Ohagi おはぎ

“Ohagi” or “Botamochi” are typical Japanese sweets which are eaten during the Higan period. They are round or oval shaped sticky rice balls coated in a sweetened red bean paste called “Anko”.

The name Ohagi and Botamochi come from seasonal flowers. Ohagi is named after the hagi flower (bush clover), which blooms in autumn and Botamochi comes from the botan flower (peony) which blooms in the spring. The red color of the beans is believed to expel evil and bring a good harvest. So, during the Higan periods in March and September, people eat Ohagi or Botamochi, show appreciation to the gods, and pray for their ancestors.

Although Ohagi or Botamochi are sold at supermarkets and sweets shops before the Higan season, they are easy to make at home using a rice cooker. Depending on your preference, Ohagi or Botamochi can be coated in kinako, sweetened soybean flour, or ground sesame instead of red bean paste, which is also nice.