Support Aged UK East London
Keirō no Hi
Respect for The Aged Day – The Japanese way.
In Japan, there is a very special day dedicated to honouring older people. It always falls on the third Monday in September and is known as Keiro No Hi – or Respect for the Aged Day.
It’s an official holiday, but it’s not about sitting on the sofa or watching TV. It’s about community. About saying thank you to those who came before us. Across Japan, volunteers hand out bento boxes to elderly neighbours. Children perform songs and dances. And in Tokyo, the mayor personally visits everyone who has turned 100 – not to check up, but simply to say thank you.
It’s a tradition full of both warmth and dignity. And it’s one we’ve chosen to be inspired by. Because when you take inspiration from Japan, as we do, you don’t just borrow flavours – you borrow traditions too. Especially the ones rooted in respect.
Sunday 14th September
On Sunday 14th September, we welcome Age UK East London to Shoreditch for lunch on us, gathering twenty older people to come together to share stories and enjoy great food. In Denmark, there is a cherished tradition of gathering around long shared tables, called "langbord". It is where friends, family and even strangers sit shoulder to shoulder, enjoying a meal that is as much about connection as it is about taste. Conversations flow, laughter fills the air and time seems to slow down. Here, we'll be celebrating Keiro No Hi with a langbord dedicated to honouring the older generation and you can help support the charity by donating below.