#18 Coming of Age Day – Japan’s Public Holiday
Japan currently has a total of 16 public holidays. Is that more or fewer than your country? Today, Monday, 13th of January, is one of Japan’s public holidays: Coming of Age Day, 成人(せいじん)の日(ひ).
In Singapore, as a multi-ethnic and multicultural country, public holidays are chosen to celebrate major religious and cultural events. But what about Japan? What do Japan’s public holidays celebrate? Today, let’s take a closer look at Coming of Age Day, one of Japan’s unique celebrations.👏
Overview of Coming of Age Day
Meaning
According to the Cabinet Office’s website, this day is meant to “congratulate and encourage young people who have become aware of their responsibilities as adults and are determined to live their own lives.”
If you think about it positively, it’s a day to reflect on becoming independent and embracing your responsibilities as a member of society.
On the other hand, you could see it as the day you bid farewell to the carefree days of childhood forever, thinking, “I don’t want to grow up just yet!” 😅haha
How would you feel about this kind of day? 🤭
Date
Coming of Age Day is celebrated on the second Monday of January every year.
Originally, this holiday was fixed on 15th January, but in 2000 it was moved to its current date. The change was made to create a long weekend, encouraging people to enjoy their free time. For many people in Japan, this extra day off is definitely appreciated! 😁
Why was 15th January chosen in the first place? It has to do with traditional New Year celebrations. I’ll save that explanation for another time, maybe when I write an article about Japanese New Year traditions.
How Old Do People Become Adults in Japan?
Here’s a quick summary: as of 2025, adulthood in Japan starts at 18 years old. In comparison, the age of adulthood in Singapore is 21. According to Japan’s Ministry of Justice, many countries around the world set adulthood at 18.
If you’re curious, you can check out their study (though it’s in Japanese). It might be an interesting read! 😊
https://www.moj.go.jp/content/000012508.pdf
In Japan, traditional ceremonies have been held for centuries to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. For boys, the ceremony was called "元服(げんぷく)", and for girls, it was known as "裳着(もぎ)". During these rituals, both boys and girls would style their hair in a way that resembled adults and wear adult attire, symbolizing their graduation from childhood.
You might think the age for adulthood back then was surprisingly young, but it’s important to remember that average life expectancy was much shorter compared to today. As a result, milestones like marriage and childbirth also occurred much earlier.
When I think about my own secondary school years, I was in the middle of my puberty period, far from being an adult! It’s hard to picture myself taking on adult responsibilities at that time. 😅
How Do We Celebrate Coming of Age Day Today?
While it’s a special occasion, modern celebrations aren’t particularly elaborate. Each city or town organizes a gathering at a local community centre or public hall. Young men and women who have reached adulthood in that area are invited. The event usually includes a speech by the mayor or another local official, followed by group photos. After that, it’s pretty much over!
Once the ceremony ends, many new adults take the opportunity to catch up with old friends. They often take pictures together or go out for drinks to celebrate.
The Famous 北九州市(Kitakyushu-city) Coming of Age Ceremony
Seeing Is Believing! If you’re curious, check out YouTube, videos of today’s Coming of Age ceremonies are already making the rounds! One of the most famous is the 北九州市(Kitakyushu-city) Coming of Age Ceremony. Every year, it draws attention with its now-traditional spectacle of young adults dressed in showy outfits.
What makes it so unique? Many participants keep the Yankee culture alive, proudly showing off the bold regent hairstyles and flashy attire that were popular among rebellious youth in the late 1970s and 1980s.😊
Summary
Among the many public holidays in Japan that celebrate milestones, Coming of Age Day stands out as a deeply personal event. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony that comes equally to everyone. For this reason, I personally feel that it’s one of the most significant public holidays in Japan. When I reached adulthood, I didn’t think much of it at the time, but later on, I came to appreciate its importance. ☺️
In Japan, there are also many celebrations that aren’t public holidays but are tied to certain ages. These traditions reflect Japan’s cultural roots in Animism, Shinto and Buddhism, as well as its unique values and beliefs. Understanding these celebrations can offer deeper insights into Japanese culture and spirituality.
I hope to introduce more of these traditions little by little in the future! 😊
Thank you for reading!