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Ochanomizu: Tokyo’s Living Instrument District in the Digital Age

As cities evolve, they often begin to resemble one another, shaped by familiar patterns of development. Yet some places retain a character of their own—and continue to be chosen, generation after generation. Ochanomizu is one of them. View of the Kanda River and railway tracks from Hijiri Bridge The area around JR Ochanomizu Station is defined by its complex terrain. With landmarks like Hijiri Bridge and the steep slopes running along the Kanda River, the neighborhood offers a vivid sense of Tokyo’s layered geography. Simply walking through it, you begin to understand just how intricate the city really is. And then, along those slopes overlooking the river valley, an unexpected scene unfolds. Shops with walls covered entirely in guitars. Showcases filled with vintage brass instruments. Out front, young musicians pick up instruments and play—faces serious, completely absorbed in the moment. Even today, Ochanomizu remains one of the largest and most concentrated musical instrume...
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What Is Shichi-Go-San? Japan’s Charming “Seven-Five-Three” Celebration on November 15



Today is November 15, the peak of Japan’s Shichi-Go-San season. If you visit a shrine around this time, you’ll notice families lined up for blessings, children dressed in colorful kimono, and a warm, festive atmosphere that feels uniquely Japanese.

“Seven-Five-Three”: A Name as Literal as It Is Charming

In Japanese, Shichi-Go-San is literally just a string of numbers: Seven-Five-Three. Yet anyone in Japan instantly knows that these numbers refer to a special children's celebration.

Traditionally, the ages were:

  • 3-year-olds (boys and girls)

  • 5-year-old boys

  • 7-year-old girls

These categories came from ancient coming-of-age rituals:

  • Kamioki (Age 3): Children began growing out their hair.

  • Hakamagi (Age 5): Boys wore a hakama for the first time.

  • Obitoki (Age 7): Girls began wearing a formal obi belt.

Modern families often still follow this pattern, but more people now focus on the spirit of wishing for a child’s healthy growth, regardless of strict age or gender categories. Many celebrate siblings together, shift the timing, or personalize the custom to suit their family.

Why November 15? A Date With Several Possible Origins

The exact reason isn’t entirely clear, but a few explanations are popular:

  • A ceremony for a Tokugawa shogun’s child is said to have taken place on November 15.

  • In the old Japanese calendar, this date was considered lucky.

  • November is harvest season, a natural time to give thanks for growth.

For these reasons, November 15 gradually became traditional—though today most families celebrate anytime in October or November.

How Families Celebrate Today

Shichi-Go-San is historically a Shinto celebration, so many families visit a shrine. However, the modern practice is quite flexible and not strongly doctrinal, which is why it’s commonly viewed as a cultural custom rather than a strictly religious ritual.

Because of this cultural nature, families approach the day in many different ways:

  • Some request a formal blessing from the shrine.

  • Others simply dress up, visit, and offer a casual prayer.

  • Many parents treat the day primarily as a photo-focused celebration, with studio sessions or outdoor photos becoming the main event.

And although the tradition is rooted in Shinto, families also visit well-known Buddhist temples that offer their own style of child-related blessings. This doesn’t reflect blending of religions so much as the fact that modern Shichi-Go-San is a broad cultural milestone, and families choose places they feel connected to.
A famous example in Tokyo is Nishiarai Daishi, a major Buddhist temple that draws large crowds for Shichi-Go-San.

Popular spots in Tokyo include:

  • Meiji Jingu (Shibuya)


  • Hie Shrine (Akasaka)

  • Asakusa Shrine (Asakusa)



  • Yushima Tenjin (Bunkyo)

  • Nishiarai Daishi (Adachi) — a temple known for its child-blessings


Children wear kimono or formal outfits, and girls sometimes have light makeup. Families take photos and enjoy chitose-ame, the long “thousand-year candy” symbolizing longevity.

A Fun Part of the Tradition: Shichi-Go-San Photos

Shichi-Go-San portraits often become cherished childhood photos. They’re adorable, slightly awkward, and unforgettable—tiny princesses or miniature samurai smiling bravely under layers of silk.

As the years go by, these photos become even more enjoyable to look back on. Parents are reminded of how small their children once were, while the children themselves may or may not remember the day—often feeling a mix of nostalgia and a hint of embarrassment.

From time to time, a celebrity will share their old Shichi-Go-San photo online, prompting a wave of friendly laughter. Because the style is so instantly recognizable, it naturally becomes a shared point of conversation for many people.

Shichi-Go-San Goes Global

Since it was the big day, I stopped by Asakusa Shrine to experience the atmosphere myself. I noticed a few overseas visitors with children dressed in kimono for the occasion. The scene felt warm and heartwarming.

There are also photo studios—especially in tourist-friendly areas—that offer Shichi-Go-San–style kimono photo sessions. For families traveling in Japan with children around these ages, experiencing Shichi-Go-San can become an unforgettable memory.

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