Coming of Age Day - Japan

Every year during the second Monday of January celebration ceremonies are held for Japanese men and women who have reached the age of twenty. Coming of age day is part of young Japanese man or women passage into adulthood and includes coming of age ceremonies held at their local prefectures city office, where they dress in traditional Japanese kimonos. After the ceremonies most young people go out to celebrate their new right to consume alcoholic beverages. This tradition originally date back to about 714 AD, when a young prince wore a new robe and featured a new hair style to mark his passage into manhood. The holiday was truly established in 1948 and as be held in January ever since.

The ceremonies are usually held in the morning at local town halls or city offices, where all young adults of the area who have or will turn twenty that year attend. Government officials give speeches and small presents are handed out to the newly-recognized adults.

Many of the women who are coming of age wear traditional Furisode Kimonos which feature long sleeves and wear Zori sandals. Since most women can not put on the kimonos themselves, this is one of the busiest times of year for many Japanese beauty salons and hair dressers. The men also some times wear tradition Japanese robes, but nowadays many men wear formal suits and ties. The celebration of one’s coming of age reflects both upon the rights of an Adult and the new responsibilities of being an adult.

Coming of Age Day - Japan