Shichi-go-san (Children’s 3-5-7 Blessing) 七五三
A family rite blessing children aged 3, 5 and 7. The traditional day is 15 November, and Kyoto shrines take prayers from October. Almost everyone taking part is a local family, so it is not a festival for visitors; in this season the kimono-clad children at the shrine are the whole sight.
Shrine by shrine this year8
From each shrine’s official page; open one for how to apply and the source.
- Jonangu
- Period
- Sep 15 – Dec 5
- Hours
- 09:00–16:00
- Fee
- from ¥6,000
- Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- Period
- Oct 1 – Nov 30
- Hours
- 09:00–16:00
- Fee
- from ¥5,000
- Kamigamo Shrine
- Period
- Oct 1 – Dec 6
- Hours
- 09:00–16:30
- Fee
- from ¥18,000
- Yasaka Shrine
- Period
- Oct 1 – Nov 30
- Hours
- 09:00–16:00
- Fee
- from ¥8,000
- Heian Jingu
- Period
- Oct 1 – Nov 30
- Hours
- 09:00–16:00
- Fee
- Not stated
- Kifune Shrine
- Period
- Nov 1 – Nov 30
- Hours
- 09:00–15:00
- Fee
- from ¥7,000
- Kitano Tenmangu
- Period
- Nov 1 – Nov 30
- Hours
- 09:00–16:00
- Fee
- from ¥5,000
- Shimogamo Shrine
- Period
- Nov 1 – Nov 30
- Hours
- 09:00–16:30
- Fee
- from ¥5,000
Background
Shichi-go-san (“seven-five-three”) marks the growth of children aged 3, 5 and 7. The traditional date is 15 November; most families now choose a weekend in October or November. Generally 3-year-old boys and girls, 5-year-old boys and 7-year-old girls dress in kimono or formal wear and go to a shrine to give thanks and pray for health. The long bag of chitose-ame candy given afterwards, printed with cranes and turtles, stands for a long life.
What to see
- It is a family ritual, not a performance: what you see is kimono-clad children with their families, and priests praying for each family.
- A prayer usually takes about 20–30 minutes: reception, purification, norito, prayer, then candy and a keepsake (each shrine differs; see the table and event pages).
- Each shrine has its own reception period, hours, fee and booking rule; the table lists them one by one. Some also offer kimono rental or photo packages.
How to watch
- Do not block the reception desk, the approach or families having photos taken.
- Ask a parent before photographing a child; follow the notices at each shrine.
- For a quiet visit, go on a weekday morning; weekends and the weekends around 15 November are busiest.
Good to know
Can visitors take part?
The prayer is for a child and family. Most shrines take walk-ins at the reception desk; a few require booking. Periods and conditions are in the table and on each event page.
Does it have to be 15 November?
No. That is the traditional day; most families choose a weekend in October or November, and shrines accept prayers across that whole span.
What is the long bag the children carry?
Chitose-ame, “thousand-year candy”, handed out after the prayer in a bag printed with cranes and turtles, wishing the child a long life.
Do children have to wear kimono?
It is not required; formal clothes are fine. Some shrines have rental and dressing packages; see their pages.