Japan's Annual events
Introducing major annual events in Japan
First visit of the year to a shrine
January
celebrate new year, swear, give thanks
Eat delicious lucky charms.
January
Eat zoni (soup with mochi as the main ingredient) and osechi ryori (good luck charms for the New Year with various ingredients).
Setsubun (throwing beans to ward off evil)
February 3rd
An event to ward off evil and bring good fortune.
Doll Festival
March 3rd
Hinamatsuri began as an event in which, as a scapegoat for a daughter, she transferred the misfortunes and impurities that would attack her to a hina doll.
Hanami
March to April
The cherry blossoms are so beautiful that we hold welcome parties and banquets under the trees.
Night cherry blossoms are also recommended.
Graduation ceremony
March
There is a graduation ceremony in March.
It’s time to say goodbye and start a new journey.
Admission & entrance ceremony
April
Japanese school starts in April.
When I look at the “randoseru” (elementary school bag), I feel nostalgia and the new year.
Entrance ceremony
April or September
Getting a job for the first time as a member of society is exciting.
The initiation ceremony is usually held in April or September, depending on the size of the company.
Children's day/Boys' Festival/Carp streamer
May 5th
The aim is to “respect the personality of the child, strive for the happiness of the child, and thank the mother.”
Also, Children’s Day and Boys’ Festival, which celebrates the growth of boys, are on the same day, but they are different things.
Festival
August
Summer festivals are held mainly in August.
Festivals are held separately in each region.
Moon viewing
August 15
An event to appreciate the moon on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar
New Year's Eve
December 31
Many people welcome the New Year by watching TV at home.
Some people go to shrines at night and do hatsumode around the time the date changes.
In Japan, we eat “something” before the date changes.