When to display koinobori? Until what age?
A clear explanation of the correct period and guidelines

Koinobori are an essential part of Children's Day on May 5th.
However, many people might wonder, "When is the right time to put them up?", "When should I take them down?", or "Until what age should they be displayed?"

This article provides a clear explanation of the timing for displaying koinobori, when to put them away, and age guidelines.

When to display koinobori? A guide to the timing.

While there are no strict rules about when to display koinobori, the following timings are generally recommended:

▶ Guide for starting display

・Late March (around the spring equinox) to early April

Many families begin displaying them after the spring equinox.

▶ Key points

・Choose a clear day to display them
・Ideally, choose a day when the wind is not too strong
・No need to insist on a specific date!

Especially in spring, the weather can be unpredictable, so it's important to choose a day when you can display them comfortably, rather than strictly adhering to a date.

When to put away koinobori?

There are no rules about "when to put them away" either.
However, as a seasonal event, the following timing is common.

▶ Guide for putting away

・After May 5th (Children's Day) until the start of the rainy season

▶ Why before the rainy season?

・Rain and humidity can easily cause mold.
・To prevent deterioration.

Ideally, put them away before the rainy season at the latest.

How to properly store koinobori

Proper storage is crucial for long-term use.

▶ Tips for storing

・Do it on a clear, dry day.
・Thoroughly brush off any dust.
・If dirty, wash and dry them.
・Store them only after they are completely dry.

▶ Caution

Storing them while damp can cause mold and odors.

Tokunaga Koinobori offers a paid cleaning service.

To ensure your koinobori last a long time, we also repair tears and frayed edges with expert sewing techniques.
Please feel free to contact us.

Until what age should koinobori be displayed?

The most frequently asked question is, "Until what age should they be displayed?"
Again, there is no strict rule.

However, there are several guidelines.

▶ General guidelines

・Until age 7
→ Derived from the old custom "until seven, a child is a child of the gods."

・Around age 10 (until elementary school)
→ The most common case today.

・Until around junior high school
→ Naturally outgrown as children grow up.

▶ Broader perspectives

・Until adulthood (18 years old)
・Until they become independent
・At the time of marriage or living alone
・Some regions display them for life

These are just guidelines, so it's perfectly fine to decide freely based on your family's views.

When to stop displaying koinobori

Koinobori are displayed to wish for a child's growth.

Therefore,

・When the child loses interest
・When you feel they have grown
・When displaying them becomes too much of a burden

These are natural times to stop.

The time to stop is when you feel they have fulfilled their purpose.

What to do with koinobori that are no longer needed?

When you no longer display koinobori, many people wonder "how to dispose of them." It's natural to feel reluctant to part with decorations that have watched over your child's growth for so long. To help resolve such concerns, here are a few methods.

There are no special rules for disposing of koinobori.

▶ Disposal examples

・Dispose of according to local government rules
・Give them to an acquaintance
・Use a flea market
・Donate them
・Have them consecrated at a shrine or temple

While it is generally advised not to pass on Hina dolls because they are believed to act as "substitutes that bear misfortune," this does not apply to koinobori.
If kept in storage without being used, they not only take up space but can also deteriorate due to humidity.
It is important to let them go with gratitude rather than keeping them unnecessarily.

While cherishing the feeling of "thank you for everything," choose the method that suits you best.

Koinobori is not about finding the "right answer,"
but about cherishing your family's feelings.

Please enjoy it in a way that suits your family, without any pressure.