The celebration of the full moon typically takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month of the traditional Japanese calendar, known as Jūgoya (十五夜, fifteenth night);[1] the waxing moon is celebrated on the 13th day of the ninth month, known as Jūsan'ya (十三夜, thirteenth night).

The tradition dates to the Heian era,[citation needed] and is now so popular in Japan that some people repeat the activities for several evenings following the appearance of the full moon during the eighth lunisolar month.

Members of the aristocratic class would hold moon-viewing events aboard boats in order to view the Moon's reflection on the surface of the water.

There are specific terms in Japanese to refer to occasions when the Moon is not visible on the traditional mid-autumn evening, including Mugetsu (無月, "no-moon") and Ugetsu (雨月, "rain-moon").

In Kitakyushu an egg served atop yaki udon is known as Tenmado, another name for Tsukimi in the local dialect.

At some Japanese fast food restaurants, a special Fall Menu is offered during September and October featuring fried egg sandwiches known as Tsukimi burgers.