Shichi-Go-San is Japan’s cherished coming-of-age ceremony for children aged three, five, and seven. Families visit shrines between late October and late November, with peak congestion on the second and third weekends of November. The five most popular Kanto destinations are Meiji Jingu, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Hie Jinja, Kanda Myojin, and Yushima Tenmangu.
Dress codes are flexible: traditional kimono (hifu sets for three-year-olds, hakama for five-year-old boys, obi-sash furisode for seven-year-old girls) or smart western attire are both acceptable. Rental kimono packages with on-site dressing assistance typically run ¥5,000–30,000. The standard purification offering (hatsumairi-ryo) ranges from ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 depending on the shrine.
For photography, aim for the moments immediately after the ceremony when children are relaxed. Mid-November offers stunning backdrops of autumn leaves against the kimono palette. Arrive early — 9 a.m. on weekdays — to beat the crowds and capture golden-morning light on the approach paths.
Final update: 21 May 2026