Destinations, Travel tips, Festivals and Public Holidays
Posts tagged japan holidays 2013
Showa Day 2014
Feb 11th
Showa Day
Showa Day is a national holiday in Japan which is observed annually on 29 April – the birthday of Emperor Hirohito (Showa Emperor) who ruled Japan from 1926 until 1989. The purpose of this holiday is to honor the birthday of Emperor Hirohito as well as to commemorate the turbulence happening in Japan during his 63 years reign. Showa Day also marks the beginning of Golden Week in Japan. More >
Greenery Day 2013
Jan 10th
Greenery Day
Greenery Day or Midori no Hi is a national holiday observed annually on 4 May in Japan. As its name implies, Greenery Day is considered as a moment to thank the nature for its blessings to human beings. Greenery Day is a part of holidays known as Golden Week in Japan. More >
Tanabata 2013
Dec 21st
Tanabata / Japanese Star Festival
Tanabata is a festival in Japan to celebrate the meeting of Orihime and Hikoboshi, two deities of Japan represented by Vega and Altair – the brightest star in Lyra and Aquila constellations. The observance date of Tanabata varies in different regions of Japan. Yet, most regions celebrate the festival on Summer between July and August every year. More >
Vernal Equinox Day 2014
Dec 20th
Vernal Equinox Day / Shunbun no Hi
Vernal Equinox Day (also known as Spring Equinox Day or Shunbun No Hi) is one of Japanese public holidays observed on 20 or 21 March every year. In this day, the length of day and night is almost the same all over the world. People in Japan celebrate the holiday as a day to commune with nature and show their care to all living things.
When is Vernal Equinox Day 2014?
Vernal Equinox Day is celebrated on 20 or 21 March every year. In order to determine the accurate date of Vernal Equinox Day, Japanese government do not officially declare the date until February in the preceding year. Spring Equinox Day 2014 in Japan falls on Thursday, 20 March 2014.
Origin of Vernal Equinox Day
Formerly, the date of Vernal Equinox Day was celebrated as Shunki kōreisai, a Shintoism event in Japan. In 1948, the government repackaged Shunki kōreisai as a non-religious holiday and renamed it Vernal Equinox Day. Vernal Equinox Day is then observed as a public holiday throughout Japan until recently.
Vernal Equinox Day 2014 Celebrations
During this holiday, many people in Japan visit Buddhist temples to attend special services and events. Many others visit the graves of their family to clean the graves, offer flowers and food, as well as burn incense. This tradition runs to pay respect to the ancestors and solace their spirits.
Happy Vernal Equinox Day 2014 !
Ocean Day 2013
Nov 23rd
Ocean Day
Ocean Day (Umi no Hi), also known as Marine Day and Sea Day, is a public holiday in Japan to thank for the blessings of the ocean. This special day is also meant to recognize the importance of sea for Japan as an island state. People in Japan celebrate Ocean Day on the third Monday in July every year. More >
Labor Thanksgiving Day 2013
Oct 25th
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Labor Thanksgiving Day or Kinrō Kansha no Hi is a national holiday in Japan to celebrate the labors’ achievement and to express gratitude for every work done along the year. They think of the event as an encouragement to the environment, peace and human rights. People in Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day on 23 November every year. More >
The Emperor’s Birthday 2013
Oct 24th
The Emperor’s Birthday / Tennō Tanjōbi
The Emperor’s Birthday is a national holiday in Japan to celebrate the birthday of current Emperor of Japan – Emperor Akihito. Japanese people celebrate The Emperor’s Birthday on 23 December every year. On that date in 1933, Emperor Akihito was born from the Empress Kojun and Emperor Hirohito. More >
Culture Day 2013
Sep 13th
Culture Day / Bunka no Hi
Culture Day of Bunka no Hi is a national holiday in Japan to promote arts, cultures, and efforts in academic. On this holiday, series of parades and art exhibitions are conducted, and awards are given to the most ingenious artists and scholars in Japan. Culture Day is observed annually on 3 November in Japan. More >
Constitution Memorial Day 2013
Aug 26th
Constitution Memorial Day in Japan
Constitution Memorial Day or Constitution Day (Kenpo Kinenbi) is a national holiday in Japan to commemorate the declaration of the Constitution of Japan on 3 May 1947. This event is considered as a day to reflect on the meaning of democracy in Japan. Japanese people celebrate Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May every year. It is known as a part of Golden Week holidays in Japan. More >
National Foundation Day 2014
Aug 25th
Japanese National Foundation Day
National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi) is a national holiday in Japan to celebrate the foundation day of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. People in Japan observe National Foundation Day on 11 February each year. According to the government of Japan, the date of National Foundation Day corresponds to the regnal day of Emperor Jimmu. More >
