Shichi-Go-San is the Japanese ceremony held for children at the ages of three, five, and seven.
The name literally means “seven-five-three.” Families traditionally take children to a Shinto shrine, where they pray for health, growth, and continued protection. Girls are commonly celebrated at ages three and seven, while boys are traditionally celebrated at age five, though local and family practices vary.
Children often wear formal clothing, including kimono or Western-style outfits, and families may arrange photographs. A familiar treat is chitose ame, or “thousand-year candy,” which symbolizes longevity.
Shichi-Go-San is a childhood growth celebration, not a prenatal baby shower. Its connection to birth traditions is that it marks important stages of early childhood and reflects the family’s hopes for the child’s long life.