China and Japan have had the custom of appreciating the moon since ancient times, and particularly in Japan it is said that the custom has existed since the Jomon period; after the festival of moon viewing was introduced from China around the Heian period, the nobles had Kangetsu parties and boating parties (to enjoy the reflection of the moon swinging on the water surface from a boat, instead of viewing the moon directly) in which they would compose poems and enjoy drinking.
中国、日本では、月を愛でるという習慣が古くからあり、日本では縄文時代ごろからあるといわれ平安時代ごろから中国から月見の祭事が伝わると貴族などの間で観月の宴や舟遊び（直接月を見るのではなく船などにのったりして水面に揺れる月を楽しむ）など歌を詠んだり酒を飲んだりした。