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Kung nakatira o nagtatrabaho ka sa Japan, isa sa mga important national holidays na mae-encounter mo during Golden Week ay :

こどもの日（Kodomo no Hi）

Children’s Day

Celebrated every May 5, Children’s Day is dedicated to respecting children as individuals, wishing for their happiness, and expressing gratitude to mothers. It has been an official national holiday since Japan’s National Holidays Act was established in 1948.

For OFWs—especially parents—Children’s Day is also a nice opportunity to understand Japanese family traditions and spend quality time with your children.

1. What Is Children’s Day?

Children’s Day（こどもの日 / Kodomo no Hi） is celebrated every :

May 5

Under Japan’s National Holidays Act, the purpose of Children’s Day is to respect children’s personalities, promote their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers.

So although some traditional customs associated with May 5 historically focused on boys, modern Children’s Day is officially a holiday for all children, not only boys. The Cabinet Office specifically notes that the holiday was not intended exclusively for boys.

2. Is Children’s Day Part of Golden Week?

Yes!

Children’s Day is one of the major national holidays during :

ゴールデンウィーク（Gōruden Wīku）

Golden Week

The main holidays around this period are :

• April 29 – Showa Day

• May 3 – Constitution Memorial Day

• May 4 – Greenery Day

• May 5 – Children’s Day

Because several holidays fall close together, Golden Week is one of Japan’s biggest vacation periods.

3. What Are the Colorful Carp Flags?

One of the easiest ways to know that Children’s Day is approaching is when you start seeing colorful carp-shaped streamers outside homes, schools, parks, and public buildings. 

These are called :

鯉のぼり（Koinobori）

Carp streamers

You’ll usually see them flying in the wind around April and early May.

The carp has traditionally represented strength, perseverance, and healthy growth.

For families, displaying koinobori is a way of wishing for children to grow up healthy and strong.

4. Why Carp?

Carp are known for being strong fish that can swim against currents.

Because of this, the carp became a symbol of determination and perseverance.

The message behind the koinobori is basically :

“Grow strong and keep moving forward even when life becomes difficult.”

For OFW parents raising children in Japan, medyo relatable din ang message—especially when building a new life away from home.

5. What Is the Kabuto?

Another symbol you may see during Children’s Day is :

兜（Kabuto） – Samurai helmet

Some families display decorative samurai helmets or armor inside their homes.

Historically, samurai armor represented strength and protection.

Today, these decorations generally express the wish that children will grow up strong, healthy, and protected.

6. What Is Gogatsu Ningyō?

You may also see :

五月人形（Gogatsu Ningyō）

May dolls / warrior dolls

These decorative figures may feature :

• Samurai

• Warriors

• Armor

• Helmets

Like kabuto displays, they traditionally symbolize strength and protection.

You may notice these displays in :

• Department stores

• Shopping malls

• Homes

• Hotels

• Community facilities

during the weeks leading up to May 5.

7. Traditional Children’s Day Food

Of course, Japanese holidays often come with food.

Two traditional sweets commonly associated with this season are :

Kashiwa Mochi

柏餅（Kashiwa Mochi）

A rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in an oak leaf.

The leaf is generally not eaten.

Chimaki

ちまき（Chimaki）

A traditional rice-based food wrapped in leaves, with regional variations.

If your Japanese coworkers give you one around Children’s Day, now you know why!

8. What Do Families Do on Children’s Day?

There isn’t one required way to celebrate.

Families may :

• Spend time together

• Visit parks

• Display koinobori

• Display kabuto or warrior dolls

• Eat traditional sweets

• Attend community events

• Visit attractions

• Take a short Golden Week trip

For OFW families, it can simply be a good opportunity to enjoy a day together.

9. Children's Day and Children's Welfare Week

Children’s Day also begins :

こどもまんなか 児童福祉週間

Children’s Welfare Week

This runs every year from May 5 to May 11 and encourages society to think about children, families, and creating environments where children can grow up healthy and supported.

So Children’s Day isn't only about decorations and family outings. It also carries a broader message about children's well-being.

10. Do OFWs Automatically Have No Work?

Not necessarily.

Children’s Day is an official national holiday, but your actual work schedule still depends on your :

• Employment contract

• Company calendar

• Shift schedule

• Workplace

• Industry

If you work in :

• Restaurants

• Hotels

• Convenience stores

• Retail

• Hospitals

• Factories

• Transportation

• Tourism

you may still be scheduled to work.

So remember :

“National holiday” doesn't automatically mean “walang pasok.”

Check your company schedule.

11. Government Offices May Be Closed

Government offices are generally closed on national holidays.

This can affect services at :

• City Hall

• Ward Office

• Government agencies

• Other administrative counters

If you need to process important documents, it's better to do it before or after Golden Week.

12. Check Your Bank Schedule

Many bank branches are closed during national holidays.

ATMs and online banking may still be available depending on the institution, but some transactions may follow different processing schedules.

Because May 3, 4, and 5 are consecutive national holidays, plan important financial transactions ahead.

13. Plan Your Remittance Ahead

Kung kailangan mong magpadala ng pera sa family sa Pilipinas during Golden Week, don't wait until the last minute.

Check :

• Remittance processing schedule

• Bank schedules

• Payout availability

• Japanese holidays

• Philippine holidays

• When your beneficiary needs the money

If the money is needed for tuition, rent, bills, groceries, medicine, or another important expense, sending ahead of the holiday period can help avoid unnecessary delays.

14. Expect Golden Week Crowds

May 5 falls during one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods.

Expect more people at :

• Train stations

• Airports

• Shinkansen

• Expressways

• Theme parks

• Zoos

• Aquariums

• Shopping malls

• Tourist attractions

• Parks

If you're planning a family trip, book early.

Useful Japanese Words

こどもの日（Kodomo no Hi） – Children’s Day

子ども（Kodomo） – Child / children

鯉のぼり（Koinobori） – Carp streamers

兜（Kabuto） – Samurai helmet

五月人形（Gogatsu Ningyō） – May/warrior dolls

柏餅（Kashiwa Mochi） – Traditional rice cake associated with Children’s Day

ちまき（Chimaki） – Traditional wrapped rice food

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

ゴールデンウィーク（Gōruden Wīku） – Golden Week

Children’s Day Checklist for OFWs

• Remember that Children’s Day is every May 5.

• Check your company’s Golden Week schedule.

• Don’t automatically assume you have no work.

• Process important government paperwork beforehand.

• Check banking schedules.

• Plan important remittances ahead.

• Book transportation early if traveling.

• Expect family attractions to be crowded.

• Look out for koinobori displays in your community.

• If you have children, use the day to spend some quality time together.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

If you have kids in Japan, Children’s Day is a great opportunity to introduce them to Japanese culture while keeping your own Filipino family traditions.

You don't need to buy an expensive kabuto or plan a big vacation. Take them to see the koinobori, try Japanese Children's Day food, visit a nearby park, or simply have a family meal at home.

And if you're working on May 5, don't feel like you need to copy exactly how other families celebrate. You can always create your own simple celebration before or after work.

Children’s Day（こどもの日） is celebrated every May 5 to respect children as individuals, wish for their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers. It has been an official Japanese national holiday since 1948.

For OFWs, it's also another chance to understand the culture of the country where you live and work. When you see colorful koinobori flying across Japan, remember what they represent: hopes for children to grow healthy, strong, and ready to face the future.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga OFW sa Japan hindi lamang sa remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical information tungkol sa Japanese culture, holidays, at everyday life para mas maging informed, prepared, at confident habang naninirahan sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.