May 5th is Children's Day. It is a day to celebrate a child's growth and happiness. It was originally a boy's festival, but was changed to include both genders. There are often special dishes served at seasonal events. Kashiwamochi is traditionally served on Children's Day. It is a rice cake wrapped in oak leaves. Inside there is a sweet bean paste. Since Oak trees don't shed old leaves until new leaves grow, they are seen as a symbol of the prosperity of one's descendants. Chimaki (sweet rice cakes wrapped in bamboo leaf) are sometimes served instead of Kashiwamochi, as oak trees were not native in the west of Japan.