Each year McDonald’s in Japan releases a popular limited time menu item, the Tsukimi Burger (月見バーガー, literally moon-viewing burger), available only during Autumn. The Tsukimi Burger is a hamburger that contains a poached egg with the yolk representing the moon on an egg white sky, a hamburger patty, bacon and a special teriyaki-like sauce. The year 2010 marks the 20th year anniversary of this seasonal specialty burger.

This article is a submission for the Japan Blog Matsuri hosted by Surviving in Japan with the theme “Fall is the season for eating (食欲の秋)”.

Scientific evidence collected by Japan’s Whale Research Program can be consumed at Lucky Pierrot, a Japanese burger chain based in the port of Hakodate on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaidō.

Hamburger Lucky Pierrot

Early November 2008, a mysterious fast-food restaurant called Quarter Pounder appeared in two specialty locations in Tokyo. Just weeks before both locations were McDonald’s restaurants however the Quarter Pounder restaurant had suddenly emerged in their place. There was much fanfare and people queued in long orderly lines as word got out that the Quarter Pounder was the thing to try.

The Quarter Pounder stores had minimalistic décor and no sign of brand or markings to indicate that these new stores were affiliated with McDonald’s. All of the old wall coverings, fixtures and furniture and had been removed and the interior had been painted black and red, giving it a cabaret club look.

It is worth noting that the Quarter Pounder has not been available in Japanese McDonald’s restaurants for almost 30 years.

Quarter Pounder storefront

A queue at the QP store

Quarter Pounder service counter

Quarter Pounder meal

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