Kanreki Fireworks Day
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What Is Kanreki Fireworks Day?
December 5th is "Kanreki Fireworks Day" in Japan. The date reflects a simple calculation: the twelve zodiac signs cycling five times equals sixty years -- 12 x 5 = 60 -- the age of kanreki. It was established by Wakamatsuya Co., Ltd., a company based in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, that handles toy fireworks and aerial fireworks, and it is certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association.
Twelve Times Five Makes Sixty
Kanreki marks the point at which a person returns to the zodiac sign of their birth year, and it has long been celebrated in Japan. This day frames that milestone not merely as a celebration of longevity but as the start of a second life.
- Origin of the date: five turns of the twelve-year zodiac cycle equal 60 years (12 x 5 = 60)
- Established by: Wakamatsuya Co., Ltd.
- Certification: registered with the Japan Anniversary Association
- Activity: launching red fireworks at sites across Japan to celebrate kanreki
Why Red Fireworks?
The red chanchanko vest is the familiar symbol of a kanreki celebration, and this project carries the same color into the night sky with red fireworks. The first event, on December 5, 2025, ran for ten minutes from 7 p.m., with each site launching 60 red shells -- 20 each of sizes 2.5, 3 and 4 -- and was held simultaneously at sites across Japan. Looking up at fireworks in winter, rather than summer, makes the day unusual in itself.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Send a note to someone you know who has reached sixty
- Count what year you or your family members will reach kanreki
- Look into the meaning behind the red of kanreki
- Check whether a winter fireworks event is being held near you
Celebrating a Milestone in the Night Sky
The day pairs two things deeply familiar in Japan: kanreki and fireworks. December 5th invites a thought about how we mark the turning points of a life.