Japan Holidays - 1996

This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day to celebrate the new year. New Year's Day marks the beginning of Japan's most important holiday season, the New Year season, which generally refers to the first one, three or seven days of the year.

This is the annual Japanese holiday. This holiday was first established in 15 January 1948. But from the year 2000 this holiday was celibrated on secound monday of January. It is held in order to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached the age of majority (20 years old).

Japan celebrate National Foundation Day annually on February 11. First emperor of Japan,"Jimmu", who established his capital in Yamato in 660 BC.In his memory,this day was celibrated. National Foundation Day become an official holiday in 1872.

This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things. Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called Shunki korei-sai.

This national holiday was established in 2007 as a day to reflect on the events of the Showa period. As the birthday of the Showa Emperor, April 29 was originally celebrated as a holiday during his lifetime. After the death of the emperor in 1989, the date continued to be a holiday under the new name "Greenery Day".

This national holiday was established in 1948, to commemorate the day on which Japan's postwar constitution took effect. Constitution Memorial Day falls during Golden Week.

Every year in Japan, 4 May was celibrated as the Greenery Day. It is a day to communet with nature and to be thankful for his blessings.

This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. It is on this day that the Japanese equivalent of the Dragon Boat Festival (Tango no sekku) is held.

This national holiday was established in 1995 (and first held in 1996) as a day of gratitude for the blessings of the oceans and for hoping for the prosperity of the maritime nation that is Japan.

This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day to respect the elderly and celebrate long life. Originally held on September 15, it originated as a renaming of Old Folks' Day (Rojin no hi). In 2003, it was changed to the third Monday of September in accordance with the Happy Monday System.

This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things. Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called Shunki korei-sai.

This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body. Originally held on October 10th to commemorate the anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of October in accordance with the Happy Monday System.

Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka no hi?) is a national holiday held annually in Japan on November 3 for the purpose of promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavour. Festivities typically include art exhibitions, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.

This national holiday was established in 1948 as an occasion for praising labor, celebrating production and giving one another thanks. Prior to the establishment of this holiday, November 23rd was celebrated as an imperial harvest festival called Niiname-sai .

The birthday of the reigning emperor has been a national holiday since 1868. Originally known as Tencho-setsu , it was renamed Tenno tanjobi in 1948. It is currently celebrated on December 23; Emperor Akihito was born on this day in 1933. (N.B.: Prior to the death of Emperor Hirohito in 1989, this holiday was celebrated on April 29. See "Showa Day".)