Major Holidays and Celebrations in Japan

Japan is a country filled with a rich culture and a long history, and one of the aspects that reflects this is the abundance of holidays and celebrations that are celebrated throughout the year. In this blog post, we will explore some of the major holidays and celebrations in Japan, and what they mean to the Japanese people.

New Year’s Day (Shogatsu)

New Year’s Day is one of the most important holidays in Japan, and is a time for renewal and spending time with family. The celebrations begin in the days leading up to January 1st, with families cleaning their homes (toshikoshi soba) and decorating with traditional ornaments (kadomatsu). At midnight on New Year’s Eve, many temples ring bells 108 times, a practice known as Joya no Kane, to symbolize the elimination of 108 human sins.

Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi)

The second Monday of January is Coming of Age Day in Japan, and is a day to celebrate those who have turned 20 years old in the past year. 20 is the age of majority in Japan, and is when individuals are legally recognized as adults. On this day, those who have turned 20 gather at local government offices or town halls for ceremonies and speeches, and then attend parties with their family and friends.

Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri)

The Doll Festival is a tradition that has been celebrated in Japan for over 1,000 years, and is the day when families with daughters display a set of ornamental dolls in traditional clothing. These dolls are displayed on a tiered stand, and are a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the girls. The festival takes place on March 3rd, and is also known as Girls’ Day.

Golden Week

Golden Week is a series of four national holidays in Japan that take place during the end of April and beginning of May. The holidays are Showa Day (April 29th), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3rd), Greenery Day (May 4th), and Children’s Day (May 5th). Many Japanese people take advantage of this extended holiday period to travel or visit family.

Tanabata Festival

The Tanabata Festival, also known as the Star Festival, takes place on July 7th and is based on a Chinese legend about two stars that can only meet once a year. During this festival, communities set up bamboo branches with colorful decorations, and people write their wishes on small pieces of paper and hang them from the branches. The festival is celebrated throughout Japan, but each area has unique customs and traditions.

Obon Festival

The Obon Festival is a time to honor the spirits of ancestors who have passed away. It takes place in mid-August and is a three-day event. Families typically visit their ancestral homes, clean the graves of their ancestors, and offer food and flowers as a sign of respect. Bon dances are also held during this time, where people dance to traditional music in yukata (summer kimonos) to welcome back the spirits of their loved ones.

New Year’s Eve (Omisoka)

Similar to New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve in Japan is a time for symbolic renewal, reflection, and staying up until midnight to ring in the new year. It is traditional to eat a bowl of toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles) on New Year’s Eve, as the long noodles represent long life and prosperity. At midnight, many people visit temples or shrines to pray for good luck in the coming year.

In conclusion, Japan is a country with a vast array of holidays and celebrations that have deep cultural meaning and significance to the Japanese people. From New Year’s Day to Obon Festival, these celebrations offer insight into Japanese traditions, culture, and history.