What is 成人の日 ?

成人の日 (Seijin no Hi), or “Coming of Age Day,” is a Japanese national holiday celebrated annually on the second Monday of January. It honors and congratulates young people who have reached the age of 20, marking their transition to adulthood in Japanese society.

Why is 20 an important age in Japan ?

The age of 20 has traditionally held great significance in Japan because it marks the formal transition to adulthood. This milestone is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history, with both legal and symbolic implications. Indeed, 20 years old was the legal age of adulthood in Japan, granting all new rights in relation to adult status such as voting. In Japanese society, 20 symbolizes a level of maturity where individuals are expected to contribute more actively to the community and take full responsibility for their actions. Reaching 20 often coincides with significant life transitions, such as starting higher education, joining the workforce, or leaving the family home. In 2022, the legal age of adulthood was lowered to 18, but Seijin no Hi celebration still focus on those turning 20. Even though the legal age was lowered to 18, there are still some activities and rights that remain restricted until the age of 20 in Japan. This includes drinking alcohol, smoking and gambling.

Origin of 成人の日

Historically, Japanese society has celebrated rites of passage that mark significant life stages. In the past, boys and girls underwent separate coming-of-age ceremonies at different ages, but during the modern era, 20 became the standardized age for this transition.

Back to the Heian Period (794–1185), coming-of-age rituals were already held to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. These ceremonies were known as genpuku (元服) for boys and mogi (裳着) for girls. For genpuku, boys, usually between 12 and 16, donned adult clothing and hairstyles and were introduced to society as adults. For girls, during mogi,  they participated in similar ceremonies, often involving the wearing of special garments to signify maturity. These events were significant in samurai and aristocratic families and marked the individual’s readiness to assume societal and familial responsibilities.

After World War II, Japan underwent significant social and cultural reforms. During this period, the idea of a formal celebration to honor young adults and encourage them to contribute to society emerged. The first modern Seijin-shiki (Coming of Age Ceremony) was held in 1946 in Warabi City, Saitama Prefecture. It was called Seinen-sai (青年祭) or “Youth Festival” and was designed to uplift the spirits of young people after the war.

In 1948, the Japanese government officially established 成人の日 as a national holiday, to be celebrated on January 15th each year. The holiday’s purpose was to honor young people reaching the age of 20 and to encourage them to become responsible members of society.

成人の日 celebrations and rituals

Local governments organize Seijin-shiki (成人式) ceremonies, typically held in municipal or cultural centers. Officials deliver speeches encouraging the new adults to take on responsibilities and participate in society actively. Participants often receive small commemorative gifts from the local government.

Many young women wear furisode (振袖), a type of formal long-sleeved kimono, often brightly colored and elaborately patterned. Young men might wear traditional hakama (袴) with a kimono or formal Western-style suits.

After the ceremonies, participants often gather with friends and family for meals, photos, and parties. The day symbolizes newfound responsibilities, independence, and aspirations for the future.

成人の日 today

In 2000, 成人の日 was moved to the second Monday of January as part of the “Happy Monday System,” which aimed to create more three-day weekends and improve work-life balance. With societal shifts, there has been some debate about how Seijin no Hi should evolve, especially with the legal age change to 18. However, many communities still honor those turning 20 to maintain the holiday’s traditional significance. 成人の日 serves as a bridge between Japan’s historical coming-of-age practices and its modern recognition of young people’s roles in society.