Fathers Day in Japan (known by the Japanese as 父の日 or Chichi No Hi), is similar to Father’s Day in other countries. Like many countries, it falls on the third Sunday of every June, so it varies every year! Unlike many countries who place quality time as a form of celebration/display gratitude on this special day, the Japanese regards it as an occasion in which to display gratitude by gift-giving.

Terms For Father in Japanese

Unlike english, there are two terms that are mainly used for "father" in Japanese: "chichi (父)" and "otousan (お父さん)". "Chichi" is used when referring your own father, and "otousan" is used when referring somebody else's father. "Papa" is also used when addressing or referring to your own father and is mainly used by children. "Tousan" and "touchan" are informal ways of saying "otousan". "Oyaji" is another informal term for "father", which is mainly used by men!

How do the Japanese Celebrate Father’s Day?

Break out the sake and eel - they say!

Majority of the Japanese do gifting - for Children in Japan, they make their dads homemade gifts, traditionally a homemade beer or champagne glass. According to the Rakuten survey, the most popular gifts are what Japanese call shiko-hin, which typically includes alcohol and cigarettes (23.2%) followed by ‘food including sweets’ (21.8%) and ‘clothes’ (16.1%).

Alcohol includes beer, local sake and shouchuu (an indigenous alcoholic beverage, which usually contains 25% alcohol). Beers, especially limited edition versions or premium brews are a popular choice of Father’s Day gift. People also like to make customised labels for gifts with either the recipient's name or a message.  Food - A popular gifting food includes unagi. In a Japanese context, unagi is usually considered as luxurious and reserved for special occasions. Clothing - Jinbei is a traditional item of Japanese clothing that is considered to be rather casual when compared to the design of a formal kimono. 

According to a survey by research firm Cross Marketing, the most popular way to celebrate Father’s Day in Japan is to ‘give presents’ (66.1% of all respondents who have celebrated Father’s Day before), followed by wanting to ‘spend time with family’ (46.4%).

Beyond Gift-Giving

Japanese Father’s Day celebrations don’t typically go beyond gift-giving, which what makes this occasion a unique tradition in Japan. For example, in the United States, spending quality time with one’s father is a popular tradition, and this isn’t the case for the Japanese. However, according to an article from SoraNews24, Japanese fathers expressed that they aside from monetary gifts, they would appreciate something more heartfelt —like a thoughtful note of gratitude, or good quality time with their children.

9 Thoughtful Japanese Phrases For Father’s Day

Credits: https://blogs.transparent.com/japanese/10-japanese-phrases-for-fathers-day/

Surprise your father with a twist - something different from your usual wishes!

1. Itsumo arigatou！- Thank you always! いつも　ありがとう！

2. Kazokuno tameni itsumo ganbatte kurete arigatou! –  Thank you for working so hard always for our family! 家族の　ために　いつも　頑張ってくれて　ありがとう。かぞくの　ために　いつも　がんばってくれて　ありがとう。

3.  Otou san ga itekurete totemo kansha shite imasu. – We are very thankful to have you. お父さんが　いてくれて　とても　感謝　して　います。おとうさんが　いてくれて　とても　かんしゃ　して　います

4.  Karada ni kio tsukete kudasai. – Please take care of yourself. 体に　気を付けて　ください。からだに　きをつけて　ください。

5.  Chichi no hi no prezento o kiniitte kureruto ureshii desu. – I hope you will like our Father’s Day gift. 父の日の　プレゼント　を　気に入ってくれると　嬉しい　です。ちちのひ　の　プレゼント　を　きにいってくれると　うれしい　です。

6.  Chichi no hi no gifuto ni, otou san no sukina osake o okurimasu. – I am sending you the sake you like as a gift for Father’s Day. 父の日の　ギフト　に　お父さんの　好きな　お酒を　送ります。　ちちのひの　ぎふとに　おとうさんの　すきな　おさけを　おくります。

7.  Otousann ni aitai desu. – I miss you, dad. お父さんに　会いたい　です。　おとうさんに　あいたい　です。

8.  Kenkou de itekudasai. – Please stay healthy. 健康で　いてください。　けんこうで　いてください。

9.  Nomisugi nai dene. – Please don’t drink to much. 飲みすぎないでね。のみすぎ　ないでね。

Statistics has shown that Father’s Day is underrated compared to Mother’s Day in terms of gifting and appreciation. Apart from gift-giving or gathering dinners, there are many ways to express your gratitude. Show your father/father figure that you appreciate him today with something small - it could impressing him with thoughtful phrase(s) you’ve learnt (you’re welcome), or a simple hug with heartfelt words.

A little goes a long way - it’s corny but true.

To all fathers and father figures out there, we wish you a happy father’s day, chi chi no hi omedeto ! x