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Japanese Traditional Events and National Holidays
January
[ New Year's Day : Syo-gatsu (January 1st) ]
A day celebrated to welcome the New Year. New Year's Day is one of the most important annual events in Japan. People go to shrines and temples to pray for good fortune for the new year.
[ Coming-of-Age Day : Seijin-no-hi (2nd Monday of January) ]
This is a day to celebrate the coming of age of people who have turned 20 years old. They recognize that they have become adults with responsibility.
A day celebrated to welcome the New Year. New Year's Day is one of the most important annual events in Japan. People go to shrines and temples to pray for good fortune for the new year.
[ Coming-of-Age Day : Seijin-no-hi (2nd Monday of January) ]
This is a day to celebrate the coming of age of people who have turned 20 years old. They recognize that they have become adults with responsibility.
February
[ Setsubun (February 3rd )]
People scatter beans around their homes while saying "Oni ha soto, Fuku ha uchi." These phrases mean "drive evils away and welcome good luck for the year."
[ National Foundation Day : Kenkoku-kinen-Bi (February 11th) ]
The day that the first Emperor acceded in Japan according to the oldest Japanese history book "Kojiki."
[ Valentine's Day (February 14th) ]
Japanese Valentine's Day style is different from those of other countries. It is the day in which young women give a piece of chocolate to their boy friends to appeal their love, or to male colleagues and bosses in gratitude.
People scatter beans around their homes while saying "Oni ha soto, Fuku ha uchi." These phrases mean "drive evils away and welcome good luck for the year."
[ National Foundation Day : Kenkoku-kinen-Bi (February 11th) ]
The day that the first Emperor acceded in Japan according to the oldest Japanese history book "Kojiki."
[ Valentine's Day (February 14th) ]
Japanese Valentine's Day style is different from those of other countries. It is the day in which young women give a piece of chocolate to their boy friends to appeal their love, or to male colleagues and bosses in gratitude.
March
[ Hina-matsuri (March 3rd) ]
Hina-matsuri is the Doll Festival for girls on March 3rd. Families who have a daughter display a set of dolls and pray for their daughter's growth.The Hina dolls wear beautiful ancient court costumes.
[ White Day (March 14th) ]
White Day is considered to be a pair of Valentine's Day. Those who received Valentine's chocolate should give a favor in return.
[ The Vernal Equinox : Syunbun-no-hi (Around March 21st) ]
The day to praise nature and love creatures.
Hina-matsuri is the Doll Festival for girls on March 3rd. Families who have a daughter display a set of dolls and pray for their daughter's growth.The Hina dolls wear beautiful ancient court costumes.
[ White Day (March 14th) ]
White Day is considered to be a pair of Valentine's Day. Those who received Valentine's chocolate should give a favor in return.
[ The Vernal Equinox : Syunbun-no-hi (Around March 21st) ]
The day to praise nature and love creatures.
April
[ Hana-mi party ]
There is an entrance ceremony at schools and offices. This season is great for getting together around the cherry blossoms in the parks and holding a Hana-mi party ( flower viewing ) with beer and sake.
[ Greenery Day : Midori-no-hi (April 29th) ]
The birthday of the Syowa Emperor who acceded the 64th emperor. People remember that, during the Emperor's period, Japan was defeated in War, revived, and then prospered.
There is an entrance ceremony at schools and offices. This season is great for getting together around the cherry blossoms in the parks and holding a Hana-mi party ( flower viewing ) with beer and sake.
[ Greenery Day : Midori-no-hi (April 29th) ]
The birthday of the Syowa Emperor who acceded the 64th emperor. People remember that, during the Emperor's period, Japan was defeated in War, revived, and then prospered.
May
[ Golden Week (From May 3rd) ]
Early in May, there is a series of national holidays, such as Constitution Memorial Day and Children's Day. People call it Golden week and have a long vacation.
[ Constitution Memorial Day : Kenpo-kinen-bi (May 3rd) ]
The day today's constitution started to be enforced.
[ National Holiday : Kokumin-no-hi (May 4th) ]
There isn't a particular historical reason for this holiday, however, according to Japanese law, any day that is sandwiched between two national holidays becomes a holiday.
[ Children's Day (May 5th) ]
Children's Day is one of the Golden week holidays. Families with boys display a set of warrior dolls and flying carp banners. They symbolize their kids' strength.
Early in May, there is a series of national holidays, such as Constitution Memorial Day and Children's Day. People call it Golden week and have a long vacation.
[ Constitution Memorial Day : Kenpo-kinen-bi (May 3rd) ]
The day today's constitution started to be enforced.
[ National Holiday : Kokumin-no-hi (May 4th) ]
There isn't a particular historical reason for this holiday, however, according to Japanese law, any day that is sandwiched between two national holidays becomes a holiday.
[ Children's Day (May 5th) ]
Children's Day is one of the Golden week holidays. Families with boys display a set of warrior dolls and flying carp banners. They symbolize their kids' strength.
June
[ Tsuyu ]
People consider it is the worst season of the year because of the rain. During the Tsuyu season, everyday is rainy and the humidity becomes high.
People consider it is the worst season of the year because of the rain. During the Tsuyu season, everyday is rainy and the humidity becomes high.
July
[ Tanabata (July 7th)]
In Japan, people believe a story that the Weaver Star and the Cowherd Star, separated lovers, meet across the Milky Way once a year. That day is Jury 7th. People decorate a bamboo branch with colorful papers.
[ Marine Day : Umi-no-hi (The 3rd Monday of July) ]
The day to show gratitude to the sea and to wish for the prosperity of Japan which is surrounded by the sea.
In Japan, people believe a story that the Weaver Star and the Cowherd Star, separated lovers, meet across the Milky Way once a year. That day is Jury 7th. People decorate a bamboo branch with colorful papers.
[ Marine Day : Umi-no-hi (The 3rd Monday of July) ]
The day to show gratitude to the sea and to wish for the prosperity of Japan which is surrounded by the sea.
August
[ Firework Festival ]
There are fireworks festival all over Japan. The famous festival in Tokyo is Sumida River Festival.
[ Obon (August 13th to 15th) ]
Obon is a festival to show respect for those who have passed away. Families come together and visit the grave of their ancestors.
There are fireworks festival all over Japan. The famous festival in Tokyo is Sumida River Festival.
[ Obon (August 13th to 15th) ]
Obon is a festival to show respect for those who have passed away. Families come together and visit the grave of their ancestors.
September
During September, big typhoons visit Japan. Afterwards, the season changes from summer to autumn.
[ Jugoya ]
People hold a special moon-viewing event with displaying pampas grass and dumplings on the veranda. This is on the day of the full-moon.
[ Respect for the Aged Day : Keiro-no-hi (The 3rd Monday of September) ]
A day to love and respect the aged.
[ The Autumnal Equinox : Syubun-no-hi (Around September 23rd) ]
The day to respect ancestors. Many people visit their ancestors' gravestone.
[ Jugoya ]
People hold a special moon-viewing event with displaying pampas grass and dumplings on the veranda. This is on the day of the full-moon.
[ Respect for the Aged Day : Keiro-no-hi (The 3rd Monday of September) ]
A day to love and respect the aged.
[ The Autumnal Equinox : Syubun-no-hi (Around September 23rd) ]
The day to respect ancestors. Many people visit their ancestors' gravestone.
October
People consider the weather during automn to be the best out of the whole year in Japan. The weather is good for reading a book, playing sports, and eating out.
[ Cultural Day : Bunka-no-hi (October 3rd) ]
The day to wish for freedom and peace, and the cultural innovation of Japan. This is the Meiji-Emperor's birthday and the day of a new constitution proclamation.
[ Health Sports Day : Taiku-no-hi (The 2nd Monday of October) ]
The day to enjoy sports and keep in shape. In 1964, Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony was held on this day.
[ Labor Thanksgiving Day : Kinro-kansya-no-hi (October 23rd) ]
A day of respect for labors, products, and harvests. The Emperor eats rice which is the first crop of the year on this day.
[ Cultural Day : Bunka-no-hi (October 3rd) ]
The day to wish for freedom and peace, and the cultural innovation of Japan. This is the Meiji-Emperor's birthday and the day of a new constitution proclamation.
[ Health Sports Day : Taiku-no-hi (The 2nd Monday of October) ]
The day to enjoy sports and keep in shape. In 1964, Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony was held on this day.
[ Labor Thanksgiving Day : Kinro-kansya-no-hi (October 23rd) ]
A day of respect for labors, products, and harvests. The Emperor eats rice which is the first crop of the year on this day.
November
[ Shichi-go-san ]
The word means seven-five-three. Parents celebrate the growth of seven, five and three years old children. They dress up and visit shrines to pray for good health and future.
The word means seven-five-three. Parents celebrate the growth of seven, five and three years old children. They dress up and visit shrines to pray for good health and future.
December
[ The Emperor's Birthday : Tenno-tanjyo-bi (December 23rd) ]
This is the Emperor's Birthday.
[ Christmas Eve (December 24th) ]
In Japan, we celebrate Christmas. But people hold a party as a commercial event rather than a religious one. They buy Christmas presents and enjoy the Christmas' eve. However, unlike most other countries, people work on this holiday.
[ Ohmisoka (December 31st) ]
On New Year 's Eve, people clean up their homes and get ready to celebrate and welcome the new year. Temples' bells are ringed one hundred and eight times around midnight.
This is the Emperor's Birthday.
[ Christmas Eve (December 24th) ]
In Japan, we celebrate Christmas. But people hold a party as a commercial event rather than a religious one. They buy Christmas presents and enjoy the Christmas' eve. However, unlike most other countries, people work on this holiday.
[ Ohmisoka (December 31st) ]
On New Year 's Eve, people clean up their homes and get ready to celebrate and welcome the new year. Temples' bells are ringed one hundred and eight times around midnight.
National Holidays
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