酉の市 – Tori no Ichi
The “tori” or rooster is one of the 12 signs of the oriental zodiac. Each November you can purchase a special rake …
お月見 – Otsukimi
Otsukimi is a traditional event or festival held in Japan on the 15th of August by the old lunar calendar, which happens …
灯篭流し – Tōrō Nagashi
Tōrō Nagashi is a part of Obon ceremony in Japan. People release floating lanterns into a river or lake to send the spirits …
山の日 – Mountain Day
Mountain Day is a new national holiday of Japan that starts this year for the first time! The date is the 11th …
父の日 – Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day! Yes, we celebrate Father’s Day in Japan. We say “otōsan, arigatō (お父さん、ありがとう)” that means “thank you, dad”. So, お父さん、ありがとう to …
母の日 – Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day! In Japan we say “Thank you, mom (お母さん、ありがとう)” instead of “happy mother’s day”.
子どもの日 – Children’s Day
May 5th is an official holiday in Japan called Children’s Day or Kodomo No Hi (こどもの日). Often we raise carp-figure flags (こいのぼり …
ひな祭り – Hina-Matsuri
March 3rd is Hina-matsuri (English translation “Dolls’ Festival, Girls’ Day, or Dolls’ Day.”) It is not an official holiday, but a traditional …
成人の日 – Coming of Age Day
Young people in Japan are considered to be adults when they reach 20, not 21. “Seijin no Hi” or “Coming of Age …
雛祭り – Hina-Matsuri
March 3rd is Hina-matsuri (English translation “Dolls’ Festival, Girls’ Day, or Dolls’ Day.”) It is not an official holiday, but a …