Piggyback Day (Onbu no Hi)

What Is Piggyback Day?

February 2nd is "Piggyback Day" (Onbu no Hi) every year. It was established by a mother living in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, who made an onbu-himo (back-carrying strap) that lets parents carry children on their backs more easily than before, and it is registered with the Japan Anniversary Association. The "2" of February represents the parent doing the carrying, and the "2" of the 2nd represents the child being carried — along with a wish that "both parent and child smile happily."

The "Sense of Security" and "Bond" Nurtured by Piggybacking

The greatest appeal of piggybacking is the sense of closeness between parent and child. By directly feeling the warmth and heartbeat of the parent's back, the child gains a deep sense of security. Unlike front-carrying, piggybacking is also unique in that it lets the child "share the same field of view" as the parent. Experiencing what the parent sees, what surprises them, and what makes them laugh — over the parent's shoulder — is something only back-carrying offers.

A Japanese Wisdom for Balancing Housework and Childcare

Since ancient times, piggybacking has been an essential parenting style in Japan. By carrying a child on the back, both hands become free, allowing efficient cooking, laundry, and farm work. Piggybacking is the crystallization of a rational and deeply loving Japanese wisdom — keeping a child from feeling isolated, always within the warmth of a parent, even amid a busy day.

The "High-Back Piggyback" Style

One style that's recently been reevaluated is "high-back piggybacking," where the child's face appears over the parent's shoulder. With a higher position, the child's field of view widens and the parent's hands and face are close by, making it easier to look at the same things and talk together. When using a carrier, wear it correctly as the instructions say and check the child's position and posture often.

Piggybacking as a "Safe Base for the Heart"

For a child, a parent's back is a "safe base for the heart" they can always return to. Even after a scary experience out in the world, clinging to that back means being protected. Offering that sense of security is one of the joys of piggybacking. Piggyback Day is a reminder of the importance of "the love conveyed through a parent's back."

5 Benefits of Piggybacking

• Frees up both hands: Makes housework and caring for older siblings much smoother.
• Shared field of view: Seeing the same scenery as the parent makes it easy to chat together.
• Stable posture: Being closer to the parent's center of gravity can feel less strenuous on the back and shoulders than front-carrying.
• Warmth: Body warmth passes through the parent's back, helping the child feel secure.
• Useful in emergencies: Piggybacking, which frees both hands, is highly effective during evacuations or on uneven terrain.

Modern Styles of Piggybacking

Today, in addition to traditional "hekoobi" sashes and old-fashioned baby-carrier straps, multifunctional baby carriers like Ergobaby that support piggybacking have become mainstream. Choosing tools that suit your lifestyle and body type makes piggybacking more comfortable to enjoy. What matters most isn't the shape of the tool, but the message conveyed through your back: "I'm always with you."

Tips for Enjoying Piggyback Day

• Try doing housework today while piggybacking your child, and talk to them a lot from your back
• Ask your grandparents about their own piggybacking memories from the past
• Check in the mirror whether your own baby carrier is positioned correctly (in the "high" position)
• Have dads try piggybacking too, so the child can experience the security of a different, broader back than mom's

The Warm Memories Conveyed Through a Back

Piggyback Day is a day to bring parent and child closer together. Even if your child has "graduated" from being carried, today might be the day to indulge a little "carry me!" request, or to recall the memory of being piggybacked as a child yourself. On February 2nd, why not deepen your family bonds through the warmth conveyed from a parent's back?