If you visit Japan in early May, you might come across a curious little sweet wrapped in a large green leaf, Kashiwa Mochi (柏餅). This traditional rice cake, filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in an oak leaf, is more than just a seasonal snack. It’s a meaningful treat associated with Children’s Day, celebrated on May 5th.
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A Sweet with Deep Roots
The oak leaf is not edible, but it plays an important symbolic role. In Japan, oak trees are known for keeping their old leaves until new ones sprout, a sign of family continuity and prosperity. Kashiwa Mochi is eaten to honor this idea and to celebrate the healthy growth of the next generation.
And by the way, it pairs perfectly with a cup of Japanese green tea. Try it with a slightly bitter sencha or bancha for a refreshingly balanced taste! Of course, matcha also goes well with it.
The tea in the photo is kamairicha (made from bancha leaves) from Oita Prefecture – a casual, everyday kind of tea with a light astringent touch.
What Is Children’s Day?
Children’s Day, or Kodomo no Hi, is a national holiday dedicated to celebrating children’s health and happiness. It is part of Golden Week, a series of national holidays when many people travel and tourist spots get extremely crowded.
(If you are planning a trip to Japan, it is often better to avoid Golden Week. But if you are already here, it is the perfect time to discover seasonal traditions like Kashiwa Mochi and flying carp streamers!)
A Bit of History
While today it is a day for all children, May 5th has its roots in a traditional festival called Tango no Sekku, which was especially focused on boys during the Edo period. Back then, boys were seen as the ones to carry on the family name, so the day was dedicated to wishing them strength and success, a wish still reflected in many of the customs we see today.
Flying Carp and Iris-scented Baths
Outside many homes, you will see koinobori – vibrant carp-shaped streamers fluttering in the wind. The carp is a symbol of perseverance, drawn from a Chinese legend about a carp swimming upstream to become a dragon. Each fish represents a family member, swimming toward a bright future.
We also found this cute koinobori wagashi below.
Another tradition is the shōbu-yu, a bath filled with iris leaves, believed to protect against evil and promote health. For, the word shōbu means both “iris” and “fight” in Japanese, linking this tradition to strength and perseverance.
Fewer families do this at home nowadays, but many public bathhouses offer shōbu-yu on May 5th only, a unique chance to experience this soothing, old-school custom.
So next time you are in Japan in early May, don’t just admire the decorations — try a kashiwa mochi with some tea, look up at the carp streamers, and if you are lucky, soak in a warm iris-scented bath. It is one of the most heartwarming ways to experience Japanese culture, one leaf-wrapped sweet at a time.