Highlighting Japanese Holidays

HIGHLIGHTING JAFANESE HOLIDAYS JANUARY 1: SHÖGATSU New Year holiday Most important national holiday Businesses close until January 3 2ND MONDAY IN JANUARY: SEIJIN NO HI Coming of Age Celebrates all people who will turn 20 20 is considered the start of adulthood FEBRUARY 2: SETSUBUN Beginning of Spring Not a national holiday Celebrated in shrines and temples FEBRUARY 11: KENKOKU KINENBI National Foundation Day Marks 660 BC crowning of Japan's Ist emperor MARCH 3: HINAMATSURI Girls' Day Holiday to pray for happiness and healthy growth of daughters Dolls are dressed up and displayed inside homes AROUND MARCH 20: SHUNBUN NO HI Spring equinox week Ancestors' graves are visited *** APRIL 29 – MAY 5: GOLDEN WEEK April 29: Showa Day - Honors Emperor Showa's birthday May 3: Constitution Day - Celebrates post-WWII constitution May 4: Greenery Day - Remembers Showa's love of nature May 5: Children's Day - Sometimes called Boys' Day JULY 13 – 15: OBON Not a national holiday Celebration and remembrance of lost loved ones 3RD MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER: KEIRÕ NO HI Respect for the Aged Day Honors longevity of seniors NOVEMBER 23: KINRO KANSHA NO HI Labor Thanksgiving Day Celebration of workers DECEMBER 24 AND 25: CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY Not a national holiday Celebration is becoming increasingly popular PROVIDED BY: HGENJI Japanese Steak Hause Cacktalla WwW.HOUSEOFGENJISANJOSE.NET Sources: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html http://holidaygirl.hubpages.com/hub/List-of-Japanese-Holidays-and-Celebrations http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/calendar/march/hinamatsuri.html