Hachinoko
Sweet soy-simmered wasp larvae
Think of it as: Like candied nuts that happen to be baby wasps
Looks alarming. Tastes creamy.
What does it taste like?
Sweet-savory soy glaze with a creamy, nutty center.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureA little pop, then creamy
What is it?
Wasp and bee larvae simmered sweet and salty in soy sauce, or cooked into rice. A traditional mountain delicacy from Nagano and other parts of central Japan, dug from underground nests in autumn.
How locals eat it
Spooned over rice or cooked into hachinoko rice; jars are sold at Nagano souvenir shops.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇯🇵Japan
CapitalTokyo
Populationabout 122 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesCars, Electronic components and machinery, Tourism, Anime and games
Common surnamesSato, Suzuki, TakahashiFrom national statistics and surname surveys; rankings vary by source
HelloKonnichiwa
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Fun factFunazushi is the ancestor of today's nigiri sushi
The flag🇯🇵 The "Hinomaru": a red circle on white, standing for the sun.
Best timeMarch to April for cherry blossoms and October to November for fall colors are the most popular.
Also trySushiRamenTempura
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Kanji, hiragana and katakana
Kanji, hiragana and katakana
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Anthem"Kimigayo"
MusicJ-pop Japanese pop that pairs perfectly with anime
SportBaseball
Shohei Ohtani (baseball; a two-way star pitching and hitting in the Major Leagues) World HeritageHimeji Castle and more National animalGreen pheasant (national bird) National flowerCherry blossom and chrysanthemum (unofficial) FestivalGion Matsuri (July, Kyoto)
MusicJ-pop Japanese pop that pairs perfectly with anime
SportBaseball
Shohei Ohtani (baseball; a two-way star pitching and hitting in the Major Leagues) World HeritageHimeji Castle and more National animalGreen pheasant (national bird) National flowerCherry blossom and chrysanthemum (unofficial) FestivalGion Matsuri (July, Kyoto)
Ingredients
- 100 g wasp larvae
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
How to make it (one way)
- Pick larvae and pupae out of the comb with tweezers.
- Rinse quickly and drain.
- Bring the seasonings to a boil.
- Add the larvae and simmer until the liquid is gone.
- Serve over rice or as a snack.
⚠️ Raiding wasp nests means getting stung. Buy them canned or jarred.