Every autumn, shrines across Japan fill with kimono-clad children aged three, five and seven who offer thanks for healthy growth. This guide walks international families through the festival’s meaning, preparation and on-the-day etiquette so you can focus on celebrating rather than guessing what comes next.
What Is Shichi-Go-San?
Before booking a blessing, understanding the festival’s roots will help you explain the day to curious relatives back home.
Origins and History
Heian-period court nobles began marking age three (kami-oki), five (hakamagi) and seven (obi-toki) as survival milestones as early as 1099. Samurai families spread the practice during the Edo era, and merchant parents were already handing out chitose-ame longevity candy by 1780. In 1873 the Meiji government fixed 15 November as the official date, and early Shōwa photography studios turned the rite into Japan’s equivalent of family portrait day.
Why Ages 3-5-7?
Classical Chinese numerology, absorbed into Shinto thought, sees odd numbers as carriers of yang (positive) energy. Three marks language development, five physical coordination and seven social awareness—making each age a natural point for parental gratitude.
Preparing for the Day
Advance planning means fewer surprises once you step through the torii gate.
Choosing a Shrine
Tokyo offers Meiji Jingū (spacious, bilingual forms), Sensō-ji (pagoda backdrop) and Kanda Myōjin (easy from Akihabara). In Kansai, try Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto or Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka with its iconic arched bridge. Smaller neighborhood shrines feel intimate but may require phone reservations in Japanese.
Dressing the Part
- Age 3: padded hifu vest over a soft kimono (boys & girls).
- Age 5: boys add a crested haori jacket and pleated hakama.
- Age 7: girls don long-sleeved furisode, silk obi and ornate hairpieces. Rental packages—including dressing and basic hairstyling—start around ¥4,500 in Kyoto, rising to ¥30,000 in Tokyo studios. Purchasing a child-size formal set easily exceeds ¥80,000, so most resident foreigners rent.
Navigating the Shrine Visit
Arrive 15 minutes early so attendants can write your child’s name on the offering envelope.
How to Book
Major urban shrines accept walk-ins during October–November weekends. Rural shrines often post prayer hours on their website only in Japanese; consider calling ahead or asking a Japanese-speaking friend to confirm.
Etiquette Step-by-Step
- Purify hands and mouth at the temizuya.
- Bow twice, toss a coin, clap twice, bow once.
- Follow staff to the inner hall; parents may wave the ōnusa paper streamer as the priest chants blessings.
Chitose Ame & Post-Blessing Treats
Each child receives a one-meter stick of red-and-white candy wrapped in cranes and turtles—symbols of one-thousand-year life. Families often continue the celebration with an osechi bento or a Western-style cake.
Practical Tips for International Families
Language Essentials
A simple “Onegai shimasu” (please) and “Arigatō gozaimasu” (thank you) suffice. Write your child’s name in katakana if you’d like it spoken during the blessing.
Photography & Social Media
Professional shoots near major shrines start at ¥15,000 for 30 minutes, but candid photos under autumn ginkgo trees often feel more relaxed. Avoid blocking worshippers and always ask before photographing other children.
Budget & Accessibility
Plan for transport, outfit rental, a ¥5,000–¥10,000 donation per child and a celebratory meal. Large shrines like Meiji Jingū provide wheelchair-friendly paths for visiting grandparents.
Key Takeaways
Shichi-Go-San blends a millennium of tradition with modern photo-day fun. Choose a date that fits your schedule, rent vibrant attire, arrive early for the blessing and savour chitose-ame together. The result: treasured images and a living connection to Japanese culture—whether you are a newcomer or a long-time resident.
