Coming of Age Day

Japan celebrates Coming of Age Day on the second Monday of January. This holiday is dedicated to recognising the nation’s newest adults who have reached legal adulthood after 2 April of the previous year or who will reach it by 1 April of the current year. In 2027, Coming of Age Day falls on Monday 11 January. The holiday will be on Monday 10 January in 2028. Coming of Age Day is mostly celebrated by parties put on for those who have or who will turn 20 in the relevant April to April timeframe. There are get-togethers with family and friends with food, fellowship, and much cheer. There are also special, traditional ceremonies connected with Coming of Age Day. These take place at local government offices throughout the land. Officials give speeches to the newest batch of adults and give them small gifts. It is traditional for women who’ve just come of age to dress their finest on Coming of Age Day. They typically wear a long-sleeved kimono, called a “furisode”, which they have rented or borrowed from a relative. They spend much time in beauty salons preparing for the occasion. Men used to wear traditional hakama, but nowadays, they usually don a snappy suit and tie.