Every country has its own holidays wherein people celebrate the occasion in their own various ways. If it is a national holiday, it would also mean that there would be no classes in schools and no work for people who have day jobs to give time for people to celebrate the holiday appropriately. Holidays, in general, occur depending on its significance to the nation where it is celebrated. Generally, significant events such as Independence Day, Christmas day, and New Year’s Day are celebrated in most countries. However, there are also those holidays that are special to a specific country only.
In Japan, there are several holidays that the Japanese people celebrate every year. These are holidays that commemorate the traditions and the customs that people adhere to in the country of Japan. Some holidays only occur in certain places in the Land of the Sun depending on its significance to the history and customs of that city or prefecture. On the other hand, there are also national holidays that every person in Japan celebrates each year. There are certain holidays wherein both adults and children alike go all out and unite together to celebrate the holiday.
Japanese National Holidays in the Year 2017 and 2018
There used to be only 15 national or public holidays that are celebrated in Japan, but another one was added in the year 2016 and is now being celebrated this 2017, the following 2018, and the next years ahead. Also known as kokumin no shukujitsu in Japanese, public holidays in Japan were established in the year 1948, as amended, by the Public Holiday Law of the country. Also known as Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Hōritsu in Japanese., the Public Holiday Law states that should a national holiday fall on a Sunday, the following working day shall be considered as a public holiday called furikae kyūjitsu, which literally translates to “transfer holiday.”
Another provision stated by the Public Holiday Law in Japan is that any day that is sandwiched by two other public holidays shall also become a holiday as well. This is called kokumin no kyūjitsu, which literally translates to “citizens’ holiday.” An example of this would be the 4th of May wherein the day is in between two other national holidays, namely the Constitution Memorial Day held on the 3rd of May and the Children’s Day held on the 5th of May. On the other hand, come the year 2007, it was replaced by the Greenery Day.
The first national holiday of the year occurs on the 1st of January, which is New Year’s Day. Also known as Ganjitsu in Japanese, this public holiday in Japan was established in the year 1948 to celebrate the beginning of another year. This national holiday marks the start of the most significant holiday season of the country, which is the New Year season. Also known as shogatsu in Japanese, the New Year season typically refers to the first one, three, or seven days of the New Year. The only national holiday for the New Year season is the first day of the year as prescribed by the law but most establishments typically close from the 29th of December to the 3rd of January of the following year.
Another holiday that is celebrated in the month of January is the Coming of Age Day. Also known as Seijin no Hi, this national holiday occurs on the 2nd Monday of the month every year. Also established in the year 1948, this public holiday aims to congratulate the young adults who have reached the age of maturity considered in Japan, which is 20 years old. Various ceremonies are held in several towns and cities to celebrate this event. While it used to be celebrated every 15th of January, the date was changed in the year 2000 to coincide with the Happy Monday system.
On the 29th of the month of April, another national holiday known as Showa Day, also called Shōwa no Hi in Japanese, is celebrated. Established in the year 2007, this public holiday aims to commemorate the events that transpired during the Showa period. Celebrated on the birthday of Hiroshito, officially known as Emperor Shōwa, this national holiday became known as Greenery Day for some time though Greenery Day was moved on to a later date. Today, Showa Day is a different holiday to Greenery Day and marks the beginning of the Golden Week, which is a holiday period.
On the other hand, there are three consecutive national holidays in the month of May. The first national holiday in the month of May is known as the Constitution Memorial Day. Also known as Kenpō Kinenbi in Japanese, the Constitution Memorial Day was established in the year 1948. Held every 3rd of May every year, this national holiday aims to commemorate the time when the post-war constitution of the country came in effect. This public holiday also falls during the Golden Week holiday period. Following this national holiday would be the Greenery Day, also known as Midori no Hi in Japanese. Held every 4th of May every year, this public holiday was established in the year 1989 to commune with nature. Also falling on the Golden Week, Greenery Day is a day to celebrate the blessings that the Japanese people receive every year.
Coming up last would be the Children’s Day, also known as Kodomo no Hi in Japanese. Held every 5th of May every year, this public holiday was established in the year 1948. The aim of this holiday is to plan for the happiness and the future of the children of Japan. Japanese families who have a boy would traditionally fly koinobori and adorn their homes with samurai dolls. It is also on this day that the Golden Week holiday period officially ends.
On the month of July, there is only one national holiday that is celebrated in the country of Japan. This public holiday is known as Marine Day, also called Umi no Hi in Japanese. Held every 3rd Monday of the month, Marine Day was established in the year 1995 but was held for the first time in the year 1996. This national holiday signifies the gratitude of the Japanese people for the blessings coming from the ocean. It is also devoted to the praying for the prosperity of the maritime nation. While it was originally held every 20th of July, the date was changed in the year 2003 to coincide with the Happy Monday System.
In the beginning of the –ber months, the first national holiday to be celebrated would be the Respect for the Aged Day. Also known as Keirō no Hi in Japanese, this national holiday is held every 3rd Monday of the month of September. Established in the year 1966, Respect for the Aged Day aims to commemorate and celebrate the long life of the elders of Japan. Formerly known as Old Folks’ Day or Rōjin no Hi in Japanese, this public holiday used to be celebrated every 15th of September but was changed to coincide with the Happy Monday System.
Another national holiday in the month of September would be the Autumnal Equinox Day. Also known as Shūbun no Hi, this public holiday was established in the year 1948 to remember and honor one’s ancestors. Held every 23rd of September, this public holiday is a solemn tradition in the country of Japan. Coming next in the month of October is a national holiday known as the Health and Sports Day. Also called Taiiku no Hi in Japanese, this public holiday is held every 2nd Monday of the month. Established in the year 1966, this national holiday is devoted to the enjoyment of sports. It also encourages the cultivation of a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. This holiday was originally held every 10th of October to memorialize the anniversary of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics Opening, but the date was changed to coincide with the Happy Monday System.
There are two national holidays that are held in the month of November. The first national holiday of the month would be the Culture Day. Also known as Bunka no Hi in Japanese, this public holiday celebrates the announcement of the constitution back in the year 1946. Held every 3rd day of the month, this holiday was only established two years after the event, in the year 1948. This public holiday signifies the peace and freedom that is promoted in the culture of Japan. On the other hand, before this holiday was known as Culture Day, the 3rd of November was already considered a holiday, known as Meiji-setsu, to commemorate the birthday of Emperor Meiji.
The second national holiday in the month of November would be the Labor Thanksgiving Day. Also known as Kinrō Kansha no Hi, this national holiday was also established in the year 1948 to give thanks to the labor and production provided by the citizens of the country. Held every 23rd of the month, this is a celebration for all of the people of Japan who work hard not just for their families, but for their country as well. Before this holiday was established, an imperial harvest festival known as Niiname-sai was held on this day.
The last holiday of the year would be the Emperor’s Birthday, also known as Tennō Tanjōbi in Japanese. Held on the birthday of the ruling emperor each year, this holiday has been celebrated since the year 1868. Formerly called Tenchō-setsu, it was only renamed in the year 1948. Currently, this holiday is being celebrated on the birthday of Emperor Akihito, which is on the 23rd of December.
The Important Holidays in February, March, and August
There are three other national holidays held in Japan every year, one in February, one in March, and another in August. The public holiday held every 11th of February is known as the Foundation Day. Also called Kenkoku Kinen no Hi in Japanese, this national holiday was established in the year 1966 and was first celebrated a year after, in the year 1967. This day aims to nurture the love of the Japanese people for their home country. It also commemorates the establishment of the nation.
Around the 20th of March every year, a public holiday known as the Vernal Equinox Day is held and celebrated. Also known as Shunbun no Hi, it was established in the year 1948 to encourage the love for nature and all living things. As for the newly added national holiday in Japan, it would be none other than the Mountain Day. Also known as Yama no Hi, this public holiday was just established in the year 2014 to show appreciation to the mountains of Japan. Held on the 11th of August, this national holiday is meant to be celebrated along with the Bon Festival, which is also held in the middle of the month of August.
Holidays in Japan: A Celebration of Traditions
Typical to the holidays of Japan, it is celebrated along with various traditions that hold meaning to the hearts and minds of the Japanese people. An example would be how they celebrate the most important national holiday in the country, which is the New Years. Preparations are made prior to the celebration of the holiday. Houses are cleaned, unnecessary items are thrown away, and all outstanding debts are paid before the beginning of another year. If there are any repairs needed in the house, they should be done prior to the start of another year. After cleaning the house, it is customary for them to take a hot bath.
At the beginning of the New Year, it is a tradition for the Japanese people to visit relatives and friends for greetings. Prayers are also done to wish the best for the New Year. Sharing stories of the past year and wishing others the best are also a custom in Japan during this holiday.
Other Important Dates in the Calendar of Japan Today
There are also other important dates that the Japanese celebrate even though these days are not considered national or public holidays. An example of this is the Beginning of Spring, also known as Setsubun, which most shrines and temples all over the country celebrate. Other examples include the Doll’s Festival or Hina Matsuri, Star Festival or Tanabata, and Obon Festival.
There are definitely a lot of holidays that the Japanese people celebrate every single year. Their significance is highly valued by the citizens of the country that there are even traditions that come along these holidays. Experiencing how the Japanese celebrate their various holidays would definitely worthwhile.