Japanese HolidaysJapanese Holidays represent a time of gathering and group harmony. Many of the national holidays are when people take their vacations together and can be a very slow moving, crowded, and expensive time in Japan. Although not a holiday, this event was recently held in Buffalo, NY: • Japan Day ~Disaster Relief~ - This event will take place on April 16th. There will be many traditional events, including Josh's Shakuhachi Bamboo Flute performance. However, culturally many holidays are a mixture of Buddhist holidays and things related to nature and the seasons, for example Hanami flower viewings for Sakura Cherry Blossom and Autumn Leaves. The next holiday in Japan that is coming up is CHRISTMAS IN JAPAN. See here for more information on what it’s like during the holidays in Japan. January 1: New Year’s (Oshogatsu) – This is a huge holiday in Japan when everyone get’s together and often goes to a local or famous Shrine (Hatsumode). Here is a picture of a Japanese restaurant decorated for the New Year:
• 2nd Monday: Coming of Age Day (Seijin-no-hi) - 20 year-olds celebrate becoming adults, often dressing in formal kimono. February • 3: Setsubun – This day marks the beginning of Spring. Bean’s are often thrown at goblins and evil spirits to ward them off. This Japanese holiday is celebrated at home and school with children, as well as at local Shrines for the general public. 
• 11: National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinenbi) March • 3: Doll’s Festival (Hina Matsuri) – This Japanese holiday is also called Girl’s Day. Here is more information about a whole town that celebrates and decorates for the Doll Festival in Takatori.
• 14: White Day – This holiday was created by the candy companies. Valentine’s Day is typically when women give men a gift and White Day is when men give a gift to women. • 20 or 21: Spring Equinox (Shunbun-no-hi) April The Japanese school year begins and the Sakura cherry trees are blooming. Click here for more info about Japanese traditions with Cherry Blossoms. • 29: Showa Day (Showa-no-hi) – The former Emperor Showa's birthday. May • 3: Constitution Day (Kenpo Kinenbi) June The Rainy Season usually begins, although recent weather patterns do not always coincide with tradition. It has become a few heavy days of rainfall more than a whole month of drizzle. July • 7: Tanabata – A Star Festival referring to a story about the Milky Way. 3rd Monday: Ocean Day (Umi-no-hi) - A new holiday celebrating the Ocean. Often beaches open for the summer on this day. AugustM • 13-16: The Bon Festival (Obon) - These Japanese holidays are to honor ancestors often by visiting their graves, cleaning and offering prayers there. Many families also take summer vacation during this time. September • 3rd Monday: Respect for the Aged Day (Keirou-no-hi) October • 2nd Monday: Sports and Health Day (Taiiku-no-hi) November • 3: Culture Day (Bunka-no-hi) • 23: Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro-kansha-no-hi) • During this time of year many people make visits to temples and gardens for their spectacular displays of Autumn Leaves. Not official Japanese holidays, but culturally observed by most people. December • 23: The Emperor's Birthday (Tenno no tanjobi)- The birthday of the current Heisei emperor, a holiday which changes with each new Emperor. 31: New Year’s Eve (Omisoka) – Some people visit temples at midnight when their large bells strike in the New Year. There are many Japanese holidays both cultural and national that bring people together and aim for it to be a time of reflection.
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