Date: May 5

Kodomo no Hi literally means Children’s Day. Historically it was Tango no Sekku and was held on the 5th day of the 5th month (of the lunar calendar) as a boys festival. The Japanese government renamed it Kodomo no Hi  in 1948, and declared it a national holiday in appreciation of all children and their mothers. However, it is still essentially celebrated as the historical boys version of Hinamatsuri.

It is traditional to raise carp flags (koinobori), one for each boy in the household, on this day. Families may also bring out the doll of Kintaro (a Japanese hero from the Heian era) who is often depicted riding a carp and wearing a kabuto (Japanese Samurai helmet). Both Kintaro and the helmet are signs of a healthy boy. Kashiwa mochi are also eaten. These are rice cakes filled with sweet azuki bean paste and wrapped in the leaf of an oak tree. Also Chimaki is served which is a sweet rice pasted wrapped in bamboo leaves.