Shichi-Go-San — Children's Festival in Japan

November 15 · Level 1 · #2137 of 2238

Shichi-Go-San is a Japanese family celebration for children aged three, five and seven. Parents give thanks for their children's growth and pray for their health and happiness, often marking the milestone with a family portrait.

How it is celebrated: children wear kimono or other smart clothes for visits to Shinto shrines. They receive long sweets called chitose-ame, and families often choose a convenient nearby weekend for their visit.

The festival's name literally means “seven-five-three.” The sweets have an equally telling name: “thousand-year candy,” expressing a wish for a long life.

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