Haruharutei -

— Ganbatte kudasai, and may your transition be gentle.

Watch the steam rise. Feel the warmth of the mug against your hands. Take a slow, intentional sip. haruharutei

Historically, in the lunar calendar, the period between Setsubun (the day before the beginning of spring) and the first true warming of the earth was considered a "weak" or "transitional" time. Demons (Oni) of winter were forced out, but the gods of spring had not yet fully arrived. Haruharutei is the ritual of holding a space—both physically and mentally—during this void. It is the act of sitting in the "pavilion" of your own mind while the seasons fight their eternal battle. — Ganbatte kudasai, and may your transition be gentle

The earliest written reference to Haruharutei appears in a fragmented diary from a Heian-period court lady (c. 1021 CE). She describes the Emperor’s procession pausing in a grove of ume (plum) trees that had bloomed prematurely during a snowstorm. The courtiers did not proceed; instead, they unfurled screens, composed linked verse, and drank warm sake for three hours. They called this spontaneous retreat Haruharutei —a temporary pavilion built not of wood, but of intention. Take a slow, intentional sip

While "Haruharutei" is a specific establishment in Tokyo, the phrase "Haru Haru" also exists in other contexts, such as the Korean term for "day by day". However, in the context of this Setagaya restaurant, it evokes the freshness and rejuvenation of the spring season.

The restaurant is celebrated for its traditional approach to dining, often focusing on seasonal ingredients and classic Japanese techniques.