There’s a plant that always tells me spring has arrived.
It’s not something rare or special. In fact, it grows almost everywhere in Japan.
It’s called yomogi — known in English as Japanese mugwort, and often called the “queen of Japanese herbs.”
Hi, I’m Yumi. Today, I want to share a little story about this humble plant, and what it means to me.
What is Japanese Mugwort (Yomogi)?
A wild herb that grows naturally across Japan, used for centuries in traditional sweets, teas, and folk medicine. Known as the “queen of Japanese herbs,” it’s prized for its earthy scent and gentle medicinal qualities.
Yomogi is a wild plant that grows all across Japan.
It’s so strong and resilient that people sometimes say you should never plant Japanese mugwort in your garden — because once it grows, it spreads quickly and is hard to control.
For generations, this wild herb has been part of everyday life in Japan.
It’s believed to support circulation, help detox the body, and promote overall well-being. Because of this, mugwort is often used in teas, sweets, oils, and traditional remedies.
A Childhood Memory: My Grandmother’s Mochi
For me, yomogi is more than just a plant.
It’s a memory.
When I was a child, my grandmother used to make yomogi mochi every spring. In our family, we simply called it kusa mochi — “grass mochi.”
She would pick the young leaves, knead them into the dough, and fill the house with that distinct, earthy scent.
To be honest, I didn’t like it very much back then.
The smell was strong, almost too strong for a child.
But now, as an adult, that same scent feels deeply nostalgic.
Somehow, I’ve come to love it.
Discovering Japanese Mugwort Again
Before moving to this island, I had never picked yomogi myself.
It was always something someone else made — a treat brought by relatives, or something I bought at a shop.
I never thought about using it on my own.
That changed when I noticed Japanese mugwort growing near our home.
Out of curiosity, I decided to try making a simple yomogi balm.
That small moment became the beginning.
A reminder that something familiar can become new, if you look at it again.
Now, every spring, I find myself gathering yomogi and experimenting with different ways to use it.
Living With the Seasons
Since moving to the countryside, I feel like I’ve rediscovered a sense of seasonality.
I pay more attention to what’s growing around me. I use what is available right now.
It’s a very simple way of living.
But somehow, it’s something I had forgotten — surrounded by convenience stores, supermarkets, and the rhythm of city life.
The Reality of Foraging in the Countryside
I once received a comment on YouTube saying, “I live in the city, so the only mugwort I can find is affected by pollution.”
It made me think.
Here in the countryside, the air may feel cleaner. But that doesn’t necessarily mean everything is untouched.
There are many farms nearby, and pesticides or herbicides are sometimes used.
There are even cases of aerial spraying for pest control.
So even here, we have to be mindful about where we forage Japanese mugwort.
A Scent That Connects Past and Present
There is something special about the scent of yomogi.
It brings back distant memories — and at the same time, it helps create new ones.
Since I started noticing this wild herb again, this season has become something I look forward to every year.
And maybe, when our daughter is older, she’ll remember this scent too — the way I remember my grandmother’s kitchen.
I hope that one day, this small joy can be passed on to the next generation.
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