How To Celebrate Children’s Day in Japan

 In May, there is Children’s Day, which takes place on May 5th annually, hoping for a healthy growth of children as well as their happiness for the year. Here you can learn how people celebrate Children’s Day in Japan!

As we mentioned above, Children’s Day is celebrated on May 5th in Japan. It was officially established in 1948, and has not been changed since then. There is Children’s Day in other countries too. For example, China and Russia celebrate it on June 1st, since it is officially recognized as International Children’s Day which was originally proclaimed at the World Conference on Child Welfare in 1925. Similarly, November 20th officially became known as World Children’s Day which was established by the UN General Assembly in 1954. However, these Children’s Days are not quite the same in Japan. 

One of the most famous way to celebrate Children’s Day in Japan is to display traditional ornaments such as Kabuto and Gogatsu-ningyo. Kabuto is a traditional samurai helmet often with the most beautiful decorations. Gogatsu-ningyo refers to Japanese warrior dolls equipped with armor and Japanese sword. People display them at home, hoping a healthy growth of boys. It can be regarded equivalent to Hina-ningyo , traditional beautiful dolls for Hinamatsuri on March 3rd.