Autumn in Japan is beautiful.

The air gets cooler.

The leaves turn gold.

And entire streets glow beneath brilliant yellow ginkgo trees.

Then you notice something.

What is that smell? 😳

Look down.

Those little yellow-orange fruits scattered across the pavement?

They're from the same gorgeous trees everyone is photographing.

And hidden inside...

is something people in Japan eat.

Welcome to ginnan (銀杏) — the ginkgo nut.

What Is Ginnan?

Ginnan (銀杏) are the edible seeds of the ginkgo tree.

In autumn, female ginkgo trees produce fleshy yellow-orange fruits containing a hard-shelled seed.

Inside that shell is the part people eat.

Ginnan have a distinctive flavor and slightly chewy, soft texture.

You'll find them in traditional Japanese dishes, skewered and grilled, or simply roasted with salt.

But getting to that tasty little seed?

That's where things get interesting.

How Do You Pronounce Ginnan?

Approximately:

geen-nahn

In Japanese:

銀杏

Ginnan.

Here's something confusing, though.

The same kanji 銀杏 can also be associated with the ginkgo tree, commonly called:

Ichō (イチョウ)

So:

🌳 Ichō — ginkgo tree
🟡 Ginnan — ginkgo nut

Same plant.

Very different experience.

Why Do Ginkgo Fruits Smell So Bad?

This is the part you won't forget.

When ripe ginkgo fruits fall onto the ground and their fleshy outer layer begins to break down...

they smell.

Really smell.

People compare the odor to things like:

Old cheese.

Vomit.

Rancid butter.

Not exactly the fragrance you'd expect from one of Japan's most beautiful autumn trees.

And if someone steps on the fallen fruit?

Well...

now the smell is coming with you. 👟

Wait... People Eat Them?

Yes!

But you're not eating the smelly outer fruit.

Inside is a hard shell.

And inside that is the edible seed.

Once prepared, ginnan can have a beautiful pale green or yellow-green color.

The flavor is mild but distinctive — slightly bitter, nutty and earthy.

It's one of those foods where you might wonder:

Who smelled that fruit and thought, “There must be something delicious inside”?

Fortunately...

someone did.

How Is Ginnan Eaten in Japan?

Ginnan appears in several Japanese dishes, particularly during autumn.

You might find it:

🔥 Roasted
🧂 Served with salt
🍢 Grilled on skewers
🍚 Mixed into seasonal dishes
🥚 Added to chawanmushi

Simple preparations are common because ginnan already has such a distinctive flavor and texture.

A few roasted ginnan with salt can also appear as a small snack alongside drinks.

What Is Ginnan in Chawanmushi?

If you've eaten chawanmushi, you may have already encountered ginnan.

Chawanmushi is a savory Japanese steamed egg custard.

Inside the silky egg mixture, you might discover ingredients such as:

🍄 Mushrooms
🍗 Chicken
🍤 Shrimp
🌰 Ginnan

Finding that little ginkgo seed hidden near the bottom is part of the experience.

Soft egg custard.

Then suddenly...

ginnan.

Why Is Ginnan Associated With Autumn?

Ginkgo fruits ripen and fall during autumn.

At the same time, the tree's fan-shaped leaves turn an extraordinary bright yellow.

That makes ginkgo one of Japan's most recognizable signs of the season.

Autumn streets can become covered in:

💛 Golden leaves above.

💛 Golden leaves below.

🟡 Suspicious little fruits you probably shouldn't step on.

Beautiful?

Absolutely.

Watch your shoes? Also absolutely.

What Is an Ichō Namiki (イチョウ並木)?

Ichō namiki (イチョウ並木) means a row or avenue of ginkgo trees.

During autumn, these streets can become spectacular.

Hundreds of yellow leaves create a golden canopy overhead.

Then fallen leaves cover the pavement below.

It's one of Japan's classic autumn scenes.

People come to:

📸 Take photos
🚶 Walk beneath the trees
🍂 Enjoy the autumn colors
💛 Admire the golden leaves

Just remember...

look at the trees.

And occasionally look where you're walking.

Why Are There So Many Ginkgo Trees in Japanese Cities?

Ginkgo trees are widely planted along streets, in parks, around temples and shrines, and in other public spaces in Japan.

They're especially noticeable in autumn because their leaves can turn an intense, almost uniform yellow.

Unlike the reds and oranges associated with Japanese maple trees, ginkgo gives autumn Japan another signature color:

gold. 💛

Entire avenues can seem to change almost overnight.

Are Ginkgo Trees Ancient?

Very.

Ginkgo trees belong to an extremely ancient lineage of plants.

Their relatives existed millions of years before humans.

Today, Ginkgo biloba is the only living species remaining in its broader ancient group.

That's one reason ginkgo is sometimes described as a “living fossil.”

So that tree dropping smelly fruit onto the sidewalk?

Its family history goes back...

a very, very long way.

Can You Eat Ginnan Raw?

Ginnan should not be eaten raw, and even cooked ginkgo seeds should be eaten in moderation.

The seeds naturally contain compounds that can be toxic when consumed in excessive amounts, with children particularly vulnerable to poisoning.

So this isn't a snack to eat by the handful.

In Japanese cooking, ginnan is typically prepared and served in small quantities.

A few?

Traditional autumn treat.

A giant bowl?

Not the plan.

Can You Pick Up Ginnan From the Ground?

You may see people gathering fallen ginkgo fruits during autumn.

But handling the fleshy outer layer isn't particularly pleasant.

Besides the strong odor, it can irritate some people's skin.

The seed must also be cleaned and properly prepared before eating.

So for most visitors...

admiring the golden leaves is the easier autumn activity. 🍂

Fun Facts About Ginnan

• Ginnan (銀杏) are ginkgo seeds eaten in Japan.
• The ginkgo tree is commonly called ichō (イチョウ).
• Ginkgo leaves turn brilliant yellow in autumn.
• The fleshy fruit surrounding the seed has a famously strong smell.
• The edible portion is found inside a hard shell.
• Ginnan can be roasted, grilled or added to Japanese dishes.
• They're a traditional ingredient in chawanmushi.
• Ginkgo trees belong to an extremely ancient plant lineage.
• Ginnan should be cooked and eaten only in moderation.
• Ginkgo-lined streets are a famous part of Japan's autumn scenery.

Beautiful leaves.

Smelly fruit.

Edible seed.

Ginkgo really does contain multitudes. 💛

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ginnan?

Ginnan (銀杏) is the edible seed of the ginkgo tree.

It's eaten in Japan in dishes such as chawanmushi or prepared simply by roasting or grilling.

How do you pronounce ginnan?

Approximately:

geen-nahn.

What is a ginkgo tree called in Japanese?

The ginkgo tree is commonly called:

Ichō (イチョウ).

Why does ginkgo fruit smell bad?

The fleshy outer portion of ripe ginkgo fruit produces strong-smelling compounds as it breaks down, creating its famously unpleasant odor.

Can you eat ginkgo nuts?

Yes, when properly prepared.

However, they shouldn't be eaten raw or consumed in excessive quantities.

What does ginnan taste like?

Ginnan has a mild, slightly bitter and earthy flavor with a distinctive soft, somewhat chewy texture.

When is ginnan season in Japan?

Ginnan is strongly associated with autumn, when ginkgo fruits ripen and the trees turn brilliant yellow.

Is ginnan used in chawanmushi?

Yes.

Ginnan is a traditional ingredient sometimes found inside Japanese savory steamed egg custard, chawanmushi.

🇯🇵 Keep Discovering Japan

If you enjoyed discovering ginnan, explore Momijigari (紅葉狩り), Japan's tradition of autumn leaf viewing, and discover why people go “hunting” for Japan's spectacular red and golden leaves. 🍁

 

👋 Meet a JapPop Resident

Donno Pudding

知らんプリン

Donno Pudding sees everything.

Ask him what happened?

“Dunno.” 🤷

Ask him who ate the last ginnan?

“Dunno.”

He’s not confused.

He simply believes not everything deserves his attention. 🍮

👉 Meet Donno Pudding and discover more residents from the JapPop Universe.

🇯🇵 About JapPop

At JapPop, we celebrate Japanese culture through playful illustrations, original characters, and stories inspired by everyday life in Japan.

From beloved foods and traditional festivals to folklore, historical figures, seasonal customs, lucky gods, and language, every article introduces another piece of Japan—and another story worth discovering.

Sometimes Japanese culture is hidden in an ancient tradition.

Sometimes it's waiting inside a bowl of chawanmushi.

And sometimes...

it's the reason you're wondering what smells so bad under that beautiful yellow tree. 💛😅

Discover Japan, one story at a time. 🇯🇵✨