Background
Celebrating Growth and Happiness
Children’s Day (こどもの日), celebrated on May 5th, is a Japanese national holiday that honors children’s happiness and growth.
It began as a boys’ festival called Tango no Sekku（端午の節句）, but now celebrates all children and their well-being.
What do people do on this day?
Traditions and Festivities of Children’s Day in Golden Week
On Kodomo no Hi (こどもの日), families display Koinobori (鯉のぼり, carp streamers) and Gogatsu Ningyo (五月人形, samurai dolls) to wish children strength and success.
It’s also part of Golden Week, a series of holidays in Japan, so many people enjoy time off with their families and eat festive foods like kashiwa mochi (柏餅).
Koinobori（鯉のぼり）
Koinobori (鯉のぼり) are colorful carp-shaped windsocks flown in Japan to celebrate Children’s Day on May 5th.
The carp symbolizes strength and determination, as it is believed to swim upstream against strong currents.
Families hang them outside to wish children success and good health.
Gogatsu Ningyo（五月人形）
Gogatsu Ningyo, or May dolls, are traditional samurai-themed decorations displayed for Children’s Day on May 5th in Japan.
These dolls often include warriors, helmets (兜, kabuto), and armor (鎧, yoroi), symbolizing courage, strength, and protection.
Originally associated with celebrating boys’ health and success in life, they are now also seen as a way to wish all children a strong and prosperous future.
Kashiwa mochi and Chimaki
Kashiwa mochi (柏餅) is a traditional Japanese sweet eaten on Children’s Day.
It’s a soft rice cake (餅) filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in an oak leaf.
The oak leaf stands for family and good luck for future generations.
In some regions of Japan, people eat different types of sweets, like chimaki (ちまき), instead of kashiwa mochi.
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