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Japanese HolidaysLet's take a look at some essential info on Japanese holidays. *Japanese New Year (ganjitsu 元日 or shogatsu 正月) The Japanese New Year is considered the most important of the Japanese holidays. Families traditionally gather during this holiday, much like Americans or Europeans do at Christmas time, and visit temples or shrines on this day or New Year's Eve much in the same way that many Christians attend church services. January 1 is the actual national holiday, but the Japanese New Year holiday typically continues into early January. Many businesses and shops close down during this time.
*Coming of Age Day (Seijin no hi 成人の日) This day is for celebrating men and woman who have turned 20 and officially become adults. Setsubun (Setsubun 節分) This Japanese holiday marks the arrival of spring. *National Foundation Day (Kenkoku kinenbi 建国記念日) This day is celebrates the establishment of Japan as a nation. Valentine's Day In contrast to Valentine's Day in the West, on this day in Japan, women are the ones that typically give chocolate to their significant others, as well as male co-workers. This practice of giving chocolate to male co-workers is referred to as "giri-choko" (obligatory chocolate). Girl's festival or Doll's festival (Hinamatsuri 雛祭り) During this unique Japanese holiday, girls display elaborately dressed dolls fashioned after courtiers of Japan's Heian period. White Day White Day is the opportunity for men to reciprocate the chocolate given to them on Valentine's Day with their own gifts of sweets. *Vernal Equinox (Shunbun no hi 春分の日) Japanese frequently visit the graves of their ancestors on this day. Golden Week The following four holidays comprise Golden Week, which is Japan's most heavily traveled stretch of days. Travel costs tend to escalate and travel within Japan can become congested during this time, so be aware of these dates when making travel plans. *Showa Day (Showa no hi 昭和の日) This national Japanese holiday honors the birthday of Emperor Hirohito, who reigned during Japan's Showa Period. Showa Day is also the first in a stretch of holidays known as "Golden Week." *Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo Kinenbi 憲法記念日) This day, also part of Golden Week, commemorates the date upon which Japan's post-WWII constitution was put into effect. Greenery Day (Midori no hi みどりの日) Greenery day is a holiday in Japan set aside for the appreciation of nature. It was formerly celebrated on April 29th due to the Showa Emperor's fondness for nature, but was later changed to its present date. This holiday is part of Golden Week.
*Children's Day (Kodomo no hi 子供の日) This holiday was formerly and sometimes still called Boy's Festival. Families with boys will often fly koi-shaped streamers in celebration of this day. Children's day is also the last of the Golden Week holidays. Star Festival (Tanabata たなばた) Depending upon the locality, this holiday is celebrated on either July 7 or August 7. On this holiday, many Japanese write their wishes on strips of paper (called tanzaku) and tie them to bamboo. *Marine Day (Umi no hi 海の日) This day is for celebrating and appreciating the blessings of the ocean. Obon (O-bon お盆) This holiday is Buddhist in origin, and is a time for praying for the departed souls of one's ancestors. It is believed that during Obon, these departed souls return to be reunited with their family members. Although not a national holiday, Obon is regarded as one of the most important of the Japanese holidays, and many Japanese return to their hometowns during this time. Depending on the locality, this holiday is celebrated either around July 15 or August 15. *Respect for the Aged Day(Keiro no hi 敬老の日) This national Japanese holiday is for honoring Japan's elderly population. *Autumnal Equinox (Shubun no hi 秋分の日) As its name suggests, this day is set aside for celebrating the autumnal equinox.
*Health and Sports Day (Taiiku no hi 体育の日) Sports, health, and physical fitness are celebrated on this day. *Culture Day (Bunka no hi 文化の日) This Japanese holiday celebrates culture and the arts. Art exhibits and cultural festivals are often held on this holiday. Seven-Five-Three (Shichi-go-san 七五三) This day celebrates girls aged three and seven and boys aged three and five. *Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro kansha no hi 勤労感謝の日) This holiday is for expressing appreciation for labor. Emperor's Birthday (Tenno no tanjobi 天皇の誕生日） The birthday of the currently reigning emperor is always a national holiday. Emperor Akihito was born on this date. Whenever the emperor changes, so too does the date of this holiday. Christmas Though not a national holiday in Japan, many Japanese celebrate this holiday, although it is celebrated more so by couples on Christmas eve than families on Christmas day. Businesses generally do not close on Christmas in Japan. A unique feature of Christmas in Japan is the enjoyment of a Christmas cake, which is typically decorated with white frosting and strawberries to represent the colors of Christmas.
December 31
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