Translation guide
The act of searching for wild food resources, such as plants, mushrooms, or berries. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific verbs and nouns depending on what is being gathered and the context.
To describe the activity of gathering wild plants, herbs, or vegetables for food.
Literally 'mountain vegetable gathering'. This is the most common and natural way to refer to foraging for wild edible plants in Japan, especially in spring.
週末に山菜採りに行くのが趣味です。
My hobby is going foraging for wild vegetables on weekends.
Refers to wild edible plants themselves. Often used in compound words or phrases related to foraging.
この辺りでは春になるとたくさんの山菜が採れます。
In this area, you can gather a lot of wild edible plants in spring.
Wild grasses/herbs. Can be used in the context of foraging, but is broader and includes non-edible plants.
野草を摘んで料理に使う。
Pick wild herbs and use them in cooking.
To describe the activity of searching for wild mushrooms.
Literally 'mushroom hunting'. This is the standard term for mushroom foraging.
秋になるとキノコ狩りに出かけます。
In autumn, I go mushroom foraging.
Mushroom. Often used in compound phrases like キノコ採り (mushroom gathering).
To describe gathering wild berries or fruits.
Berry picking. Often used for activities like blueberry or raspberry picking, even if cultivated.
夏はブルーベリー摘みが楽しめます。
In summer, you can enjoy blueberry picking.
Gathering nuts and berries from trees. More general and can include acorns, chestnuts, etc.
子供たちと森で木の実拾いをしました。
I went foraging for nuts and berries in the forest with the kids.
To express the broader concept of searching for any wild food, including shellfish or insects.
Collection or gathering. A formal term used for scientific or official contexts, but also in everyday language for foraging.
野生のハーブを採取する。
Gather wild herbs.
To pick, gather, or harvest. A versatile verb used with plants, mushrooms, etc.
山で山菜を採る。
Forage for wild vegetables in the mountains.
To hunt. Used in compounds like キノコ狩り, but not typically used alone for foraging.
キノコを狩る。
Hunt for mushrooms.
To describe gathering shellfish, seaweed, or other marine life.
Clam digging or shellfish gathering at low tide. A popular leisure activity in Japan.
潮干狩りでアサリをたくさん採りました。
I gathered a lot of clams while shellfish foraging.
Playing on the rocky shore, often involving collecting small sea creatures. Not strictly foraging, but related.
子供の頃、磯遊びでカニやヤドカリを捕まえた。
As a child, I caught crabs and hermit crabs while playing on the shore.
採る (toru) is used for gathering plants, fruits, or mushrooms, implying picking or collecting. 狩る (karu) is used for hunting animals, but appears in compounds like キノコ狩り (mushroom hunting) as a set phrase. Using 狩る alone for foraging is uncommon.
In Japan, foraging on private land without permission is illegal. Some areas also have restrictions on collecting certain plants or mushrooms. Always check local regulations.
Mushroom foraging involves risks, so caution is necessary.