Every autumn, McDonald's Japan brings back the Tsukimi Burger (月見バーガー), the "moon-viewing" burger featuring a soft, round egg. The 2026 run starts nationwide on Wednesday, September 2, and this year is a big one: it's the burger's 35th anniversary, and three brand-new items join the lineup.
Here's what's on sale, what it costs, and — the part that trips up a lot of visitors — which items you can only get at certain times of day. For the wider moon-viewing season, see our guide to Tsukimi moon-viewing 2026; for the same burgers at other chains, see Tsukimi burgers at KFC and other chains and Tsukimi pizza 2026.
On sale from September 2, 2026. Most items run through late October, but the new Aburi Gyu Sukiyaki Tsukimi is the first to go, ending in late September.
Sale dates and how long each item runs
Sales begin on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at McDonald's across Japan (except at a handful of stores). End dates vary by item, and all are listed as "planned."
Item | On sale until |
|---|---|
Most items | Late October (planned) |
Aburi Gyu Sukiyaki Tsukimi | Late September (planned) |
Tsukimi Pie | Early October (planned) |
Tsukimi McShake | Mid-October (planned) |
If there's something specific you want to try, start with the items that leave the menu soonest: the Aburi Gyu Sukiyaki Tsukimi ends earliest in late September, followed by the Tsukimi Pie (early October) and the Tsukimi McShake (mid-October). The Tsukimi Muffin's end date hasn't been announced.
The classic Tsukimi Burger and its 35th year
Image used with permission
The Tsukimi Burger (from ¥460 à la carte / ¥760 as a value set) is the autumn staple — a round egg standing in for the full moon. It first appeared in 1991, which makes 2026 its 35th year.
There's also the Cheese Tsukimi (from ¥490 / ¥790 as a set) if you prefer yours with cheese. Both are sold from 10:30 a.m. to closing, so you can't order them during breakfast hours.
The 3 new items for 2026
The 35th-anniversary lineup adds three new items.
Aburi Gyu Sukiyaki Tsukimi (from ¥570 / ¥870 as a set)
Image used with permission
This year's headliner. Seared beef in a sweet-savory sukiyaki-style sauce pairs with the signature egg for a distinctly Japanese comfort-food spin on the burger. Sold from 10:30 a.m. to closing.
Chi-chi Bai Tsukimi (Cheese Cheese Bai Tsukimi, from ¥670 / ¥970 as a set)
Image used with permission
An evening-only new item, available through the Yoru Mac ("Night Mac") menu from 5 p.m. to closing. It doubles up the beef patties and adds two kinds of cheese — the most filling option in the lineup. Plan an evening visit if you want to try it.
Hokkaido Butter, Red Bean, and Mochi Tsukimi Pie (from ¥200)
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A new spin on the seasonal pie, filled with Hokkaido butter, sweet red bean (anko), and mochi. It's sold all day, which makes it an easy add-on after a meal, or a snack on its own in the afternoon.
Availability by time of day
At McDonald's, the Tsukimi lineup shifts depending on when you walk in. Use this so you don't show up wanting something the counter can't ring up:
- Morning (open–10:30 a.m.): Tsukimi Muffin (from ¥420 à la carte / ¥620 value set / ¥480 combo). Breakfast menu only.
- Daytime to evening (10:30 a.m.–close): the Tsukimi burgers, plus the Tsukimi McShake (S from ¥200 / M from ¥280; +¥50 to add an M to a set).
- Evening (5 p.m.–close): Chi-chi Bai Tsukimi. Night Mac only.
- All day (open–close): Tsukimi Pie and the Golden Egg Tartar Sauce (from ¥50).
The upshot: the muffin is morning-only, and the Chi-chi Bai Tsukimi doesn't show up until 5 p.m. The same "Tsukimi" name covers a different set of items depending on the hour you visit.
The second wave: announced September 15
McDonald's is marking the 35th anniversary with a second wave, and plans to announce those new items on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The details haven't been released yet.
The TV campaign starts September 1, featuring actress Aoi Miyazaki among others. If you're in Japan for the moon-viewing season, it's worth trying the first wave now and watching for the September 15 reveal. And McDonald's isn't the only place doing Tsukimi — see Tsukimi pizza 2026, the Tsukimi offerings from convenience stores and other chains, and Tsukimi moon-viewing 2026 for the season itself.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.
