Family Day (Famirī no Hi)

What Is Family Day?

Every year on May 4th is "Family Day" in Japan. It was established by Totenko Co., Ltd., which operates Chinese restaurants. In 1985, when it was decided that May 4th -- sandwiched between two national holidays -- would become a "citizens' holiday," Totenko noted that there had been no day celebrating the whole family. It publicly solicited a fitting nickname for the new day off, and "Family Day" was chosen. The day expresses the hope that, in the middle of Golden Week, people will reflect on their families and cherish time spent together.

How the Holiday Changed and Family Day

The name "Family Day" reflects the mood of the time when May 4th first became a day off.

• From "citizens' holiday" to "Greenery Day": May 4th became a day off as a "citizens' holiday," falling between Constitution Memorial Day (May 3rd) and Children's Day (May 5th). Since 2007, it has been the national holiday "Greenery Day."
• A nickname chosen from public entries: Totenko's call for nicknames is said to have drawn more than 2,500 entries, and "Family Day" was chosen with the help of the writer Arashiyama Kozaburo.

Totenko and Family Day

Totenko, the company behind this day, has long run Chinese restaurants as places where families and friends gather.

• Founded beside Shinobazu Pond in Ueno: Totenko's first restaurant opened in 1961 beside Shinobazu Pond in Ueno, Tokyo. It is said to have been an exceptionally large restaurant for its time.
• The joy of sharing large platters: Chinese cuisine is known for dishes served on large platters and shared by everyone at the table -- a perfect fit for family meals, and the restaurant has made Family Day-themed suggestions along these lines.

Interesting Facts About Family

• The origin of "family": The English word "family" comes from the Latin "familia." Originally it referred not only to relatives but to the whole household, including servants living under the same roof.
• May 15 is the "International Day of Families": The United Nations' International Day of Families also falls in May. It is a day to raise awareness of issues related to families.
• May is full of family events: With Children's Day and Mother's Day (the second Sunday in May), May is a month full of family-related occasions. Family Day can be seen as the first of these chances to think about family.
• Family history in "kamon" crests: Japan has a culture of family crests (kamon), symbols of each household. There are said to be anywhere from several thousand to over 20,000 designs, serving as family emblems handed down from ancestors.

Tips for Spending Family Day

• Reach out to family or friends you rarely have time to talk with. If they're far away, give them a call or video chat; if they're nearby, take a walk together in a park full of fresh greenery. Even without a special event, time spent together is a gift in itself.
• Share family "history" and "memories." Open an old photo album or listen to stories from someone's childhood -- you may discover something unexpected.
• Put your gratitude into a concrete form. Just for today, express the "thank you" you're usually too shy to say with a message or a small treat.
• Gather around the table together. Sharing food from large platters naturally gets the conversation going. If you're spending the day alone, treat yourself to a slightly special meal and take it easy.

Time Spent Laughing and Talking Together Becomes Your Heart's "Home"

May 4th is a day to turn your gratitude toward the people who support you. A family doesn't have to take an ideal form. Sometimes you clash, and sometimes it feels like a hassle. Even so, having people who walk through life alongside you is a great source of strength. Amid the rush of the new fiscal year, have you been stretching yourself a little too far? Today, relax, and recharge in a place where you can simply be yourself.