In Japan, when a baby reaches around 100 days old, families gather for a special celebration called okuizome (お食い初め). It is one of our favorite Japanese baby traditions — full of meaning, beautiful food, and a moment that feels genuinely ceremonial.
What Is Okuizome?
Okuizome literally means “first eating.” It is a ritual meal held to pray that the baby will never go hungry throughout their life.
Although the baby does not actually eat the food, an adult — usually the oldest person present — pretends to feed the baby each dish in a specific order.
The celebration typically takes place around 100 days after birth, which is why it is also sometimes called the 100-day celebration.
Where We Celebrated
We held our baby’s okuizome at Kisoji (木曽路), a traditional Japanese restaurant known for its shabu-shabu and kaiseki-style cuisine. We reserved a private room, which made the whole experience feel calm and special — especially with a baby in tow.
We celebrated with one set of grandparents, which felt like exactly the right size for such an intimate occasion.
What Was on the Table
The okuizome meal at Kisoji was beautifully presented and included all the traditional dishes:
A whole sea bream (tai/鯛) is the centerpiece of any okuizome feast. In Japan, tai is considered deeply auspicious — the word is even embedded in the word “medetai,” meaning celebratory or joyful.
Red rice (sekihan/赤飯) made with glutinous rice and red beans, traditionally served at celebrations in Japan.
Simmered vegetables (nimono/煮物), carefully prepared with seasonal ingredients.
Sashimi (お造り), fresh and elegant.
Clam soup (hamaguri wan/蛤椀), made with clams that symbolize a harmonious marriage and a happy life.
Pickled plum (umeboshi/梅干し), included for its association with longevity.
Vinegared dish (sunomono/酢の物), a light, refreshing accompaniment.
The restaurant staff guided us through the ceremony, which was incredibly helpful as first-time parents who were not entirely sure of the order!
What Our Baby Wore
Our baby wore a hakama romper (袴ロンパース) — a clever modern take on traditional Japanese formal wear designed specifically for babies. It has the look of a formal hakama but in comfortable romper form. It made for the most adorable photos.
Why We Loved Doing It at a Restaurant
Preparing a full okuizome spread at home is beautiful but takes considerable effort. Having it at a restaurant meant we could be fully present for the moment rather than stressed about cooking. The private room gave us space to take photos, tend to the baby, and enjoy the meal together without feeling rushed.
If you are in Japan and considering okuizome, many traditional Japanese restaurants offer set menus specifically for this celebration. It is worth asking when you make a reservation.
A Moment We Will Always Remember
Watching the grandparents take turns pretending to feed our baby each dish, one by one, was one of those quietly moving moments of early parenthood. Okuizome is a simple ritual, but it carries something genuine — a family gathered together, wishing a child a life of abundance.
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