Kimono, Childhood, and the Warmth of Japanese Winter
Life in Japan - Issue 004
Thank you as always for reading Spiritual Japan Journal.
This week, I’m bringing you another edition of Life in Japan.
As November begins, the season in Japan is shifting from autumn to winter.
At shrines, you can see children dressed in kimono for Shichi-Go-San, while stores display ads for kotatsu and hot-pot dishes.
The air is gradually turning cooler, and warm food and cozy spaces start to feel especially inviting.
This week’s issue introduces three aspects of November in Japan:
the traditional celebration Shichi-Go-San that honors children’s growth, the beloved winter comfort kotatsu, and the current situation surrounding bear attacks in Japan.
Through these seasonal scenes, I hope to share both the culture woven into daily life and what is happening in the country today.
Shichi-Go-San — A Day to Celebrate Children’s Growth
In November, it’s common to see families at shrines with children dressed in colorful kimono.
The celebration known as Shichi-Go-San (“seven-five-three”) is a traditional Japanese event that prays for the healthy growth and happiness of children at the ages of three, five, and seven.
The origins of Shichi-Go-San trace back to the Heian period (8th–12th century).
Among court nobles, there were rituals to mark the first time a child’s hair was allowed to grow or when they first wore a formal hakama.
During the Edo period (17th–19th century), these customs spread to ordinary townspeople, eventually becoming the shrine visits we see today.
In earlier times, medical care was limited, and many children did not survive illnesses at a young age.
For families, reaching the ages of three, five, and seven was itself a reason for deep gratitude and celebration.
The event expresses parents’ heartfelt thanks that their child has grown safely and their prayers for continued health.
Each age has its own meaning.
At age three, both boys and girls celebrate kami-oki (“letting the hair grow”), marking the year when children, who had traditionally had their heads shaved, began to grow their hair.
At age five, boys celebrate hakama-gi, wearing formal hakama pants for the first time.
At age seven, girls celebrate obi-toki, when they begin to wear the same type of sash (obi) as adult women.
At three, children wear a sleeveless kimono called hifu, without an obi; at seven, they wear a full kimono with an obi, just like adults.
Each of these milestones is treasured as a step in a child’s growth.
A familiar symbol of Shichi-Go-San is Chitose-ame, long red-and-white candy sticks that represent wishes for a long and happy life.
The word chitose means “a thousand years,” and the candy’s bag is often decorated with cranes and turtles—symbols of longevity.
Although the official day of Shichi-Go-San is November 15, many families now visit shrines on the nearest weekend.
Events like this, which celebrate family milestones, remain an important part of daily life in Japan.
Children who cried or squirmed during their prayers at age three often sit quietly and attentively by age five or seven—moments that remind families how quickly they are growing.
If you visit Japan in November, you may come across this heart-warming sight of children walking through shrine grounds in kimono.
It captures both the warmth of family life and the gentle beauty of the season.
Kotatsu and the First Snow — Preparing for Winter in Japan
Reports of the first snowfall are beginning to arrive from across the country.
In Hokkaido and the Tōhoku region, the first accumulation of snow has already been observed, while in Kyushu, the autumn leaves are at their peak.
The pace of the seasons varies from place to place, but winter’s presence is gradually being felt throughout Japan.
When people think of Japanese winter, many picture the kotatsu—a heated table covered by a quilt, unique to Japan.
A heater is built beneath the table, trapping warmth under the blanket so people can stay cozy from the feet up.
It’s a place where family and friends naturally gather.
The kotatsu has a long history. It evolved from the irori (sunken hearth) used during the Muromachi period (14th–16th century).
People once placed a cloth over the hearth to keep heat from escaping—that was the beginning of the kotatsu.
Later, the charcoal-heated horigotatsu and today’s electric versions appeared, adapting to changing times while remaining a symbol of winter comfort.
Interestingly, Hokkaido—the coldest region in Japan—has one of the lowest kotatsu ownership rates in the country.
In some surveys, it ranks even lower than subtropical Okinawa.
This is because homes in northern Japan are extremely well-insulated and equipped with central heating, keeping entire houses warm.
People there can comfortably spend winter indoors wearing light clothing.
In contrast, homes in Honshu and Kyushu are built differently and often rely on localized heating, making the kotatsu an essential part of daily winter life.
I grew up in Hokkaido and had never used a kotatsu as a child—none of my friends’ homes had one either.
It wasn’t until I moved into a small apartment as an adult that I bought my first kotatsu and learned how comforting it can be on a cold winter night.
Modern kotatsu come in many forms: the traditional low table for sitting on the floor, dining-table styles with chairs, and compact versions for single living.
Sitting under a warm kotatsu while eating mikan oranges, or sharing nabe or oden with family, brings a simple happiness unique to Japanese winter.
It’s one of the cultural experiences I hope visitors will try when they come to Japan.
A room with a kotatsu represents more than a heating device—it symbolizes connection and togetherness.
As the air outside turns cold, the warmth beneath the kotatsu feels even more comforting.
I hope you will enjoy the charm of Japan in autumn and winter—the beauty of the changing leaves and the quiet comfort of time spent around the kotatsu.
But there is one thing to be aware of this year: bears.
Throughout Japan, bear sightings and attacks have reached record levels.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, as of November 2025, more than 100 people have been injured and 13 have died since April.
Although bears would normally be entering hibernation, a shortage of acorns and other food has driven them into residential areas and even near schools.
In response, the government deployed police special units armed with rifles to Akita and Iwate prefectures on November 13.
These teams are supporting regions where the aging hunter population can no longer keep up with increasing bear encounters.
However, safely capturing or killing a bear requires considerable skill, and field operations remain tense.
If you plan to enjoy autumn leaves or hiking in Japan, it’s safest to avoid early morning and evening hours, carry a bell or radio, and check local reports before you go.
Japan’s closeness to nature is part of its beauty, but maintaining that respectful distance is just as important.
When you visit, I hope you’ll stay safe and enjoy Japan’s rich and beautiful nature.
—Written by Sumire
Thank you for your interesting article. I was in Japan last November and saw the children dressed for shichi-go-san at the shrines. I hadn't realised that they occurred at that particular time of year. Unfortunately we didn't have a kotatsu at our accommodation, it had been replaced by central heating.
Sumire, Thank you for writing and for sharing this wonderful, educational piece. I didn't know that kotatsu aren't commonly used in Hokkaido. As always, I enjoy learning from your writings!