Whether your dad loves food and drink or has a competitive edge, we’ve got plenty of gifts and Tokyo experiences to make this Father’s Day a memorable one. Celebrated on the third Sunday of June, 父の日 ( ; “Father’s Day”) in Japan is an occasion to celebrate dads and father figures. This year, Father’s Day falls on June 16, 2024.
The tradition has origins in the United States in the early 20th century, with Sonora Smart Dodd wanting to celebrate her father, who had raised her and her siblings following the death of her mother. With the support of her community, Sonora held the first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910. Over the decades, the celebration garnered support from a number of US presidents and was officially designated as an American national holiday in 1972.
Although Father’s Day was celebrated as early as the 1950s in Japan, it only gained significant popularity in the 1980s. The Men’s Japan Fashion Association led the expansion of Father’s Day with support from department stores looking to increase their profits further. Since then, the holiday has been celebrated similarly to other countries with such as alcohol, food and fashion items as the most popular.
If you have a father figure you would like to honor, we’ve come up with a list of events in the Tokyo area and to make this Father’s Day in Japan a special one! Whether you are looking for a day of fun attractions or a leisurely supper, Tokyo Dome Hotel has you covered for Father’s Day..