The purpose of this paper is to investigate how people obtain and eat Vespula sp., a kind of wasp, and how such habits are distributed in Japan. A general survey based on the literature and quastionnaires given to authorities was conducted for each part of Japan, and field work was conducted by interviewing in Central Japan, where examples of this habit can be seen. Among several kinds of wasps which are eaten in Japan, especially immature Vespula have been eaten cooked in various ways. This is because people feel it more tasty than any other wasp, and they can find the nests easily, catch them without any danger and obtain large numbers of the immature wasps from one nest. This haibit is not spread all over Japan but concentrated particularly in some parts of Central Japan.<br>The results of the survey in Central Japan are as follows: there are six kinds of foods made of Vespula, that is, raw Vespula, roasted Vespula, boiled Vespula, mixed rice maze-gohan with Vespula, sushi with Vespula and, a kind of rice cake with soy bean sauce (gohei-mochi) containing Vespula. These recipes are listed here according to increasing complexity in cooking process. People eat these foods 1) occasionally, 2) daily, or 3) daily and on special occasions. In the area where the usage of Type 1) is found, Vespula is usually roasted and eaten only occasionally. In the area of Type 2) boiled Vespula in soy sauce is eaten as a daily food and even stored in many places. It is used as a side dish for daily meals or relish for drinking. Moreover in the area of type 3) boiled Vespula can be used on special occasions such as festivals and parties. The foods which need a longer cooking process tend to be used on special occasions. The usage of type 3) is seen in eastern Mino Province (Gifu Pref.) and its surrounding regions.<br>People obtain Vespula by hunting or purchasing. Methods of hunting are classified into four types according to ways of discovering the nests. They are: (1) discovery by chance, (2) discovery by simply running after Vespula, (3) discovery by making Vespula hold a mark and running after it, and (4) breeding after finding the nest. An assorted mix of hunting (2), (3) and (4) is adopted in eastern and southern parts of Sinano Province (Nagano Pref.) and eastern Mino Province as well as mountainous areas in Mikawa and Owari Provinces (Aichi Pref.). People who want to eat Vespula may also purchase canned Vespula or their nests with immature wasps. The former are sold as souvenirs in some cities of Shinano Province, and the latter are mainly used as raw materials for cooking in eastern Mino Province. These are regions where active hunting is also popular.<br>Generally speaking, the intensiveness of eating and that of hunting are closely related. That is, the more positively Vespula is eaten, the more actively hunting is conducted. The kind of foods (Figure 3), their uses (Figure 4), and the hunting methods (Figure 5), show similar areal distribution. These neighbouring three regions, that is, eastern Mino, the southernmost part of Shinano and the mountainous area of Mikawa, form the core with the highest intensity. The custom becomes less pervasive in regions that are located farther from the core. This shows a kind of cultural circle with a concentric structure. This is also the core area of Vespula eating in Japan.