Coming of Age Day

Seijin no hi, 成人の日, coming of age day is a Japanese holiday held on the second Monday of January.

When a youth turns twenty years old they participate in this holiday to celebrate their becoming an adult, the age of majority. The holiday was created to celebrate and congratulate young adults in a special ceremony held at local/prefectural offices, as well as after-parties for families.

It is estimated that the ceremony has been around in Japan since about 714 AD, when it is said a young Emperor was given new robes and hairstyle to mark his transition into adulthood.

The holiday itself was created in 1948, and was held every year on January 15th, until the year 2000 when the Happy Monday System/ハッピーマンデー制度/Happī Mandē Seido was created. So the coming of age day was changed to the second monday in january. The purpose of the Happy Monday system was to create a three day weekend for those who work five day weeks.


Many young women wear furisode to the ceremonies, which is a style of Kimono that has very bright coloues and very long sleeves, and zōri sandals. Young Men sometimes wear traditional Kimono with Hakama, but many wear a suit and tie.

At twenty years old a person can vote, drink and marry with out permission from parents. It certainly is a special day of the youth of Japan. Omedetou to all of those who have become adults!