What kind of holidays and events are there in Japan? Are there any differences with other countries? This time, we will introduce some of Japan's most famous holidays and events.
1.New Year'sDay
"Oshōgatsu" is an event held on January 1st, the beginning of the new year, to welcome a god called "Toshigamisama" into one's home. Because it is an important event to welcome a god, the entrance to the house is decorated with "kadomatsu" (new year's pine decorations), "shimekazari" (decorative ornaments), and "kagamimochi" (rice cakes made from rice cakes). In Japan, it is common to spend New Year's with family, and everyone eats a special dish called "osechi." "Osechi" consists of traditional foods such as "datemaki" (rolled sushi rolls) and "kuromame" (black beans) packed in a tiered box.
2.Coming of Age Day (Seijin'nohi)
"Coming of Age Day" is a national holiday held on the second Monday of January to celebrate becoming an adult. In most parts of Japan, a celebratory ceremony called "Coming of Age Ceremony" is held on this day. People who turn 20 between April 2nd of the previous year and April 1st of the current year are eligible to attend the Coming of Age Ceremony. Women attend the ceremony wearing a gorgeous kimono called "furisode."
3.Setsubun
Setsubun is a day that marks the transition from the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and occurs four times a year. Currently, it refers specifically to the transition from winter to spring in early February.
In the past, it was believed that evil spirits would enter homes at the change of seasons. Therefore, on Setsubun in the spring, people would drive away demons, which are symbols of evil, with food and smells. For example, they would scatter beans outside from the front door, or decorate the entrance with a talisman made of a raw sardine head and a sharp holly leaf. In addition to throwing beans, on Setsubun people would also eat a thick sushi roll called "ehōmaki" to pray for good fortune for their family.
4.Valentine's Day (barentaindē)
Valentine's Day (barentaindē) is known as a "day for lovers" around the world, but Japan has its own unique culture. For example, the gift given on Valentine's Day is chocolate, and women give gifts to men.
As Valentine's Day approaches, women prepare by buying chocolates at department stores or pastry shops, or by making homemade chocolates at home. Valentine's Day chocolates have various names depending on the recipient and the reason for giving them.
For example, chocolate given to a man you like to confess your feelings to is called "honmei choko," chocolate given formally to a man you are not romantically interested in is called "giri choko," and chocolate given to a friend is called "tomo choko."
Some people decide the price of chocolate or the difficulty of making it depending on who they are giving it to and why, so every year around this time you can see many different types of chocolate in stores.
5.White Day (howaitodē)
White Day (howaitodē) is the day when men who received chocolates from women on Valentine's Day give thanks to them. White Day (howaitodē) is held one month after Valentine's Day, on March 14th every year. This event is unique to Japan and is said to have originated from the Japanese idea that if you receive a gift from someone, you should show your gratitude by giving something in return. By the way, gifts to women on White Day (howaitodē) do not have to be chocolate, so men can also give sweets like candy or cookies, or take them out to dinner.
6.Doll's Festival (hinamatsuri)
Hinamatsuri is a day held every year on March 3rd to celebrate the growth of girls. People decorate their homes with Hina dolls, which are believed to protect them from misfortune, and eat colorful sweets called Hinaarare, which come in three or four colors, in hopes of girls growing up healthy.
7.Children's Day (kodomonohi)
Children's Day (kodomonohi) is a day held on May 5th to celebrate the growth of children. It is customary to decorate the day with streamers called "koinobori" (carp streamers), which are modeled after carp, in hopes that children will continue to grow up healthy and happy.
8.Tanabata
Tanabata is an event held on July 7th. It is said that on July 7th every year, Orihime, the daughter of the god, and Hikoboshi, can meet once a year at the Milky Way, the Milky Way that flows through the heavens. The stars that appear to move across the night sky resemble a river, so the scene is called the Milky Way. As Tanabata approaches, people write their wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo. There is a legend that if they do so, their wishes will come true.
9.Obon
Obon is said to be the period once a year when deceased ancestors are able to return to this world. The period varies depending on the region, but Obon generally lasts for four days from August 13th to the 16th. On August 13th, a fire called a mukaebi is lit to welcome the ancestors, and on the 14th, offerings of fruit and sweets are made to the ancestors. Then, in the evening of the 16th, a fire called an okuribi is lit to send them off.
10.Shichigosan
Shichigosan is a day celebrated on November 15th to celebrate the growth of children aged 3, 5, and 7. The gender of the child is determined by their age; 3-year-olds are celebrated for both boys and girls, 5-year-olds are celebrated only for boys, and 7-year-olds are celebrated only for girls. Girls visit a shrine in traditional Japanese clothing, wearing kimonos, and boys in haori and hakama.
11.Christmas
"Christmas (kurisumasu)" is a day on December 25th that celebrates the birth of Christ into this world. Christmas in Japan has almost no religious significance, and is generally seen as a joyous event where people exchange gifts and enjoy a meal. In Japan, Christmas is spent eating cake and other delicious food with family, friends, and loved ones. Young children look forward to receiving presents from Santa.
12.New Year's Eve
"Omisoka" (New Year's Eve) refers to the last day of December, which is considered the most important day of the year as a turning point. On the last day of the year, people thoroughly clean their homes and eat soba noodles called "toshikoshi soba." On New Year's Eve, temple bells are rung 108 times in a ceremony called "Joyanokane" (New Year's Eve Bells), which aims to remove 108 earthly desires.
While Japanese events and holidays incorporate cultures from overseas, there are also some that are unique to Japan. For example, can you guess what kind of holidays "Marine Day (uminohi)" and "Mountain Day (yamanohi)" are?
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