What Holidays Do Japan Not Celebrate?

Japan is a country that is well-known for its unique culture, traditions, and festivals. The biggest and most popular holidays in Japan are New Year’s Day, Golden Week, and Obon. However, not all holidays are celebrated the same way, and there are some that Japan does not observe.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some holidays that Japan does not celebrate and discuss the reasons why.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is celebrated in the United States and Canada. This holiday is not observed in Japan, primarily because it is an American and Canadian tradition. The concept of Thanksgiving and its historical roots are not well-known or widely understood in Japan. Additionally, Japan has its own set of harvest festivals, so there is no need to adopt another culture’s holiday.

Halloween

Halloween is a popular holiday in the Western world, but it is not typically celebrated in Japan. Although Halloween has recently gained some popularity, it is not recognized as a national holiday in Japan. The reason for this is that Halloween does not have strong cultural ties to Japan, and the holiday’s origins are not understood. However, some Japanese people are beginning to adopt Halloween customs as a way to have fun and dress up in costumes.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is celebrated in many parts of the world, but not in Japan. In Japan, Valentine’s Day has a unique twist, with girls giving chocolates to the boys they like. This tradition applies only to girls; boys do not usually participate in the exchanging of gifts. The closest holiday that Japan has to Valentine’s Day is White Day, which is celebrated on March 14th.

Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated in the United States to celebrate the country’s independence from Great Britain. Japan does not celebrate Independence Day because it has its own national holiday, which is commemorated on February 11th, called National Foundation Day. This holiday celebrates the formation of Japan as a nation and is a day when prayers are offered to the gods for peace and happiness in the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Japan has its own set of national holidays and traditions that are unique and tied to the country’s history and culture. While some holidays may be popular in other parts of the world, Japan has chosen not to observe them, as they do not have significant cultural ties to Japan. Nonetheless, Japan is always eager to adopt new customs and traditions from other countries, as evidenced by the growing popularity of Halloween and Valentine’s Day.