About Shichi-Go-San
Shichi-Go-San, literally 'seven-five-three', is a Japanese rite of passage held on November 15 for children aged three, five and seven. Three- and seven-year-old girls and three- and five-year-old boys are celebrated, with families giving thanks for their healthy growth so far and praying for their future. This live Shichi-Go-San countdown shows the days, hours and minutes left until the next November 15 in your own timezone.
On the day, children dress in their finest — girls in bright kimono, boys in haori jackets and hakama — and visit a Shinto shrine with their families for a blessing. A beloved tradition is chitose-ame, 'thousand-year candy': long, thin red-and-white sticks of sweet candy in decorated bags, symbolising a wish for a long and healthy life. Family photographs in formal dress are a cherished part of the occasion.
Shichi-Go-San is observed on or around November 15 each year, with many families choosing a nearby weekend for shrine visits. Because the date is fixed, this page rolls over to the next November 15 once it passes. Bookmark the live Shichi-Go-San countdown or add it to your own page to follow one of Japan's most heartwarming childhood milestones.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Sunday, November 15, 2026next |
| 2027 | Monday, November 15, 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, November 15, 2028 |
| 2029 | Thursday, November 15, 2029 |
| 2030 | Friday, November 15, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Shichi-Go-San?
Shichi-Go-San is held on November 15 each year, though families often visit shrines on a convenient nearby weekend rather than the exact date.
Why is Shichi-Go-San celebrated?
It gives thanks for the healthy growth of children at the milestone ages of three, five and seven, and prays for their continued wellbeing — ages once considered critical in a child's life.
How is Shichi-Go-San celebrated?
Children dress in kimono or hakama and visit a Shinto shrine with their families for a blessing, often followed by formal photographs and gifts of chitose-ame candy.
What is chitose-ame?
Chitose-ame, or "thousand-year candy", is a long, thin stick of red-and-white sweet candy given to children at Shichi-Go-San to wish them a long and healthy life.