Father’s Day in Japan: Special Experience and Gift Ideas

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 (chichinohi; “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 gifts 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 great presents to make this Father’s Day in Japan a special one!

Tokyo Dome Hotel’s Father’s Day Course Meals

© Photo by Tokyo Dome Hotel

Whether you are looking for a day of fun attractions or a leisurely supper, Tokyo Dome Hotel has you covered for Father’s Day. If Dad likes it fancy, try the Italian Panorama Lunch Course at the 43rd-floor Sky Lounge and Dining Artist’s Cafe. Meanwhile, for all of June, the sixth-floor bar 2000 has a Japanese whisky-tasting plan, complete with light snacks and sweets, for the fathers in your life.

• When: Sat, Jun. 1-Wed, Jul. 31 (Panorama Lunch Course), Sat, Jun. 1-Sun, Jun. 30 (whisky tasting), 2024
• Where: 1-3 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
• How much: Varies by plan. Book online here.

Kamimura Bokujyou’s Father’s Day All-You-Can-Drink

© Photo by Kamimura Bokujyou

Kamimura, a delicious chain of yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurants, is also putting fathers first this Father’s Day. At all of the branches of the all-you-can-eat restaurant across the country, Dad gets a free all-you-can-drink add-on when ordering any of the course menus. Don’t forget to add Kamimura as a Line friend to receive the coupon you need to redeem this offer for your Dad!

• When: Thu, Jun. 13-Thu, Jun. 20, 2024
• Where: Kamimura stores across the country.
• How much: Free if you book an all-you-can-eat course! Book here.

Father’s Day Family Portrait

© Photo by Studio Alice

Capture your love for your father in a professional, high-quality family portrait! Studio Alice offers Father’s Day pictures to commemorate the special day. Even if you have young kids, their staff have tricks up their sleeves for the perfect picture of each member of your family. With a ready-made gift as the result of a fun shared experience, this event has all of your bases covered for you.

• When: Year-round. 
• Where: Studio Alice stores across the country. 
• How much: From ¥3,000〜 Book here.

Enjoy the Sports Challenges at Round One

© Photo by Round One

Looking for a fun outing for a father with a young family? At Round One, the spo-cha (sports challenge) area is equipped with sports courts, kids spaces, skateboarding, archery and more to occupy your family for the day! What’s more, Dad and one other adult family member are charged only ¥1,000 each for a 3-hour pack if they are accompanied by a child under elementary school age.

• When: Year-round.
• Where: Round One’s across the country.
• How much: ¥1,000 per adult and young child. Book here.

Father’s Day in Japan Gift Ideas for 2024

Able Carry Bag

© Photo by Able Carry

Founded in Hong Kong, Able Carry has produced a variety of backpacks that your father can take on his daily commutes to trips to the great outdoors. Manufactured with efficient organization and durability in mind, these bags also come in several colors to suit any style. Containing enough space to carry a laptop, camera, stationary and more, the popular Daily Plus is a great choice for everyday use. With a Lifetime Guarantee with every purchase, this is a Father’s Day gift that is poised to last for years to come.

• Online store: Able Carry
• How much: Backpacks range from ¥23,100 to ¥46,200

Drinkware and Craft Beer 

© Photo by Rakuten

Father’s Day is a great time to celebrate the men in your life with some drinks and kampai (cheers!). These drinkware sets available on Rakuten give you many choices from stainless, glass and metal tumblers, and you can also select to engrave your loved one’s name to make it extra special. And if they happen to like beer, why not gift it alongside one of these beer sets filled with 18 cans of Japan’s most popular beer along with some craft brews?  

• Online store: Drinkware Sets, Beer Sets
• How much: Drinkware sets range from ¥2,500 to ¥8,000 and the beer set is ¥5,380

ATEX Neck and Shoulder Massager

© Photo by ATEX

After a long day, nothing beats a neck and shoulder massage. ATEX has a lightweight and cordless massager to help father figures relax their tired muscles. This portable device wraps around the back of your neck and delivers several types of pulsing, soothing vibrations. From modes that replicate a real massage to ones at differing speeds, this ATEX massager will work out those knots in no time. Although marketed for the neck and shoulder, this product can also be used on calves and lower and mid-backs.

• Online store: Atex Direct
• How much: ¥12,800

The Meat Guy Gift Box

© Photo by The Meat Guy

Founded in 1997, The Meat Guy offers a wide variety of hormone- and additive-free meats, from favorites like beef and chicken to rarities like kangaroo and camel. With over 400 products to choose from, including meats and prepared meals, this company will leave your dad with a full stomach and wondering what else is in store. Non-meat eaters are more than welcome, too! Despite the name, The Meat Guy also offers soy and plant-based meat options.

• Online store: The Meat Guy
• How much: Gift boxes start as low as ¥3,680

Tokyo Treat Snack Box

© Photo by Tokyo Treat

Is your father living outside of Japan? Would you love to give him a taste of Japan that uniquely captures the country’s flavor landscape? Tokyo Treats is here to help you! Since 2015, Tokyo Treats has been preparing snack packages filled with the sweet and savory bites that we who live in Japan may take for granted. From Japan-only varieties of Kit Kat chocolates to packaged ramen, this company will take your dad on a culinary tour of Japan.

• Online store: Tokyo Treats
• How much: Monthly plans start as low as ¥5,000/month

So, do you know what your father, father-in-law or father figure wants for this year’s Father’s Day in Japan? Good luck shopping for that perfect gift!

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