Children’s Day in Japan
Japan observes Children’s Day on May 5 as a national holiday. Its official purpose is to respect children’s individuality, wish for their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers; the day’s customs also draw on the older Tango no Sekku seasonal festival.[1][2]
A national holiday for every child
The National Holidays Act names May 5 as Children’s Day and makes national holidays days off. The Cabinet Office says the holiday was included when the law was enacted in 1948, and explains that it was intended for children generally, not only boys.[1][2]
The official wording focuses on children’s character and happiness and gratitude to mothers. The Cabinet Office notes that May 5 was selected in part because it was already associated with Tango no Sekku, while May 3 was designated Constitution Memorial Day.[2]
From Tango no Sekku to Children’s Day
Tango no Sekku is the seasonal festival that informs many May 5 customs. The National Diet Library describes how celebrations before the medieval period included horse races, Japanese irises and ornamental paper balls; as samurai society emerged, the festival developed into one focused on boys, with horse events and displays of armor and helmets.[3]
The displays changed over time. In the Edo period, kabuto helmets and armor were shown outside homes; later, miniature armor, helmets and warrior dolls became indoor decorations. These customs are part of the holiday’s history, while the national holiday’s stated purpose includes all children.[2][3]
Streamers and seasonal foods
Koinobori, carp-shaped streamers, are a familiar decoration for Children’s Day, and Japan’s tourism organization notes that large displays can be seen in rural areas in May.[4] The exact display and other family customs can vary, so a single arrangement should not be treated as universal.
Seasonal foods include chimaki, glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or another leaf, and kashiwa mochi, rice cakes filled with sweet bean paste and wrapped in oak leaves. Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs describes these as celebration foods traditionally associated with warding off misfortune and wishing for children’s growth and an abundant harvest.[5]
Golden Week and travel
Children’s Day falls within Golden Week, a cluster of holidays from late April to early May. Japan’s tourism organization describes this as one of the country’s busiest travel periods, with packed trains and hotels common; travelers planning journeys around the holiday period should allow time for crowds and book ahead where possible.[4]
The law establishes May 5 as a public holiday, but it does not specify opening hours for private shops, restaurants or attractions. Check directly with individual venues and service providers, and confirm transport schedules before traveling.[1][4]
Children’s Day: common questions
Is Children’s Day a public holiday?
Yes. The National Holidays Act designates national holidays as days off. If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the law provides for the nearest following day that is not itself a national holiday to become a holiday.[1]
Are shops and attractions open?
Opening arrangements vary by business and venue; the holiday law does not set private opening hours. Check the places you plan to visit directly.[1]
Will travel be busy?
It can be. Children’s Day is part of Golden Week, which Japan’s tourism organization identifies as one of the country’s busiest travel periods, with packed trains and hotels common.[4]
Sources and references
Sources used for Children's Day in Japan:
- 国民の祝日について- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
- 各「国民の祝日」について- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
- Gogatsu ningyo (May dolls) and Tango no Sekku (Boys’ Festival)- National Diet Library, Japan
- Japan in May- Japan National Tourism Organization
- Tradition│Japan - A Country Rich in Food Culture- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan