Regional/Cultural Day
Kodomo no Hi
The final day of Golden Week, and the day to celebrate children's health and happiness. Families with sons fly koinobori (carp streamers) outside their homes: one for the father (black), one for the mother (red), and one for each son (blue or other colors). The carp is chosen because of the Chinese legend that a carp swims up a waterfall to become a dragon, symbolizing strength and perseverance. The house is decorated with a gogatsu ningyo (May doll) depicting a samurai warrior, and the food is kashiwa-mochi (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves).
