Important Festivals and Introductions in Japan

January 1 New Year's Day, the first day of the new year and a day to pray for luck and happiness in the new year and to draw up plans for the year, is also the day to make the first visit to a shrine or nearby temple.

January 15 Adult Day. This is a holiday to celebrate the coming of age and self-reliance of young men and women who have reached the age of 20, and there are ceremonies in which the administrations of cities, towns, and villages hold coming-of-age rites of passage.

February 11 Founders' Day. According to the Nihon Shoki, one of the earliest history books in Japan, this day was added in 1966 for the purpose of remembering that the founding of the nation was not an easy task and to cultivate patriotic sentiments. In Japan, there are still people who oppose the so-called "National Foundation Day".

March 21 The day of the spring equinox. This is the central day of the "other side of spring". It is a day for sweeping graves and paying homage to ancestors.

May 3 Constitution Day. It commemorates May 3, 1947, the day the current Constitution was established.

May 5 Boys' Day. Originally celebrated as a boy's end of the year, it is a day to celebrate the growth of children and pray for happiness.

September 15 Older People's Day. A holiday made up in 1966 with the purpose of honoring and thanking the elderly.

September 23 Autumn Equinox Day. The day for the center of the other side of autumn. As with the spring equinox, graves are swept and ancestral spirits are honored.

October 10 Sports Day. A day commemorating the opening ceremony of the 1964 Olympic Games held in Tokyo. It is a day to approach sports and recognize the importance of health. 1966 was added.

November 3 Culture Day. A holiday established to commemorate the promulgation of the current Constitution of Japan on November 3, 1946, and to foster a sense of respect for culture.

November 23 Labor Appreciation Day. This is the time of the harvest season. This holiday was established to express gratitude for the harvest and to rekindle a broader appreciation for the joy of labor.

National Day December 23rd. Cherry Blossom Festival March-April. September 29, 1972, the date of establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan.

The articles of the Law on the Day of Celebration have been organized. The current date of celebration has been determined by the following. 1 2000～

National Foundation Day February 11 S41(1966)/ 6/25 ← 1967～

Vernal Equinox Day Vernal Equinox Day S23(1948)/ 7/20 ← 1949～

Birthday of the Emperor

"Middori-no-Hi" (Day of the Midori) Renamed April 29 S23(1948)/7/20 ← 1949～

April 29 H1(1989)/2/17 ← 1989～

Constitutional Memorial Day May 3 S23(1948)/7/20 ← 1949～

National Day of Recess May 4 S60(1985)/12/27 ← 1986

Kodomo's Day May 5 S23(1948)/7/20 ← 1949～

Sea Day July 20 H7(1995)/3/ 8 H8(1996)/1/1 1996～

July 3rd曜日 H13(2001)/6/22 H15(2003)/1/1 2003～

The day of the elderly. p> Autumnal Equinox Day Autumnal Equinox Day S23(1948)/ 7/20 ← 1948～

Sports Day October 10 S41(1966)/ 6/25 ← 1966～

October 2 Observatory H10(1998)/10/21 H12(2000)/1/1 2000～

Culture Day November 3 S23(1948)/ 7/20 ← 1948～

Day of Labor Appreciation November 23 S23(1948)/ 7/20 ← 1948～

Birthday of the Emperor December 23 H1 (1989)/ 2/17 ← 1989～