitsuki Event – Jan 18, 2018

On Wed, January 18th, around 250 people attended the 11th Mochitsuki. Some of the participants ate mochi for the first time, and some tried pounding mochi, making for a fun and frindly event. 

10th Annual Mochitsuki Event – Jan 18, 2017

On Jan 18 (Wed), we had more than 200 people at our annual Mochitsuki Event. Among the participants were short-time exchange students from abroad. They seemed to be enjoying their first-ever traditional Japanese experience. Big thanks to the tutors for your great help!

9th Annual Mochitsuki Event – Jan 20, 2016

On Jan 20 (Wed), a very cold and snowy day, more than 180 people participated in our Mochitsuki Event.
For some of the international students and researchers, it was their first time eating mochi. Everyone enjoyed the freshly-made, warm mochi in a cheerful atmosphere!

Eighth rice cake making (Mochitsuki), January, 21, 2015

On January 21, rice cake making gathering was held as planned without any rain, though the weather was worried before. More than one hundred and fifty people, including international students, regular students, visiting scholars, and faculty in North Campus came and had mochi with kinako (soy bean powder), anko (sweet red bean paste), daikon oroshi (grated daikon radish) and warm Zouni soup. Participants enjoyed fresh mochi that they just had made with others and Japanese new year atmosphere.

Seventh rice cake making (Mochitsuki), January, 16, 2014

On　January 16, rice cake making gathering was held as scheduled in the space next to the bldg #2. About 180 people, including international students, visiting scholars, faculty, and regular students in North Campus came and enjoyed the warm rice cakes with Zouni Soup, sweet bean paste and grated daikon, etc. Many students and faculty helped a lot. Thank you very much!

Sixth rice cake making (Mochitsuki), January, 16, 2013

On　January 16, rice cake making gathering was held as scheduled , favored by lovely weather, in the space next to the bldg #2. More than two hundred people, including international students, visiting scholars, faculty, and regular students in North Campus came and enjoyed the warm rice cakes. Help by many of the students and faculty made the mochitsuki event extremely successful. Thank you very much!

Fifth rice cake making (Mochitsuki), Jaunary, 11, 2012

Our fifth annual rice cake making event (mochitsuki) was held on January 11, in the space just east of Graduate School of Agriculture Bldg 2. More than two hundred people, including international students, visiting scholars, faculty, and regular students in North Campus got together and enjoyed the warm rice cakes in soup or with kinako (soy bean powder), anko (sweet red bean paste), or daikon oroshi (grated daikon radish) after pounding rice. Everybody enjoyed not only the delicious rice cakes but also the active conversation with others, making the mochitsuki event extremely successful. Many of the students and faculty helped us prepare the event. Thank you very much!

Rice cake making (Mochitsuki), January, 18, 2011

Our rice cake making event (mochitsuki) was held on January 18, 2011, in the space just east of Graduate School of Agriculture Bldg 2, with a thin layer of snow still on the ground. About one hundred fifty people, including international students, visiting scholars, faculty, and regular students in North Campus came down and enjoyed the rice pounding, then happily filled their mouths with the warm rice cakes in soup or with kinako (soy bean powder), anko (sweet red bean paste), or daikon oroshi (grated daikon radish). International students new to rice cake pounding raised and lowered the mallet with vigor, and with the soft, warm rice cakes directly before their eyes, all language barriers suddenly disappeared as they enjoyed the delicious rice cakes together. Many of the students and faculty helped us prepare the event from the day before and make it a great success. Thank you very much!

Mochitsuki Celemony 2010