How does Japan celebrate Mother's Day (and why take inspiration from it)?

Did you know that Mother's Day is also celebrated in Japan today? Yes, just like in Quebec, the second Sunday in May is an opportunity for millions of Japanese families to pay tribute to the woman who gives so much, often in silence.

But how do we celebrate mothers on the other side of the globe? What gifts do we give them? And what is the place of mothers in Japanese culture, between deep-rooted traditions and unapologetic modernity?

Make yourself comfortable: we're taking you to Japan for a celebration full of sweetness, respect... and red flowers!

A celebration with a touch of tradition: origins, symbols and gifts

In Japan, Mother's Day, called "Haha no Hi" (母の日) , is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, as it is in many Western countries. This celebration is an opportunity for children to express their gratitude and love for their mothers through symbolic gestures and traditional gifts.

Origins of Mother's Day in Japan

Mother's Day was first celebrated in Japan in the early 20th century. There are several theories about its origins:

• Western influence : The celebration was introduced by Christian missionaries and foreign teachers, including an American professor at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, who organized events to honor mothers. These initiatives helped popularize the holiday in Christian and educational circles in Japan. ( source )
• Celebration of Empress Kōjun : In 1931, Mother's Day was celebrated on March 6 to coincide with the birthday of Empress Kōjun, mother of Emperor Akihito. This date was chosen to symbolize respect and love for mothers. ( source )

After World War II, in 1949, Mother's Day was aligned with the United States' date of the second Sunday in May and became a national celebration in Japan. ( source )

The strong symbol of the red carnation (カーネーション)

The red carnation is the iconic symbol of Mother's Day in Japan. It represents maternal love, purity, and gentleness. This tradition has its roots in American celebrations, where Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother's Day in the United States, distributed white carnations in memory of her deceased mother. In Japan, the red carnation has become the preferred choice for honoring living mothers. It's a bit like our red roses on Valentine's Day!

Giving a bouquet of red carnations is a simple yet meaningful way to express love and gratitude to your mother. These flowers are often accompanied by written messages or handmade cards.

Traditional gifts: calligraphy, poems, children's drawings, homemade meals

Beyond flowers, traditional gifts given to mothers in Japan are imbued with sincerity and personalization:

Calligraphy (書道): Children often learn to write kanji expressing feelings such as "love" (愛) or "thank you" (ありがとう) and give them to their mothers as artistic calligraphy. These works are sometimes framed and kept as treasured keepsakes.

Poems (詩): Writing a poem expressing one's feelings for one's mother is a touching tradition. These poems can be written in classical or modern style, and are often accompanied by drawings or decorations.

Children's Drawings: Young children create drawings of their mothers or happy family scenes. These naive works of art are cherished by mothers and often displayed in the home.

Home-cooked meals : Preparing a meal for your mother is a common way to show affection. Traditional dishes include foods she particularly enjoys, and the meal is often shared as a family in a warm atmosphere.

These simple yet meaningful gestures reflect the importance of gratitude and respect for mothers in Japanese culture. They strengthen family bonds and pass on essential values ​​to younger generations.

And today? What Japanese mothers will receive in 2025

Over the decades, Mother's Day in Japan has evolved, much like Japanese society itself. While simple and symbolic gestures still have their place, gift choices in 2025 reflect a subtle balance between modernity, sensitivity, and deep values. Let's take a look at what Japanese mothers like to receive today.

From flower to high-tech gadget: the evolution of gifts

From the 1970s to the 1990s, red carnations and children's drawings remained the must-haves. Then, as consumerism intensified in the 2000s, new types of gifts emerged. Japanese retailers began offering dedicated selections for Mother's Day: gourmet gift boxes, fashion accessories, massagers, and small appliances for the kitchen or wellness.

In 2025, it is no longer uncommon to see adult children offering their mothers:

• connected essential oil diffusers,
• smart health bracelets (to monitor sleep or activity),
• or even the latest kitchen robots, very popular among home cooking enthusiasts.

Retailers like Muji, Loft, and Tokyu Hands are offering dedicated sections for the occasion, with selections combining technology, utility, and careful aesthetics—always in the Japanese spirit of understated elegance.

But the trend doesn't stop at high-tech.

The return to handmade and intention

Faced with the overabundance of objects and the hectic pace of daily life, a wind of simplicity is blowing through Mother's Day gifts. In recent years, many Japanese, especially younger people, have rediscovered the importance of personal gestures and meaningful gifts. Giving has become a more intimate, more thoughtful act.

Here are some examples of what we find in the hands of Japanese mothers today:

• 🎁 Handicrafts : local pottery, accessories made from indigo-dyed fabric (aizome), or small works by regional artisans such as Temari. ( see our article on Temari art )
• 🍵 Delicate tea boxes : Made with rare green teas, or carefully prepared floral blends, often accompanied by ceramic cups or chasen for the tea ceremony.
• 🧼 Handmade soaps or bath products made with yuzu, sakura, matcha — all scents that evoke harmony with nature.
• 📜 Refined stationery : illustrated notebooks, handwritten cards, envelopes decorated in the old-fashioned style.
• 🧘 Wellness boxes: sometimes including relaxing products, meditation books or coupons for massages or Zen experiences.

These gifts don't necessarily cost a lot, but they show real thoughtfulness: time has been taken to think about what would please the person, rather than simply ticking a box.

The influence of slow gifting and Japanese minimalism

This trend toward "thoughtful" gifting is part of a broader movement: the slow gift, which has been very present in Japan since the 2010s and has been reinforced by recent health and economic crises. In a world overloaded with objects, the act of giving is becoming more subtle, almost philosophical.

The Japanese, very sensitive to the aesthetics of simplicity (the famous wabi-sabi), now favor:

Fewer objects, but better chosen ones

• Experiences rather than possessions: a meal at a restaurant, a mother-daughter craft workshop, a kit to discover an activity, a trip to the countryside...
• Items that last: a pretty pair of linen socks, a terracotta mug, a handmade wooden brush

This way of giving is based on fundamental values ​​of everyday Japanese life: respect, tact, and sincere attention.

For many, taking the time to share a moment, sending a handwritten letter or bringing a lovingly prepared breakfast, is even more precious than buying an expensive gift.

What if this year we took inspiration from Japan?

Ultimately, what Mother's Day in Japan shows us is that a gift doesn't need to be grand to touch the heart. A sincere gesture, a carefully chosen object, a shared moment... it's often all it takes to say "thank you" to the one who has given us so much.

Here in Quebec, too, we're increasingly feeling the need to slow down, to live better, to give less... but better. What if this year, instead of chasing the perfect gift, we simply tried to please in a different way?

🌸 A box of tea with comforting scents,
🖋️ A handwritten word,
🪴 A plant to grow together,
🤍 Or a moment of calm away from the hustle and bustle…

And if this was the most beautiful gift?

If this idea appeals to you, we have prepared a guide to original gifts for Mother's Day, with suggestions full of sweetness, intention and meaning:
👉 Discover our guide here

And you, what did you give or receive for Mother's Day?