A day to celebrate the starting of a year. Tutelary God and/or God of agriculture are celebrated. KADOMATSU (or pine decoration) is displayed at entrances of homes for the gods to dwell in and KAGAMI MOCHI (or Mirror Mochi, named because it is shaped like a mirror used in ancient Japan for Shinto rituals) is displayed as offering to the gods. Many people visit shrines or temples for “Hatsumode” on this day to pray for peace and wellness of the new year.

 

 

A ceremony is held for the youth to become self aware and recognize that they are to leave their protected childhood behind, become independent and join the adult society.

The local government organizes these ceremonies and persons subject to this ceremony are ones who have turned 20. Hence, in Japan, citizens are considered to be an adult at age 20 and ones 19 and younger are considered as minors.

This ceremony became an official holiday in 1948 when military obligations were no longer effective. At that time, this holiday was on January 15^th, however due to the Happy Monday Bill, it was revised to the current day in 2000. 

 

 

This day represents the ascension date of Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jinmu, in 660 B.C. and is celebrated to commemorate the birth and to cultivate love for the nation.

This holiday was established in 1966.

 

 

This day, where night and day is approximately equally long, was established as a national holiday in 1948 to praise nature, show love to all living things and make effort for the upcoming future. It is determined which day this will be according to the booklet made by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

It also falls in the “O-HIGAN” time and people will visit graves to clean them and replace flowers and incense and such.

 

 

The birthday of Emperor Hirohito, who created and reigned during the Showa era.

This day is meant to set aside the turbulent days restored during the Showa era and look towards the future of Japan.

In 1948, this day was called the “Emperor’s Birthday”, however, when his reign ended in 1989, the “Emperor’s Birthday” changed to December 23^rd, birthday of our current emperor. Since Emperor Hirohito had great knowledge and love for nature, it was decided to call this day MIDORI NIO HI, or greenery day, instead. In 2007, it was changed to Showa day due to holiday revision law.

The following 3 day holiday from May 3^rd to May 5^th is known as “Golden Week”.

Many people take leave from work on the few days between this 3 day holiday and the weekend to spend a 7 – 10 day vacation.

 

 

 

A day to commemorate the trial of Japanese constitution and hope for growth of the country.   Although the constitution was officially announced on November 3^rd, 1946, because it was tried 6 months later on May 3^rd, this date was set as national holiday.

 

 

A day to show gratitude, honor and become familiarized with nature and nurture a rich spirit. When April 29^th was changed to Showa day due to holiday revision law, May 4^th, was selected as Greenery day.

 

 

A day to value the qualities of children, wish for their future happiness and to show appreciation for mothers. In ancient times, this day was know as “Tango no Sekku”, a festival for boys to wish for their health and strength. However, in 1948, it was revised to fit both boys and girls.

On this day, families will fly carp streamers outside their homes in wish for their children to grow up strong and succeed as the carp had. According to the Chinese historiography, many fish tried to climb the waterfall but only the carp succeeded and became a dragon. For this, the carp is thought of as a symbol of successful career.

 

 

A day to show appreciation to the blessings of the ocean and spread interest and understanding of the ocean to citizens as a island country.

Since 1941, July 20^th was considered “Marine Anniversary” to commemorate Meiji Emperor’s arrival in 1876 from Aomori to Yokohama.

In 1996, persons involved in marine related work campaigned that “Marine Anniversary” should become a national holiday and it was accepted. In 2004, the date was revised from July 20^th to the 3^rd Monday of July due to the Happy Monday Bill.

It’s a fairly new holiday and marine related events are held.

 

 

A day to show respect to senior citizens for having served so many years to society and to celebrate longevity. In 593, Imperial Prince Shotoku (or Shotokutaishi) had established “HIDEN-IN”, a facility that took in elderly without any family. The meaning of the word “HIDEN-IN” meant “to have compassion and saving the poor would result in happiness”. It is said that the establishment date of Hiden-In, September 15^th, was the original date for this holiday until it was revised to the present day in 2004 due to the Happy Monday Bill.

 

Like the Vernal Equinox Day, night and day become equally long. This national holiday was set in 1948 to show respect to ancestors and commemorate the deceased. Twice a year, there is a time called “O-HIGAN”, one in spring during the Vernal Equinox Day and one here.  “O-HIGAN” means “the other side of the river that the deceased crosses over to” and during this time, people visit graves and make offerings at family altars to comfort the spirits of their ancestors. “OHAGI”, a traditional Japanese cake made from sticky rice and “azuki” beans, are symbolic during this season. The color red of the “azuki” beans were believed to protect one from misfortune and the belief of warding off evil spirits lead to “OHAGI” being considered appropriate as offerings to the ancestors since the Edo period. Many people eat “OHAGI” during this time as well.

 

 

A day to enjoy sports to cultivate a healthy mind and body. On this day, the word “enjoy” would stand for actually participating in the sport instead of just watching, listening or reading about them. Many health/sport related events are held on this day. 

In 1966, this holiday was set for October 10^th, the day of the Tokyo Olympics’ opening ceremony. Due to the Happy Monday Bill, 2^nd Monday of October became the official holiday in 2000.

 

 

A day to love freedom, peace and to promote culture. 

In 1946, this day was set as an anniversary day based on the new constitution which  declared pacifism, sovereignty of the people, and basic human rights.

In 1948, it became a national holiday. At the Imperial Palace, the Emperor Order of Culture is awarded to recognized persons for services they have done for the government and / or society.

 

 

A day to value daily labor, celebrate production and show appreciation for one another. 

Originally, this day was know as “Niinamesai”, where the emperor would celebrate the years’ harvest by eating that years’ rice for the first time and dedicating it to the Shinto gods. This is still conducted today within the Imperial Palace. 

 

 

Birthday of Emperor Akihito, Japan’s current emperor.

In the past, the emperor was considered godly and events that deified the emperor were held on this day.  However, after the war ended, the emperor represented the “Symbol of the Japanese people”. On this birthday holiday, people genuinely celebrate the emperor’s birthday and is intended to bring closer the relationship between the emperor and the people. The Imperial Palace becomes open to the public only on this day and on January 2^nd. People gather to the Imperial Palace in hopes to have a glimpse and show congratulations to the Emperor.