Shichi-Go-San: Children's Shrine Visit Customs

Each November, small children in kimono and hakama carry long red and white candy bags to shrines for a blessing.

Published October 19, 2026 at 12:20 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Shichi-Go-San, meaning seven-five-three, is a Japanese rite of passage held around November 15 for children aged three, five and seven. Families visit a shrine to give thanks for healthy growth and ask for continued protection. Children often wear kimono or formal clothes, receive chitose-ame candy, and have photographs taken at the shrine or in a studio.

What the three ages mean

Shichi-Go-San translates as seven, five, three, and the numbers are the ages being celebrated. Traditionally three-year-old girls and boys, five-year-old boys and seven-year-old girls took part, although many families now include any child in these age groups, regardless of gender. Some families still count age in the old way, where a baby is one at birth, so the ceremony can fall a year earlier than expected by Western counting. Each age once marked a clear stage.

Around three, children stopped having their heads shaved and began to grow their hair. At five, boys wore a hakama, the pleated trousers of formal dress, for the first time. At seven, girls swapped the simple cords that held their kimono for a proper obi sash. These were visible signs of growing up. The festival is therefore less about a single big event and more about acknowledging that a child has passed a few risky early years in good health.

A related detail is the three-year-old's ceremony known as kamioki, which refers to letting the hair grow out. In the past, children's heads were kept shaved or closely cropped for hygiene and comfort, so the first time the hair was allowed to grow was a clear step forward. Today the name survives mostly in books and shrine explanations rather than in daily life.

Where the custom comes from

The practices behind Shichi-Go-San are generally traced to court and samurai families in earlier centuries, and the ceremony spread to ordinary townspeople during the Edo period. In a time when many young children did not reach adulthood, passing these ages was a reason for relief and thanks. November 15 is the commonly cited date. Explanations vary, and one often repeated reason is that the day was considered lucky in the old calendar. Because the exact origin stories differ between sources, it is safest to say the date became standard through long custom rather than one clear decree.

In the modern era the festival grew through shrines, department stores and photo studios, and it settled into the family event that people recognize today. Hairstyles complete the look. Girls often have their hair pinned up or tied with ribbons and flowers, and many studios include a stylist in the package. Boys' outfits are simpler to put on, but the hakama still takes a few minutes to tie properly, so allow extra time before the appointment at the shrine.

What children wear

Girls aged three often wear a kimono with a soft vest called a hifu over it, while seven-year-olds wear a fuller kimono with a wide obi. Five-year-old boys may wear a haori jacket and hakama with a formal family crest. Western-style outfits are also common, such as dresses and small suits, and neither choice is considered wrong. Many families rent outfits rather than buying them.

Rental shops and photo studios offer packages that include dressing, hair styling and photographs, and they often get booked well ahead of November. If you are planning a visit, check the studio's own site for availability. Hair accessories for girls, such as kanzashi or fabric flowers, are a popular detail. Zori sandals can be tiring for small feet, so some families bring comfortable shoes for walking between the studio and the shrine.

The shrine visit and blessing

The family visits a local shrine or a well-known larger one, usually on a weekend close to November 15 rather than on the exact day. At the reception desk they usually request a prayer ceremony and give an offering, the amount of which is set out by each shrine. Official information on the current rates and reservation rules is the best source. During the ceremony a Shinto priest recites a norito prayer, waves a purification wand and presents the children with a small talisman.

Parents often receive the child's blessing certificate and offerings to take home. The ceremony itself is short and gentle, and children are not expected to sit perfectly still. Visitors to Japan may see many families dressed up at larger shrines on weekends in mid-November. It is polite to give them room for photographs, and to ask before taking pictures of other people's children.

Chitose-ame, the long-life candy

The signature treat is chitose-ame, which translates roughly as thousand-year candy. These are long thin sticks, usually red and white, sold in a decorated paper bag printed with cranes, turtles, pines and bamboo, all symbols of long life and good luck. The length is intentional. The long, thin shape stands for a long life and the wish that the child will grow steadily.

Because of this, tradition says the candy should not be cut. Parents often let children carry the bag themselves, and it can be cumbersome since some sticks are around a half-meter long. Chitose-ame is sold at shrines, department stores and wagashi shops in the weeks before November 15. The flavor is plain and sweet, similar to a mild hard candy, and it makes a pleasant souvenir if you are visiting in autumn.

Planning a family visit

Because weekends around November 15 are the busiest, many families choose an earlier or later date to avoid crowds. Shrines allow this, and the blessing is considered equally good on any day in the season. Booking the photo studio, the outfit and the shrine time in advance makes the day smoother. Autumn weather in much of Japan is cool but changeable, so layers help, especially for children in thin kimono.

A short break after the ceremony helps tired kids. Many families end the day with a meal at a restaurant, often with a celebratory dish such as sekihan, red rice with azuki beans, which is a traditional food for happy occasions. If you are traveling, a stroll through a shrine grounds in mid-November also lets you enjoy the first autumn colors, since many gardens begin to turn at that time.

Seasonal sweets and meals make a natural pairing with the day. Wagashi shops often display red and white confections in early November, and some restaurants offer children's celebration sets. After the formal part of the day, a relaxed lunch or a walk through the shrine grounds helps children unwind, and a shrine's seasonal stalls or tea house can be a gentle way to end the visit.

Etiquette for visitors and guests

If you are not part of the family, stay behind ropes or marked areas during the ceremony, and do not enter the prayer hall unless invited. Photography inside the hall is usually restricted, and shrines often have their own signs on this. Follow staff instructions and the posted rules. Guests invited to a celebration commonly give a small gift of money or a gift for the child, and it is usual to ask the family what is appropriate.

Gift amounts depend on relationship and region, so asking a relative or friend in advance is wiser than guessing. When meeting a child in festive dress, a simple compliment on how nice they look is always welcome. Keeping your voice low in the prayer area and following the shrine office's instructions about queues and photography helps the day run smoothly for every family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shichi-Go-San a public holiday?

No. November 15 is not a national holiday, so most families hold the ceremony on a weekend nearby. Shrines are especially busy on the Saturday and Sunday closest to the date, and some families choose a quieter weekday. Shrines also offer first-time visitors a calm moment to enjoy autumn leaves, and many hold prayer sessions throughout the day, so arriving outside the busiest midday hours is often easier.

Do children have to wear a kimono?

No. Kimono and hakama are traditional and popular for photos, but many families choose Western-style formal wear or ordinary neat clothes. Comfort matters for small children, and shrines welcome families whichever option they choose. Photo studios and rental shops can provide outfits in every size, and staff will help with dressing, so families do not need to own any traditional clothing in advance.

Can tourists watch the celebrations?

Yes, in public areas of shrines. Be respectful, keep your distance during rites, and ask permission before photographing a family. Some shrine buildings restrict photography, so follow posted signs and staff directions. A friendly smile and a quiet distance are appreciated, and the shrine office can tell you which areas are open to the public if you are unsure.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Hatachi: Turning Twenty in Japan, Japanese Shinto Weddings: What Happens in the Ceremony and Longevity Celebrations in Japan: Kanreki to Hakuju.