AWL Travel WORLDWIDE

Annual Events...
	Below is a description of the main annual events in Japan.
	January
	January
	(1st - 3rd) Shogatsu - New Years celebration This is the most celebrated holiday in the Japanese calender. The majority of businesses will not be open and to many, it is time to be spent with the family. Second Monday Seijin no Hi - Coming of age This is the day when all people who have turned 20 years that year celebrate the start of their adulthood. This is also the age when they are able to vote, legally drink alcohol and smoke.
	February
	(3rd) Setsubun - Beginning of Spring (11th) Kenkoku Kinenbi - National Foundation Day According to ancient Japanese literature, this is the day that the very first Emperor of Japan was coronated (660BC). (14th) Valentine's Day Unlike in the UK, it is only the females who offer presents (usually chocolate).
	March
	(3rd) Hina Matsuri - Doll's Festival / Girls' Day This festival whereby dolls are placed all around the house is a way for mothers to wish their daughters good fortune in the future. (14th) White Day This day offers men the chance to reciprocate the good wishes of the women who offered them presents on Valentine's Day. (21st) Shunbun no Hi - Spring Equinox Day
	April
	(29th) Midori no Hi - Greenery Day The birthday of the former Emperor Showa. Thusly named due to his love of nature.
	May
	(3rd) Kenpo Kinenbi - Constitution Day A way to commemorate the adoption of a new constitution after the Second World War. (5th) Kodomo no Hi - Children's Day / Boys' Day To balance out the Girls' Day on 3rd March, this is an opportunity for parents to wish their sons a healthy and prosperous future. Colourful carp decorations are hung up and dolls in the form of Samurai are displayed.
	June
	Nothing
	July
	(13th - 15th) Obon - Lantern Festival A festival to remember ancestors. In other regions this is celebrated in August. (Third Monday) Umi no Hi - Ocean Day As the name suggests, it is a day to celebrate the ocean.
	August
	(13th - 15th) Obon - Lantern Festival A festival to remember ancestors. In other regions this is celebrated in July.
	September
	(Third Monday) Keiro no Hi - Respect for the Aged Day (23rd) Shunbun no Hi - Autumn Equinox Day
	October
	(Second Monday) Taiiku no Hii - Sports Day A way to remember the 1964 Olympic Games which were held in Tokyo.
	November
	(3rd) Bunka no Hi - Culture Day People who have made a significant contribution to Japanese culture are recognized by the government and schools. (23th) Kinro Kansha no Hi - Labou Thanksgiving Day
	December
	(23rd) Tenno no Tanjobi - Emperor's Birthday This day would of course change when the Emperor changes. (25th) Christmas Day s While Japan is mainly Buddhist and Shinto, they do still appreciate the novelty and commercial appeal of Christmas.
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