Celebrate Japan’s Boys' Day on May 5th – Hot Spring Hotel Turns Sea Bream into Samurai Armor

▲ Stacked display of “Gogatsu Ningyo - Kabuto Sanshoku Kazari” (samurai helmet in three tiers). (Photo / Provided by Nikko Kaga Ryokan)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Comprehensive report

To celebrate Japan’s Boys' Day (May 5th), from now until May 5th, Nikko Kaga Ryokan will display traditional Boys' Day decorations in the hotel, along with limited-edition Boys' Day dishes designed to resemble samurai helmets and carp streamers.

May 5th originally came to Japan from China as the Dragon Boat Festival. In ancient times, people were prone to illness during the rapidly changing weather of May, so they hung iris and mugwort at their doors to ward off evil and prevent disease. The Japanese word for iris, “shōbu,” sounds similar to “victory” or “martial spirit,” so the Dragon Boat Festival gradually evolved into Japan’s Boys' Day. This also gave rise to the custom of displaying samurai armor or dolls known as “Gogatsu Ningyo” (May dolls) in homes to pray for boys’ good fortune and future success.

%Which guest rooms serve these artistic dishes?

Nikko Kaga Ryokan stated that this year’s limited-edition Boys' Day kaiseki course features grilled sea bream crafted to resemble a samurai helmet, paired with a variety of seasonal dishes, priced at 2,800 yen + 10%. The hotel will also display the stacked “Gogatsu Ningyo - Kabuto Sanshoku Kazari” decoration, and has planned DIY origami workshops and children’s yukata experiences, allowing young Taiwanese guests to enjoy Japanese festival culture.