Seijin no Hi - Japanese Coming of Age Day

Seijin no Hi (成人の日; Coming-of-Age Day) is a national holiday in Japan, which falls on the second Monday in January each year (Jan 14 in 2008). The holiday is for young Japanese who reached the legal age of adulthood (20) to celebrate their new status.

A Coming-of-Age ceremony (成人式; Seijin shiki) is normally held in the morning at local city offices where politicians and academicians will give speeches reminding the new adults of their social responsibilities.

The young adults would often visit a shrine after the ceremony to make their wishes before started partying (with plenty of drinks I guess).

Ladies coming-of-age are often seen wearing furisode (a style of kimono) on the day, which makes it a special day for otaku photographers as well…

Kimono girls are photographers favourite on Seijin no Hi
Photographers’ paradise (Image courtesy of MyMapOfJapan)


Japanese girls in kimono to celebrate Seijin no Hi Japanese girls in kimono to celebrate Seijin no Hi
(Image courtesy of Arditpg and Papageno2236)
Japanese girls in kimono to celebrate Seijin no Hi
Peace peace… (Image courtesy of Akumach)
Japanese girls in furisode to celebrate Seijin no Hi Japanese girls in furisode to celebrate Seijin no Hi
Young adults in Kobe (Image courtesy of Japannavigator)

Bizarrely, one of the most popular places to celebrate the day is at Tokyo’s Disneyland…

Japanese girls celebrate Seijin no Hi in Tokyo Disneyland
Japanese celebrate adulthood in Tokyo Disneyland (Image courtesy of Xinhuanet)


January 16, 2008 | Topics Asia Picture Gallery, Glossary and Terminology, Japanese Fashion and Style, Japanese Girls, Japanese Traditions and Culture

Possibly Related Posts
Pepsi Ice Cucumber in Japan
Japanese companies slam YouTube
Santa cop is coming to town
H2OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO