It’s a day for congratulating those who have reached 20 years of age. Each local government holds a congratulatory ceremony for them on this day. Women wear gorgeous kimono called furisode on this ceremony.
2月12日：建国記念の日
紀元前660年に初代の天皇が即位し、国家の誕生をみたことを記念する日です。
National Foundation Day
It’s a day for commemorating the foundation of the nation marked by the accession to the throne of the first emperor in the year 660 B.C.
It’s a day to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor. On this day he receives the congratulations of the nation with his family at the Imperial Place.
It is a day when the length of day and night is almost the same. people honor their ancestors, recalling the deceased, and visit family graves on or around this day.
It is a day for reflecting on the events of the Showa period under the reign of Emperor Hirohito (Emperor Showa). This holiday was originally celebrated as the Emperor’s Birthday during his lifetime.
It is a day for commemorating the promulgation of the present constitution. The Constitution came into force on this day in 1947 as one of the postwar reforms by the Allies.
5月4日：みどりの日
以前は昭和天皇の誕生日として祝われました。現在は自然を愛した昭和天皇を記念する日となっています。
Greenery Day
It is a day formerly celebrated as Emperor Hirohito’s Birthday. This day is now set aside in remembrance of the late emperor’s love of nature.
It is a day traditionally the Boy’s Festival, as compared with the Festival of Dolls for girls on March 3. Wishes for the healthy growth of boys are represented on this day by setting out warrior figures in houses and hoisting carp-shaped streamers on poles.
It is a day for expressing gratitude for the bounty of the sea, honoring its importance and praying for the prosperity of Japan as a maritime nation. Prior to it becoming a national holiday, this day had been known as “Marine Memorial Day” since 1941.
8月12日：山の日
山に親しむ機会を得て、山の恩恵に感謝するための日です。2016年から施行されました。
Mountain Day
It is a day intended to give opportunities to get familiar with mountains and appreciate blessings from mountains. It was celebrated from August 11 2016.
It is a day when the length of day and night is almost the same. people honor their ancestors, recalling the deceased, and visit family graves on or around this day.
It is a day for promoting culture. People of cultural merit are awarded medals at the Imperial Palace. Many cultural events are held throughout the nation on or around this day. Formerly is was a national holiday called “Meiji-setsu” commemorating the birthday of Emperor Meiji who was born on November 3, 1852.
11月23日：勤労感謝の日
勤労を尊び生産の恵みを祝い、国民が互いに感謝する日です。
Labor Thanksgiving Day
It is a day for expressing gratitude for the benefits of labor and production.
振替休日
国民の祝日が日曜日に重なった場合、連休にするために翌日が振替休日になります。
substitute holiday
If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following day substitutes for it to make a long weekend.
