Japan's National Symbols: Flag, Flower and Bird

A red disc, a chrysanthemum crest, a spring blossom and a green pheasant: which symbols are official and which are loved by custom.

Published October 19, 2026 at 12:41 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan's flag, the Hinomaru, is a red disc on a white field, and the anthem Kimigayo was formally recognized in 1999. The country has no legally designated national flower, but the cherry blossom and the chrysanthemum are widely treated as symbols. The green pheasant is commonly called the national bird, and Mount Fuji serves as an unofficial landmark symbol.

The flag: Hinomaru

The national flag of Japan is a white rectangle with a red disc at its center. In Japanese it is called Hinomaru, meaning circle of the sun, or Nisshoki, the sun-mark flag. The design reflects the country's name in Japanese, Nihon or Nippon, which means origin of the sun. A national law adopted in 1999 formally designated the flag and anthem. It describes the flag as having a ratio of two to three, with the red disc placed in the center and sized at three-fifths of the height.

Before that, the flag had been used as the national emblem for a long time, notably on ships since the nineteenth century. The simple design is easy to recognize and appears at sporting events, schools, government buildings and national holidays. Many households display it on holidays, particularly at New Year. The red disc is often described as the sun, and the plain Hinomaru is the design officially designated as the national flag.

The anthem: Kimigayo

Kimigayo is the national anthem and is one of the shortest anthems in the world, consisting of only a few lines. The words come from an old waka poem of the Heian period, found in a classical poetry collection, and they express a wish for a long and lasting reign. The melody was composed in the late nineteenth century and adopted for official use in 1880. The anthem is sung or played at formal occasions such as sports matches, national ceremonies and graduation events.

Attitudes toward it vary among individuals, but visitors are generally expected to behave respectfully by standing quietly when it is played. If you attend a major sporting event, such as sumo, baseball or an international match, you may hear it. You do not need to sing, though many people do. Music classes in schools teach the song, and recordings by orchestras and choirs are widely available. The slow, solemn tune is quite different from the livelier songs people sing at festivals.

Cherry blossom and chrysanthemum

Japan does not have a national flower designated by law, but two flowers are strongly associated with the country. The cherry blossom, sakura, is the beloved symbol of spring and renewal, celebrated each year with hanami picnics under the trees. Its brief bloom is often linked with the idea of the fleeting beauty of life. The chrysanthemum, kiku, is closely associated with the imperial family. A sixteen-petal chrysanthemum design is used as the emblem of the imperial house, and a related design appears on the Japanese passport.

The flower is also celebrated at autumn exhibitions and at the Chrysanthemum Festival on September 9. Other plant motifs are also used officially, such as the paulownia (kiri), which appears on the crest of the Japanese government and on the 500-yen coin. Cherry blossom forecasts are a regular part of spring news, and the flowering line moves northward from the south through March, April and May. Visiting during the peak week needs flexible plans, since timing varies by place and year.

The green pheasant

The green pheasant, called kiji, is commonly known as Japan's national bird. It was named as such by the Ornithological Society of Japan in 1947, although the designation is not a statute. The male has bright green and bronze plumage, red facial patches and a loud call. The bird is native to Japan and appears in folklore, including the tale of Momotaro, the Peach Boy, in which a pheasant joins the hero as a companion.

This story is one of the best-known folktales in the country. Visitors may see green pheasants in rural fields, riversides and woodlands, particularly in spring when males are most visible. Keep a respectful distance, and enjoy watching rather than approaching. Pheasant motifs appear in traditional crafts and on some stamps and coins, a quiet reminder that the bird has long been part of the nation's sense of its natural world.

Mount Fuji and other informal emblems

Mount Fuji is perhaps the most recognized natural symbol of Japan. It appears in art, photography and everyday design, from woodblock prints to souvenir packaging. The mountain is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape, and climbing seasons run in summer, with details set by local authorities. Other informal emblems include the torii gate, the crane, the koi, the daruma doll and the maneki-neko.

Each carries its own meaning, and together they form a visual vocabulary that appears across Japanese design. The imperial crest and the government seal are used in more formal contexts. Distinguishing between official emblems and popular symbols can help you read signs and objects with more understanding. Simple symbols often become familiar through repetition. The next time you see a red circle on white, a stylized flower or a snow-capped cone, you may notice how often Japan chooses restrained shapes to express identity.

Where you will see these symbols

Flags are displayed at government offices, schools, ports and on national holidays. Look for them outside homes on January 1 or during celebrations. The flag is also visible in international sports, where athletes and fans carry it in stadiums. The chrysanthemum appears on official documents, certain coins and imperial properties. Cherry blossoms decorate everything from stationery to street signs in spring, and shops fill with sakura-themed sweets and drinks.

Visiting places such as the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Mount Fuji viewpoints, or a park during hanami season offers a direct way to connect with these symbols. Confirm opening times and conditions on official websites before you go. Coins offer another place to look. The designs on modern Japanese coins include flowers, plants and buildings, each tied to a symbolic idea, and checking the change in your pocket can be a quick lesson in national iconography.

Etiquette around national symbols

Treat flags and emblems with respect. Do not drag a flag on the ground, step on it or use it in ways that might be seen as disrespectful. If you buy a flag as a souvenir, handle it carefully. During the anthem at a ceremony, stand quietly and avoid talking or taking photos. Even if you are not familiar with the words, simple respect is appreciated.

In souvenir shopping, items with the chrysanthemum crest or imperial symbols are sometimes regulated or reserved for certain uses. When in doubt, ask the shop staff. Cherry blossom and Fuji-themed goods are widely available and fine for gifts. Public holidays are a good time to observe how symbols are used. On days such as Foundation Day or the Emperor's Birthday, you may notice flags on buildings and homes, usually displayed in a calm and modest way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Japan have an official national flower?

No flower is designated by law. The cherry blossom and the chrysanthemum are both widely treated as national symbols, with sakura representing spring and the chrysanthemum linked to the imperial family. The cherry blossom is celebrated by hanami parties each spring, while the chrysanthemum appears on the imperial crest and the passport cover, so each has a different meaning.

What is the Japanese flag called?

It is called Hinomaru, meaning sun circle, or Nisshoki. It is a red disc on a white background. A 1999 law officially designated it as the national flag. The proportions are fixed by that law as well, with the red disc placed at the center and sized at three-fifths of the flag's height, which gives the design its balanced look.

What is Japan's national bird?

The green pheasant, or kiji, is commonly called the national bird. It was named by the Ornithological Society of Japan in 1947. It also features in folklore, including the story of Momotaro. Male pheasants have bright green and bronze feathers and are most visible in spring fields and riverside grass, though the bird is shy and easily startled.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Kiku: Chrysanthemum Shows and the Imperial Flower, The Emperor's Birthday: Japan's National Holiday Explained and Ume, Sakura or Momo: How to Tell the Spring Blossoms Apart.