What’s With Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX’s Tsukimi Set?

People with Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX can log into the Nintendo 3DS game between September 14 and 20 to receive a special present from the Vocaloid Gumi. Upon loading the game, the doorbell will ring. Gumi will appear and present players with a Tsukimi Set decoration for their room. This temporary, seasonal item can be used to dress up the room.

But what is a Tsukimi set? It’s actually a decoration for moon viewing festivals. Such decorations are usually put out in September. It always involves rice dumplings arranged nicely, sometimes in a pyramid shape, and can also involve pampas grass arrangements. It’s a tradition whose roots can be found in the Heian period.

The Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX doesn’t have actual grass or dumplings for Vocaloids to eat, but captures the same sort of feeling. It’s found among the medium-sized furniture and consists of a wooden altar with the dumplings on it in front of a banner. The banner has pampas grass at the bottom, and a moon at the top. Two cups appear at the base of the decoration. Unfortunately, Miku wasn’t cooperating, so I don’t have a screenshot of her interacting with it.

The Tsukimi Set will be available in Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX until Sunday. Your Nintendo 3DS doesn’t need to be connected to the internet to receive the gift.