CELEBRATE JAPAN'S CHILDREN'S DAY

Join us in celebrating Children's Day, a Japanese national holiday held annually on 5th May.

CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS AT PANTECHNICON

Join us at Sachi on the 6 & 7 May, when we’ll have a special children's lunch menu all weekend, as well as complimentary mochi for little lunchtime diners. Book your table or view the menu here.

Or, celebrate at home and download our Children’s Day activity pack, which shows little ones how to handcraft koinobori and includes a colouring activity.

WHAT IS CHILDREN’S DAY AND HOW DO WE CELEBRATE?

Children’s Day is a national holiday in Japan on 5th May which celebrates children's personalities and happiness. The day is represented by the flying of koi carp windsock flags known as koinobori – since carp swim upstream, they are used as a symbol of perseverance and courage. According to a Chinese legend adopted by Japan, a carp which completes the swim upstream turns into a dragon and flies to heaven. 

A set of carp flags are usually flown outside of people’s houses to represent the family and unity. Traditionally, the top and largest flag is black and represents the father, the next is red and represents the mother, while the following ones represent the children. As the air flows through the carp-shaped windsock, it gives the appearance that they are swimming.

WHAT ELSE IS PART OF THE CELEBRATION?

Children also wear samurai-style helmets called kabuto that are usually made with origami paper, while families display mini samurai warriors. The samurai are a symbol of strength and prosperity. A special sweet called kashiwa mochi is also enjoyed. Kashiwa mochi are sticky rice cakes filled with a sweet red bean paste and wrapped in kashiwa (oak) leaves – the oak leaves are for decoration only and not to be eaten!