JANUARY
1st
New Year's Day
New Year's Day, the"festival of the festivals" in Japan is celebrated with solemnity and yet in a joyful mood. The streets are gay with New Year decorations of pine and plum branches, bamboo stalks and ropes with paper festoons. People pay homage to shrines and visit friends and relatives to exchange greetings.
JANUARY
2nd Monday
Coming of Age Day
In Japan, children are considered adults on their 20th birthday. From that day on they are invested with all the rights of citizenship. Municipal governments host special coming-of-age ceremonies for 20-year-olds and the participants dress up in their finest clothes for this ceremony. It is the custom for 20-year-old women to wear a long-sleeved kimono on this ceremony day.
FEBRUARY
11th
National Foundation Day
On this day, the origin of Japan is reflected upon and wishes for continued development are made. According to an ancient Japanese legend, this is the day when Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan, established his capital in the Yamato district. This day is celebrated in commemoration of the foundation of the country.
MARCH
20th
Vernal Equinox Day
The week centering around this day is known as Higan, when all Buddhist temples throughout the country hold special services and people pray for souls of the departed offering flowers and incense at the tombs and altars.
APRIL
29th
Showa Day
This day was the birthday of the late Emperor Showa.
MAY
3rd
Constitution Memorial Day
Commemorated on this day is the establishment of the modern Japanese Constitution, which came into effect in 1947. This new Constitution prohibits armament and war.
MAY
4th
Greenery Day
MAY
5th
Children's Day
Ceremonies and parties are observed throughout the country in which the children are wished happiness and prosperity. People hoist carp-shaped streamers on tall dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves called Chimaki and rice cakes stuffed with sweet bean paste wrapped in oak leaves called Kashiwa-mochi. Some homes display a Kabuto (ancient warrior helmet) in the hope that the boys will have a strong and healthy warrior spirit.
JULY
3rd Mon.
Maritime Day
The holiday was founded to celebrate the ocean's bounty and to pray for the prosperity of Japan as a seafaring nation.
SEPTEMBER
3rd Mon.
Respect-for-the-Aged Day
People wish the elderly of the nation a long life and thank them for their contribution to society for so many years.
SEPTEMBER
23rd
Autumnal Equinox Day
The week centering around this day is known as Higan, when all Buddhist temples throughout the country hold special services and people pray for souls of the departed offering flowers and incense at the tombs and altars.
OCTOBER
2nd Monday
Health Sports Day
This is celebrated to promote the mental and physical health of the people through the enjoyment of sports. This day was established in commemoration of the Tokyo Olympic Games, which began on October 10th, 1964.
NOVEMBER
3rd
Culture Day
This day was established to stress the importance of science as well as thank those who have contributed to the advancement of Japanese culture. On this day the government bestows medals to people who have made significant contributions to cultural progress in Japan.
NOVEMBER
23rd
Labor Thanksgiving Day
This day was established to provide a day for recognition of the importance of labor and to stress the importance of work in everyone's mind.
DECEMBER
23rd
The Emperor's Birthday
The Emperor of Japan does not rule but is a symbol of the nation. On this day prayers are offered of his longevity, and the Imperial Family, appearing on the balcony of the Imperial Palace, exchanges greetings with the crowd of visitors below.
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