Longevity Celebrations in Japan: Kanreki to Hakuju

Japanese birthdays after sixty come with names, colors and even wordplay, each honoring one more stage of a long life.

Published October 19, 2026 at 12:23 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan marks milestone ages in later life with named celebrations called ga no iwai. The best known are kanreki at 60, koki at 70, kiju at 77, sanju at 80, beiju at 88, sotsuju at 90, hakuju at 99 and others. Many have a color, an origin in kanji wordplay, and gifts or family meals that go with them.

What the longevity celebrations are

Japan has a series of named birthdays in later life, collectively known as ga no iwai, or celebrations of longevity. Families mark them with a meal, gifts and sometimes a ceremony. The best-known are kanreki at 60, koki at 70, kiju at 77, sanju at 80, beiju at 88, sotsuju at 90 and hakuju at 99. The names are not random.

Many come from a way of writing numbers with Chinese characters, where the written form of an age looks like another character. This makes the system a form of friendly puzzle as much as a social custom. Traditional age counting can also shift the date by a year. Some families still count by the old method, in which the person is already one at birth, so the celebration may happen one year earlier than Western counting would suggest.

The names and the wordplay

Koki at 70 uses characters that can be read from a line of Chinese poetry about reaching seventy being rare in life. Kiju at 77 uses a cursive form of the character for joy, which looks like three sevens stacked together. Sanju at 80 uses a short form of the character for umbrella, which resembles the written eighty. Beiju at 88 is written with a character for rice, which can be broken into eight, ten and eight. Sotsuju at 90 uses a shorthand form of the character for graduation that looks like nine and ten.

Hakuju at 99 combines a stroke for one with the character for white, which is hyaku with one stroke missing, giving ninety-nine. Some lists add further milestones at 100 and beyond, but there are regional and published variations, so a family-run celebration is normally flexible. The number 60 has its own logic. The traditional East Asian calendar combined twelve zodiac animals with five elements into a cycle of sixty years. Reaching kanreki means returning to the year of birth in that cycle, so the person is symbolically born again, which is why red baby-style clothing is part of the tradition.

Colors and gifts

Many of these ages are linked to a color, and gifts are often chosen in it. Kanreki is red, for example, while koki and kiju are usually purple, sanju and beiju are often yellow or gold, and hakuju is white. Different guides and families sometimes disagree on the exact assignments, so treat them as traditional associations rather than strict rules. The red of kanreki is the best known.

Red clothing such as a chanchanko vest and a matching cap represents a return to infancy, a symbolic fresh start. Gifts range from clothing to flowers, tableware, travel or a family dinner. If you are choosing a gift for a Japanese colleague or friend's relative, an item in the traditional color can be a thoughtful touch. A plain, high-quality item is usually welcomed as well.

How a celebration unfolds

Typically the family gathers for a meal, either at home or at a restaurant, sometimes at a traditional inn with a private room. Children and grandchildren present gifts, and there may be a toast and a short speech. Photographs are common, and some families book a professional studio session. Menus often feature auspicious foods. Sekihan, red rice with beans, is a classic choice, as are sea bream (tai), a fish whose name is linked to the word medetai, meaning auspicious. A sweet cake or wagashi often ends the meal.

The mood is warm rather than solemn. The celebrant is the guest of honor, and the aim is to thank them and wish for continued health. Some shops now sell personalized gifts that suit the occasion, such as name-engraved sake cups, handwoven textiles or framed photographs. Others offer experience gifts, such as hot-spring stays, which tend to be popular with grandparents who already own plenty of things. A handwritten message from grandchildren often matters more to the celebrant than the gift itself.

Regional and modern changes

Life expectancy in Japan has risen steadily, and as a result, many people in their sixties are still working and may not feel ready to be treated as elderly. Because of that, kanreki is often a lighter occasion than in the past, and some people prefer a trip with family over a formal party. Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday in September, is a separate event that honors seniors in general. Local governments often hold events and give small gifts to elderly residents around that time.

Younger generations have also adapted the customs. Group photos, shared online albums and travel gifts are widely used, while the underlying idea of gathering to thank elders has stayed constant. Prefectural and city offices also join in. Many municipalities keep records of residents reaching the age of one hundred, and some give a commemorative item or a congratulatory letter. Details differ by city, so local government websites are the place to check, but the practice shows how widely longevity is celebrated in public life.

What visitors might notice

Travelers might notice red chanchanko vests in kimono shops or in department-store gift sections in the lead-up to kanreki season. Gift catalogs, ryokan packages and restaurants often advertise special longevity-celebration plans, with decorated rooms or commemorative photography. Some hot-spring inns offer celebration packages with a banquet meal and a small present. Details vary, so confirm what is included on the inn's official site.

If you are invited to such an event, arrive on time, bring a modest gift or ask the host what is appropriate, and be ready to give a short congratulatory phrase such as omedeto gozaimasu. Language is part of the experience. Terms like kanreki or beiju appear on greeting cards, in bakery displays and on restaurant menus, and learning to recognize the kanji can make shop windows more interesting. Even without reading Japanese, spotting the red vest or the purple wrapping often signals that a longevity celebration is nearby.

Tips and etiquette for guests

Avoid gifts that carry unlucky associations. Items grouped in fours are traditionally avoided in Japan because the number four can sound like a word with unlucky associations, and some people also avoid certain flowers linked with sad occasions. Neutral choices such as fruit, sweets or tableware are safer. Do not comment on how old someone looks. The celebration is about honoring the achievement of reaching an age, and a warm remark about their energy or good health is better received.

If money is given, it is placed in an envelope, and etiquette on envelope style and amounts varies by region and relationship. Asking a family member beforehand is the best approach, and a clean, plainly styled envelope is always appreciated. A short handwritten card or a few warm words delivered in person are often remembered longer than the gift, so take a moment to prepare something sincere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous longevity birthday in Japan?

Kanreki, at 60, is the best known. It marks the completion of a 60-year cycle in the traditional calendar, and the celebrant often receives red clothing as a sign of a symbolic new beginning. It also appears on greeting cards, in department store displays and on restaurant menus in the weeks around a milestone, so many people know the red vest even if they have never attended a party.

Why is kiju celebrated at 77?

The cursive form of the kanji for joy resembles the numbers seven, ten and seven, which together give 77. Because the character itself means joy, the age is considered an especially happy one. The wordplay is typical of how these milestones were named, and similar tricks explain the ages of 80, 88, 90 and 99, which makes the series a small lesson in kanji.

Are these celebrations still common?

Kanreki and beiju remain well known, and many families mark at least one milestone. Customs have become more relaxed, so celebrations may be a modest dinner or a trip, and the details differ between regions and households. Younger relatives often organize the day, and a family dinner, a short trip or a handwritten letter is just as valued as a formal banquet.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Kanreki: The 60th Birthday Celebration, Otoshidama: The New Year Money Envelope and Shichi-Go-San: Children's Shrine Visit Customs.