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Holidays
and Days of Importance in Japan
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January
1st - New Year’s Day
Many companies will close their doors around
New Years day. This can happen from the 29th
of December until the 3rd of January. From
mid December to mid January is one of the
times of year where business slows down to
a crawl in most sectors; although recently
retail based businesses have remained open
to capitalize on the festive season.
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January
8th - Coming of Age Day (Second Monday
in January)
A time when it is common to see young ladies
dressed in intricate kimonos. A great deal
of preparation is undertaken and for industries
which cater to beauty and fashion; a boom
time. Each local community usually puts on
an event. This is a holiday with particular
significance in Japan.
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February
3rd - Coming of Spring
Not considered a holiday but a time where
the Japanese household prepares for spring.
A time when evil spirits are expelled and
good fortune welcomed, by throwing roasted
soy beans about the house.
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February
11th - National Foundation Day
Commemorates the rule of Jimmu; Japan's first
Emperor and celebrates the founding of the
Japanese nation.
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February
14th - Valentine’s Day
Although not recognized as a holiday, Valentine’s
day is widely celebrated. Unlike western countries,
Japanese women are expected to give their
male friends and colleagues chocolate whereas
White day (March 14th) is when men are expected
to be the givers.
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March
3rd - Doll Festival
Not considered a holiday by widely observed.
Girls are the focus of this day and it is
common to see displays of miniature dolls
and furniture.
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March
14th - White Day
Not considered a holiday but allows the men
to repay the women for gifts given on Valentine’s
Day.
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March
20th - Vernal Equinox
One of two days in the year where both day
and night are equal. An important day for
Buddhists and a time where families may visit
the graves of their loved ones.
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April
1st
Not a holiday but the beginning of the school
year. The government’s fiscal year starts
on this day as well as many businesses.
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April
29th - Greenery Day
This day was originally celebrated as Emperor
Hirohito’s birthday but after his death
it’s name was changed to signify the
Emperor’s love of nature. This day also
marks the beginning of Golden Week; a week
long spring break that see many families traveling
and enjoying the outdoors.
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May
3rd - Constitution Memorial Day (always
May 3)
This day is used to celebrate Japan’s
modern constitution implemented in 1947 after
World War 2.
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May
4th - People’s Day (always
May 4)
this holiday is dedicated to the people of
Japan as a nation.
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May
5th - Children’s Day
In the past this was recognized as Boy’s
Day but has evolved into a day where prayers
of health and happiness for the nation’s
children are made. This marks the end of Golden
Week.
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Second Sunday in May - Mother’s
Day
Not considered a holiday but has gained popularity
recently and is recognized widely as a day
of importance.
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June 17th (Sunday) - Father’s
Day
Not considered a holiday but as with Mother’s
day has recently become more recognized.
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July 7th
- Tanabata
Not considered a holiday but is widely celebrated.
It comes from a Chinese legend telling of
the two stars Altair and Vega breaking away
from the Milky Way to met.
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July
20th - Marine Day (always July 20th
)
A relatively new holiday to mark the previous
Emperor’s love of the ocean as well
as to display the Japanese peoples appreciation
of the sea.
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August 6th
Not a holiday but a sober day commemorating
the lives lost when Hiroshima was A-bombed
in 1945. Nagasaki was bombed 3 days later.
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August
13th
- Obon (always Aug 13-15)
Not considered a holiday, but an important
time in the Buddhist calendar where ancestor’s
souls can return to earth to visit their living
relatives. Most families will make time to
visit their ancestor’s graves during
this time and companies usually allow employees
time off to observe this belief.
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September 15th - Respect
for the Aged Day (always on September 15th)
A day used to pay respect to Japan’s
elderly and to celebrate their longevity.
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September
23rd - Autumnal Equinox
This is the second day of the year where night
and day are equal; an important time in the
Buddhist memorial period.
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October 8th (Monday) - Sports
Day Taiku no Hi (always on second Monday)
This day is was used originally to celebrate
the 1964, Tokyo Olympics but is more widely
recognized today as a day to celebrate physical
and mental health through exercise. Schools
all over the country will have athletics days.
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October 31st - Halloween
Not recognized as a holiday but commercially,
Halloween is becoming bigger each year.
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November 3rd - Culture Day Bunka no Hi
A holiday celebrated with cultural activities
marking the Japanese love of freedom and wish
for continued peace.
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November
15th - Shichi-Go-San Festival
Not considered a holiday but a traditional
festival. Especially important for boys aged
5 and girls aged 3 and 7.
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November 23rd - Labor Thanksgiving
Day (always on Nov 23)
This is a holiday used by people for expressing
appreciation for one another’s hard
work and the rewards of that hard work.
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December 23rd - Emperor’s
Birthday
This day celebrates the birth of the current
Emperor; Akihito.
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December
25th - Christmas Day
Not considered a holiday in Japan but due
to Christmas’s commercial appeal has
become popular with children who, like their
counterparts in western countries, expect
to be given presents by their parents.
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