15 November, when girls of three and seven and boys of five are dressed in kimono and taken to a shrine to give thanks for their growth. Chitose-ame, the thousand-year candy in its long bag, is bought for them on the way out.
15 November, or the nearest weekend on either side of it, since it is not a public holiday and the shrines are open all month.
The Phala almanac gives the exact day for your own city; the lunar and solar rules above are what it computes from.
The three ages come from three separate Heian court rites: at three a child's hair was allowed to grow, at five a boy first wore hakama, at seven a girl first tied an obi instead of cords. Edo-period commoners folded them into one shrine visit.
The day is a thanksgiving for a child having reached the age at all. The rites were kept when most children did not, and the odd ages were chosen because odd numbers are lucky.
The Phala almanac shows this day where it falls for your own city — sunrise, tithi and all five limbs, anywhere on earth. See how the almanac works →
