Persimmon Season in Japan

 One of my favorite things about autumn in Japan are the persimmons. Whether they are hanging from bare trees or drying on the side of countryside homes nestled between rice fields and mountains, I love their cheerful bursts of color and their sweet taste. Today we had the opportunity to pick persimmons and to prepare them for drying. Dried persimmons are known as hoshi-gaki. After peeling them, cleaning them, and dipping them in boiling water we strung them on long strands of rope. They will hang outside for four -six days and then they will be ready for enjoying as a sweet autumnal treat.