Shichi-Go-San for Kids: Japan’s 7-5-3 Celebration
Every November, families across Japan celebrate Shichi-Go-San, a special tradition honoring young children’s growth, health, and happiness.
Children dress in beautiful traditional clothing, visit shrines with their families, pose for photographs, and receive special candy symbolizing a long and healthy life.
Discover the meaning behind this Japanese celebration and the traditions that make it so special!
What Is Shichi-Go-San?
Shichi-Go-San (pronounced shee-chee-go-sahn) means “seven-five-three” in Japanese.
The celebration honors children reaching three important ages:
- Age 3: Traditionally celebrated by both boys and girls.
- Age 5: Traditionally celebrated by boys.
- Age 7: Traditionally celebrated by girls.
Today, customs may vary among families and communities.
Shichi-Go-San is celebrated annually on November 15, although many families choose a nearby weekend for their celebrations.
Unlike a traditional birthday party, Shichi-Go-San is a rite of passage – a celebration marking an important stage in a child’s life.
It’s a time for families to give thanks for their children’s growth and wish them continued health, happiness, and good fortune.
Why Are Ages 3, 5, and 7 Special?
Shichi-Go-San has roots in Japanese traditions dating back hundreds of years.
Long ago, when childhood illnesses were more dangerous, reaching certain ages was an important milestone worth celebrating.
Each age traditionally represented a new stage of growing up:
- Age 3: Young children began growing their hair longer instead of keeping it shaved or very short.
- Age 5: Boys could wear hakama, traditional pleated trousers, for the first time during a special ceremony.
- Age 7: Girls began wearing an obi, a wide decorative sash used to fasten a kimono, instead of simpler ties.
In Japanese tradition, odd numbers such as three, five, and seven have also been considered lucky.
Over time, these separate childhood ceremonies developed into the Shichi-Go-San celebration of today.
Did You Know? Japan once used a traditional way of counting ages in which babies were considered one year old at birth. Today, families often use the modern method of counting age, beginning at zero.
How Do Families Celebrate Shichi-Go-San?
1. Dressing in Traditional Clothing
One of the most recognizable Shichi-Go-San traditions is seeing children dressed in beautiful Japanese clothing.
Girls often wear colorful kimono – traditional garments with long sleeves and decorative sashes. Boys may wear hakama and a haori, a traditional jacket worn over a kimono. Some children wear Western-style dresses or suits instead.
Families often rent or purchase special outfits and arrange professional photographs to remember this important milestone.
2. Visiting a Shinto Shrine
Many families visit a Shinto shrine, a sacred place associated with Shinto, one of Japan’s traditional religions. At the shrine, families express gratitude for their children’s growth and pray for their continued health and happiness. Some children receive a special blessing from a Shinto priest.
Families may also enjoy a special meal or gather with relatives to celebrate the occasion.
Although shrine visits are an important tradition, not every family celebrates Shichi-Go-San in exactly the same way.
3. Receiving Chitose Ame: Thousand-Year Candy
One of the sweetest Shichi-Go-San traditions is receiving a special candy called chitose ame, meaning “thousand-year candy.” These long, thin candy sticks are traditionally red and white – colors associated with happiness and good fortune in Japan. The candy’s long shape symbolizes a wish for children to enjoy a long, healthy life.
Chitose ame is often presented in a decorated paper bag featuring meaningful symbols:
- Cranes: Birds associated with long life and good fortune.
- Turtles: Symbols of longevity and wisdom.
- Pine trees and bamboo: Plants often associated with strength, resilience, and good fortune.
Each symbol represents the family’s hopes for the child’s future.
Look Closer: Why do you think a long piece of candy is used to represent a long life?
Watch: Shichi-Go-San in Japan
See this special celebration come to life! Watch Japanese children dressed in traditional clothing as their families mark this important milestone.
Before Watching: Ask students to look for special clothing, family activities, and objects they recognize from the article.
After Watching: What did you notice? What traditions would you like to learn more about?
Shichi-Go-San Activities for Kids
Bring this meaningful Japanese tradition into your classroom or home with these activities.
1. Make a Thousand-Year Candy Bag
Explore the symbolism of chitose ame and the beautiful designs used on traditional candy bags. Invite students to make their own paper candy bags using this free printable from the Boston Children’s Museum.
As students decorate their bags, discuss the meanings of cranes, turtles, and other traditional symbols.
Extend the Learning: Have students design an additional symbol that represents happiness, health, or good fortune and explain their choice.
2. Compare Childhood Celebrations Around the World
Many cultures have special traditions to celebrate children growing up. Invite students to think about birthdays, first days of school, family celebrations, and other important childhood milestones. Compare these with Shichi-Go-San using a Venn diagram or class chart.
Discussion questions:
- Why do families celebrate important milestones?
- How is Shichi-Go-San similar to or different from a birthday celebration?
- What traditions help families remember special moments?
Extension: Students write a short paragraph describing an important milestone or celebration in their own lives or communities.
3. Explore Japan Through Geography
Locate Japan on a world map and identify its position in East Asia. Explore photographs of Japanese cities, shrines, and traditional clothing to build connections between geography and culture.
Discussion Question: What can celebrations like Shichi-Go-San teach us about the values and traditions of a community?
Explore Japan with Globe Trottin’ Kids!
Extend the learning beyond Shichi-Go-San with a virtual journey to Japan!
Discover Japan’s geography, famous landmarks, foods, clothing, language, and cultural traditions through kid-friendly maps, photographs, videos, and activities.
Japan Country Research Project
Take the learning further with our printable research project! Students explore Japan’s geography and culture while developing research, writing, and presentation skills.
