Hai Cheese! Day

What Is Hai Cheese! Day?

August 22nd is "Hai Cheese! Day" in Japan, established by Sen Co., Ltd. of Chiyoda, Tokyo — operator of "Hai Cheese!," a photo sales service for nursery schools and kindergartens, whose motto is "A thousand smiles from a single photo." The day was registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2016.

A Straightforward Pun on "Ha-i-Chee-zu"

The familiar phrase said when taking a photo directly inspired this anniversary's date.

• The date's origin: writing August 22 as "8/22" and treating the slash as a "1," it reads "ha (8) i (1) chee (2) zu (2)," spelling out "hai cheese"
• What the "Hai Cheese!" service does: photographs everyday moments and events at nursery schools and kindergartens, which parents can then purchase online
• Roots of the phrase: the Japanese "hai, cheese" is said to come from the English "Say cheese!" — saying "cheese" pulls the corners of the mouth up into what looks like a smile

The Universal Warmth of "Say Cheese"

The phrase "hai cheese" ("say cheese"), used as a cue when taking a photo, naturally draws out a smile and has been cherished across generations. Behind this casual phrase lies a wish to preserve a moment as a treasured memory.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Look back through photos of your children or family
• Organize the photos you've been accumulating into an album or digital archive
• Take a commemorative photo with family or friends
• Think about ways to preserve a record of your child's growth

"Say Cheese" -- Carrying a Moment of Smiles Into the Future

Even the most ordinary everyday moment becomes a treasured, timeless memory once captured in a photograph. Let August 22nd be a chance to capture this very moment with someone important to you, with a cheerful "say cheese."