Children's Day (Japan)

Children's Day is a Japanese national holiday observed on May 5th to respect children's individuality, wish for their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers. Coinciding with the traditional Tango no Sekku festival, families fly carp-shaped koinobori streamers and display samurai helmets or warrior dolls to wish for the healthy growth of boys. Many households eat kashiwa-mochi rice cakes and chimaki dumplings, and take iris baths to pray for good health. As the closing holiday of Golden Week, leisure spots across Japan fill with families.