Welcome to Japanese Learning Plaza: Japan Phrase Adventure. I’m the site administrator, Miyabi.
In this post, I will explain the Japanese language and cultural background featured in the YouTube video posted on July 19, 2025, in which Alice and Shizuyo-san appear, discussing the topics of “Doyo no Ushi” and “Unagi.”
If you haven’t watched the video yet, please watch it first.
After that, we will proceed in the following order: script introduction → explanation of grammar and vocabulary → cultural background.
- Script
- Japanese Explanation
- 1. 「ねぇ、ありちゃん。うなぎを食べにいかない?(うなぎ を たべに いかない?)」
- 2. 「これがうなぎ」
- 3. 「魚は分かる?(さかな は わかる?)」
- 4. 「さかな は fish のこと ですよね?」
- 5. 「そうそう!」
- 6. 「よく知っているわね」
- 7. 「日本では夏にうなぎを食べるの(にほん では なつ に うなぎ を たべる の)」
- 8. 「今日は土用の丑といって、うなぎを食べる日なの(きょう は どようのうし と いって うなぎ を たべる ひ なの)」
- 9. 「夏は暑いでしょう?(なつ は あつい でしょう?)」
- 10. 「暑い夏にうなぎを食べると元気になるの(あつい なつ に うなぎ を たべる と げんき に なる の)」
- 11. 「だから、うなぎを食べるのよ」
- 12. 「へえ」
- 13. 「さぁ、行きましょう(さぁ、いきましょう)」
- Discover Doyo no Ushi no Hi: Japan’s Eel-Eating Summer Tradition
Script
Shizuyo:「ねぇ、ありちゃん。うなぎを食べに行かない?(うなぎ を たべに いかない?)」
Alice:「うなぎ?」
Shizuyo:「これがうなぎ。魚なの。(さかななの)魚は分かる?(さかな は わかる?)」
Alice:「さかなは fish のこと ですよね」
Shizuyo:「そうそう!よく知っているわね。日本では夏にうなぎを食べるの(にほん では なつ に うなぎ を たべるの)」
Alice:「夏はsummerのことですよね?(なつ は summer の こと ですよね?)」
Shizuyo:「そうそう!本当によく知っているわね(ほんとう に よく しっている わね)」
Shizuyo:「今日は土用の丑といって、うなぎを食べる日なの(きょう は どようのうし といって、うなぎ を たべる ひ なの)」
Shizuyo:「夏は暑いでしょう?(なつ は あつい でしょう?)」
Shizuyo:「暑い夏にうなぎをたべると、元気になるの(あつい なつ に うなぎ を たべる と 、げんき に なるの)」
Shizuyo:「だから、うなぎ を たべる のよ」
Alice:「へぇ」
Shizuyo:「さぁ、行きましょう」
Alice:「はい」
End of Script
Japanese Explanation
1. 「ねぇ、ありちゃん。うなぎを食べにいかない?(うなぎ を たべに いかない?)」
“ねぇ” is a common phrase used to get someone’s attention when speaking.
“うなぎ”: eel
“食べに行く(たべに いく)”: to go eat
“〜しない?”: a casual and friendly way to invite someone to do something, like “Shall we…?”
2. 「これがうなぎ」
This line is often asked about regarding the difference between “これがうなぎ” and “これはうなぎ.”
While the meaning is mostly the same, using “が” emphasizes that this is the specific item being discussed, often something previously mentioned or of interest.
3. 「魚は分かる?(さかな は わかる?)」
In casual spoken Japanese, subjects and objects are often omitted.
The full sentence would be「あなたは魚という単語が分かりますか?」 “Do you understand the word ‘sakana’ (fish)?”
Though simple, this sentence might be hard to grasp without context if you’re used to textbook Japanese.
4. 「さかな は fish のこと ですよね?」
This means: “Sakana refers to fish, right?”
The phrase “〇〇ですよね?” is used when you are almost sure about something but still want confirmation.
Example: 「しずよさんは70歳ですよね?」 = “Shizuyo-san is 70 years old, right?”
5. 「そうそう!」
This is a casual agreement or confirmation, like “Yes, yes!” or “Exactly!”
Other variations: “そう” or “そうよ”.
6. 「よく知っているわね」
“You really know well, don’t you?”
“知る(しる)” means “to know”.
7. 「日本では夏にうなぎを食べるの(にほん では なつ に うなぎ を たべる の)」
“In Japan, we eat unagi in the summer.”
The pattern “〇〇では〜” indicates a location or context, e.g., “我が家では〜(わがや では)” = “At my house…”
8. 「今日は土用の丑といって、うなぎを食べる日なの(きょう は どようのうし と いって うなぎ を たべる ひ なの)」
“Today is called ‘Doyo no Ushi,’ and it’s a day when we eat unagi.”
9. 「夏は暑いでしょう?(なつ は あつい でしょう?)」
“Summer is hot, isn’t it?”
“〇〇でしょう?” is a common way to seek agreement or confirmation.
10. 「暑い夏にうなぎを食べると元気になるの(あつい なつ に うなぎ を たべる と げんき に なる の)」
“Eating unagi during the hot summer gives you energy.”
11. 「だから、うなぎを食べるのよ」
“That’s why we eat unagi.”
“だから” means “therefore” or “that’s why.”
12. 「へえ」
This is a casual response of interest or acknowledgment, similar to “Oh,” or “Really.”
Be aware that tone and expression can affect how sincere it sounds.
13. 「さぁ、行きましょう(さぁ、いきましょう)」
“Alright, let’s go.”
“さぁ” is often used to transition or shift topics.
“行きましょう(いきましょう)” is a polite invitation, the base form being “行く(いく)” (to go).
Discover Doyo no Ushi no Hi: Japan’s Eel-Eating Summer Tradition
If you’re in Japan during July, you may notice a curious seasonal custom: a surge in grilled eel dishes and long lines outside specialty restaurants. This is no coincidence — it’s all about Doyo no Ushi no Hi, or the “Day of the Ox” in midsummer, a uniquely Japanese tradition of eating eel (unagi) to combat the heat and fatigue of summer.
What Is Doyo no Ushi no Hi?
The origins of this custom date back to the Edo period (1603–1868). In ancient times, it was believed that eating certain foods beginning with the “u” sound (like unagi) on the “Day of the Ox” would help restore stamina and balance the body’s energy. Eventually, thanks to a clever marketing campaign by a well-known scholar named Hiraga Gennai, eating grilled eel became synonymous with this day — and it stuck!
In 2025, Doyo no Ushi no Hi falls on July 19, but don’t worry if you miss it — July 31 is also an Ox Day this year! So you have two great chances to join in.
Does Eel Really Help with Summer Fatigue?
Japanese summers are hot and humid, often leaving people drained and sluggish. Eel is considered a nutritional powerhouse — rich in protein, vitamins A and B, DHA, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are believed to help restore energy, promote healthy skin, and even support brain function. While scientific data on curing “natsubate” (summer fatigue) is limited, many people swear by it as a revitalizing food.
A Traditional Energy Booster for Men, Too?
Historically, eel was also regarded as a natural aphrodisiac in Japan. Its high protein and vitamin content led to beliefs that it could enhance male stamina and sexual vitality. Though modern medicine doesn’t officially classify eel as a libido booster, the association remains in popular culture.
What Does Eel Taste Like?
Eel has a rich, tender texture and is packed with flavorful fat — especially prized in high-quality varieties. The most popular way to prepare it is kabayaki: the eel is filleted, grilled, then basted with a sweet-savory glaze made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. The result is a caramelized, smoky, and umami-rich dish.
When served over a bed of fluffy white rice, it becomes unadon (eel bowl). If presented in a beautiful lacquered bento box, it’s called unajū. A dash of sanshō, a fragrant peppery spice, adds a refreshing citrusy kick that complements the richness of the eel.
Try It — Even If It’s Not an Ox Day!
Whether or not you eat it on Doyo no Ushi no Hi, grilled eel is a delicious and deeply traditional dish worth experiencing. Its combination of bold flavor, tender texture, and nutritional benefits has kept it a beloved Japanese delicacy for centuries.
So if you’re in Japan this summer, don’t hesitate — treat yourself to a bite of unagi. You might just find yourself energized and craving more!