(And Why It’s Different from Many Other Countries)
Exchange rate reference: 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY (Nov 2025)
🇯🇵 Raw Eggs? Completely Normal in Japan
In many countries, eating raw eggs is considered risky.
In Japan, it’s completely normal.
When I first learned that people in some countries don’t eat raw eggs at all, I was honestly shocked.
My first reaction was:
“Wait… then you can’t eat tamago kake gohan?!”
For me, that felt almost unthinkable.
Because in Japan, raw eggs are not strange.
They’re everyday food.
🧪 Why Raw Eggs Are Considered Safe in Japan
The key difference is how eggs are produced and managed.
Japan’s egg distribution system assumes that some people will eat eggs raw. Because of that, safety control is extremely strict.
✔ Farm-Level Hygiene & Vaccination
Many poultry farms vaccinate hens against salmonella and follow tight hygiene controls.
✔ Washing & Inspection
Eggs in Japan are:
- Washed and sanitized
- Inspected using light scanning systems
- Quickly refrigerated during distribution
✔ Expiration Dates for Raw Consumption
Japanese egg cartons often show a “best before” date specifically intended for eating raw.
After that date, cooking is recommended.
This is an important difference from some countries, where eggs are sold assuming they will be cooked.
📊 Is It Really Safe?
Japan has one of the lowest salmonella contamination rates in eggs globally.
That does not mean zero risk — no food anywhere is 100% risk-free.
But statistically, the risk is very low when eggs are:
- Stored properly
- Refrigerated
- Consumed before the labeled date
That’s why raw egg dishes are widely accepted.
🍚 The Most Popular Raw Egg Dish: Tamago Kake Gohan (卵かけご飯)
If there is one symbol of raw egg culture in Japan, it’s this:
Tamago Kake Gohan (TKG)
Hot rice + raw egg + soy sauce.
That’s it.
The heat from the rice slightly thickens the egg, creating a silky, creamy texture.
It’s simple.
It’s comforting.
It’s incredibly popular.
Personally, I’ve loved it since early childhood.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met a Japanese person who actively dislikes tamago kake gohan. It’s that common.
Some people eat it for breakfast.
For me, I eat it whenever I feel like it.
- A light snack when I’m slightly hungry
- When dinner feels incomplete
- When I want something quick and comforting
There’s no “correct” time. It just fits naturally into daily life.
🍲 Other Common Raw Egg Dishes
🥩 Sukiyaki
Thinly sliced beef cooked in sweet soy broth, dipped into raw egg before eating.
The egg adds richness and smooth texture.
🍜 Tsukimi Udon / Soba
A raw egg cracked into hot noodle soup.
The yolk slowly blends into the broth.
These dishes are normal menu items across Japan.
👶 Do All Japanese People Eat Raw Eggs?
Not necessarily.
Some younger people eat them less frequently.
Some people simply prefer cooked eggs.
But overall, raw egg consumption is widely accepted and culturally normal.
🇺🇸 Why It’s Different from the United States
In the U.S.:
- Eggs are washed aggressively, removing the protective outer layer.
- Public health guidance strongly recommends cooking eggs fully.
- Historical salmonella outbreaks shaped consumer habits.
Japan built its egg system assuming raw consumption.
Different food systems → different safety standards → different habits.
🏪 How Much Do Eggs Cost in Japan?
Egg prices have risen in recent years due to feed costs and avian influenza.
As of late 2025:
10 eggs typically cost:
¥200–350
≈ $1.30–$2.30 USD
Even with price increases, eggs remain one of the most affordable protein sources in Japan.
⚠️ Important for Visitors
If you visit Japan:
- Buy eggs from reputable supermarkets
- Keep them refrigerated
- Check the expiration date
- Avoid raw eggs if pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised
High safety standards don’t eliminate basic food precautions.
🥚 Final Thoughts
Japanese people don’t eat raw eggs because they are reckless.
They eat them because:
- The production system supports it
- The safety standards are strict
- The taste and texture are valued
- It’s deeply embedded in everyday life
For me, raw egg on rice is not exotic.
It’s comfort food.
But learning that many countries never eat raw eggs?
That was the real surprise.
Because without raw eggs…
There’s no tamago kake gohan.
And in Japan, that would be unthinkable.