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The New Year is one of the most important holidays in Japan. Like how Christmas is big in North America with relatives crossing the border to get together and celebrate the holidays; people all over Japan visit shrines on New Year's day to make New Year wishes.

Those who turn the age of 20 celebrate their Coming of Age on this day every year. Every city has its own unique ceremony. Another reason why 20 years has such emphasis is because it is the age of majority, legal drinking, smoking and voting age in Japan.

Formerly 'setsubun' meant "the separation of seasons", whereas presently it specifically refers to February 3rd (or 4th), the day preceding spring on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. However the eve before each of the four seasons, for example, 'risshun' (spring), 'rikka' (summer), 'risshu' (fall) and 'ritto' (winter) is still technically referred to as 'setsubun'. Japanese folks really appreciate 'setsubun' as the time of springtime rebirth coming after a long winter. Also referred to as 'risshun shogatsu', meaning Spring New Year and the completion of the Lunar Calendar, to celebrate this festive event folks take part in 'mamemaki' at home, temples or shrines. 'Mamemaki' is a ritual whereby celebrants toss about 'fuku mame', roasted beans to ward off 'oni' (evil) while calling for good 'fuku' (fortune). Usually a 'toshi-otoko', someone with the current year's animal sign (Chinese zodiac) will do the throwing act all the while energetically yelling, 'oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi' (devils out, happiness in!!!). Afterwards, family members eat the number of beans corresponding to the individual's age thus calling upon good health and fortune in the coming year.

This is the day when Japan's first emperor, Jimmu, inherited the throne. This date is also set as Japanese Foundation Day.

In Japan, every March 3rd, 'hina-matsuri' or 'momo no sekku' (Peach Blossom Festival) is a special celebration to wish all young daughters a successful and happy life. This event harkens back to Chinese purification rituals when a body's impurities or personal misfortune were transmitted to dolls and cast into rivers or seas simultaneously freeing a young girl from evil spirits. Following the introduction of this custom to Japan, it became connected to a young girl's doll play and celebrated as 'hina-matsuri' from the Edo Period (1603-1867) and henceforth. Most families with daughters proudly put on display a handsome set of Hina-dolls (Emperor, Empress and attendants) with the figurines in ceremonial finery; the regal couple wears traditional 'juni-hitoe' (twelve-layered ceremonial robe) of the Heian period (795-1185). On this day 'hina arare' (colorful popped rice) and 'hishimochi' (pink, green and white rice cakes) are set in front of the Hina-dolls as an offering along with 'shirozake' (white sake). There is a traditional saying that the dolls must be put away immidiately following the celebration, or risk having the celebrant girl doomed to marry late.

On this day and Autumnal Equinox Day(Shubun no hi), day and night become equal in length. This occurrence is also called "Higan". On this day Japanese People clean the tombstones, put new flowers, incense, and pay homage to their ancestors.

It used to be celebrated as the birthday of Emperor "Showa". Even after he passed away, it was decided that the day should remain as a national holiday for the commemoration of the late Emperor, who was interested in environmental problems, and especially in the preservation of trees and forests. Thus, the day was designated as "Green Day". it is the starting day of "the Golden week" which includes three national holidays.

'Golden Week' is the popular reference to Japan's most eagerly anticipated holiday period beginning near the end of April extending until about the fifth of May. Years when two weekends are advantageously occurring within that calendar period, the Japanese working population takes extended vacations, often flying off to foreign destinations. 'Showa-no-hi' on the former Emperor Showa's (1901 -1989) birthday initiates the holiday period April 29th. 'Kenpo Kinenbi' (Constitution Day) marks Japan's new national constitution proclaimed on May 3, 1947. 'Midori-no-hi', on May 4th literally meaning 'greenery day' when the Japanese people display their well-known love of natural beauty, plants and flowers, much as the former Emperor had displayed through his lifetime. Finally, 'Kodomo-no-hi' (Children's Day) May 5th is an occasion to celebrate the family's children and if there are boys, carp-shaped streamers are hung outdoor as a bright wish for future success and good health.

This is the day to commemorate the promulgation of the new Japanese Constitution, which put into effect on May 3 in 1947 after World War II. One of major changes from the former Constitution called "Meiji Constitution" is that new Constitution prohibits Japan have dominion of an army or involvement in war.

A day between two national holidays is also called a national holiday, unless the "between day" is a Sunday, in which case it will be just a regular Sunday.

This is a festival day for boys. Parents hang up carp streamers from a high pole and display warrior dolls to wish their boys health and future success. The carp is considered to be a symbol of strength and power.

'Tango no Sekku' is celebrated May 5th, although called 'Children's Day' in reality it celebrates a boy's good health and future growth. Young girls have their exclusive 'Hina Matsuri' (Doll Festival) celebration on March 3rd. 'Koinobori' are brightly colored carp streamers displayed and flown outside the family home where there are boys. As told by a Chinese tale, the 'Koi' or carp fish is a symbol of strength and determination shown when they'd bravely swim up a waterfall to metamorphose into dragons.
As well, warrior dolls 'Musha-Kazari' and miniature samurai armor, swords, bow and arrows are displayed in the family home. 'Koinobori' are traditionally a grand-mother's gift greeting a new-born male heir. Families gather to sample varieties of 'Kashiwamochi' special rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves and filled with sweet bean paste and 'Chimaki' a chewy rice confection wrapped in bamboo leaves.

This is the day to celebrate the ocean, and this day was enacted to mark the return of Emperor Meiji from his sea voyage to Tohoku.

One of the most romantic festivals anywhere in the world, 'Tanabata' occurs on the 7th day of July, the 7th month. The Star Festival (Tanabata) tells of an ancient Chinese legend recounting the romance between 'Orihime' the Weaving Princess and 'Hikoboshi', the Shepherd, but that love interfered with their duties thus incurring the wrath of 'Tenkou', the Sky King and father of 'Orihime'. The couple was banished to opposite shores of the Milky Way, however, the king's affection for his daughter allowed for a single sky-bound rendez-vous for the heart-broken couple.
In most of Japan, the celestial event when the stars Vega and Altair are in nearest conjunction occurs each July 7th, although in some areas it's according to the Lunar Year calendar. The two most popular such festivals are celebrated July 7th in Hiratsuka, Kanawaga Prefecture and August 7th in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Inscribing the heart's true wishes and desire on 'Tanzaku' (colored paper streamers) and hanging it from a bamboo tree is a sweet and romantic 'Tanabata' custom.

'Obon' is a Japanese national holiday in mid- August that honors the deceased spirits of a family's ancestors. It's considered a vital part of family life and tradition and as such Japanese family members, no matter how far dispersed individuals may be, make great efforts to gather at the family home. Part of the reunion is to spend affectionate moments with living family members and part to spend time to spruce up graves and honor the memory of those who have passed on. On August 13, lanterns are lit in front of family homes to guide the souls of the ancestors where they are welcomed home with fruit and assorted foods set on a Buddhist altar.
'Bon Odori' is a traditional dance to express gratitude at the temporary release from the grave for the ancestral souls. The celebrations end in a touching and poetic launch of illuminated lanterns upon rivers and streams to guide the spirits back to their underworld there to await next year's 'Obon'.

This is a day to show respect for the elderly and celebrate their longevity.

This is another Equinox day, Autumnal Equinox Day(Shubun no hi), the length of night and day becomes equal. Once again, this day can also be referred as "Higan", People clean the tombstones, put new flowers, incense, and pay homage to their ancestors.

This is the day the Tokyo Olympic Games were opened in 1964. In commemoration of the Tokyo Olympic Games, a number of cities, towns and villages hold athletic festivals and other sports events on this day.

This is a day for promotion of culture and the love for freedom and peace. It used to be a national holiday as a commemoration to Emperor Meiji's birthday. The government announces certain persons who have contributed to the advancement of this nation's culture, and some of them are awarded a "Cultural Medal" by the Emperor.

This day was established in 1948 to give respect to labor, celebrate production, to express our gratitude to working people.

The birthday of the current emperor. Many people visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on this day to celebrate the Emperor's birthday wishing the Emperor's good health and long life. The Emperor and the Imperial family members appear on the balcony of the palace to greet the visitors.

'Ohmisoka', New Year's Eve in English is considered propitious for 'Ohsoji', a time to clean up one's home and especially to get rid of unwelcome, impure auras. The happy household readies 'Kado-matsu' (Gate Pine) ornaments as well as 'Kagamimochi', round-shaped rice cakes, to decorate the home in a festive atmosphere. 'Osechi ryori' a special, traditional New Year's menu is lovingly prepared by the family mother. 'Toshikoshi-Soba' (a special buckwheat noodle to celebrate the year's transition) made with long strands is consumed before midnight to ensure the family's good fortune will last as long as the lengthy noodle. Japanese folks stay up late to greet the dawn of a new year while 'Joya no kane' meaning 108 strokes upon a temple bell chimes at midnight. In Buddhist beliefs, 108 'Bonno' represents the number of worldly superfluous desires humans are plagued with and one is driven off with each ring. Buddhist temples are much visited on this festive occasion.
The happy household readies 'Kado-matsu'(Gate Pine) ornaments and 'Kagami-mochi' succulent piles of round-shaped rice cakes to decorate the house, and 'Osechi ryori' a special, traditional New Year's menu lovingly prepared by the family mother.
'Kagami-mochi' is a rice cakes for decorating the household. It is not a special meal, however, it will be eaten by family members later on.