Shichi-Go-San Festival

November is the month of Koyo (Autumn foliage) in Japan, but also the month of Shichi-Go-San (七五三) Celebrations. The origins of this festival are in the Heian Period (794-1185).
It is a coming-of-age festival that takes place every year on or around November 15th. Children aged three, five and seven dressed up in traditional kimonos are taken to shrines and offered blessings by priests to ensure good fortune and longevity . It marks the passage of children into their middle childhood and as per Japanese numerology these odd ages are lucky for children.
Chitose-ame (千歳飴), literally thousand year candy, is given to children on this day. It is a long, thin, white and red candy, which represents healthy growth and longevity. They are put in a paper bag with a crane and a turtle on it, which symbolize long life in Japan.