January Festivals
New Year: this is the biggest holiday in Japan and a major deal in Tokyo that usually sees work-addicted Japanese businesses and their employees take off at least one day, often three. Traditions here are numerous, from eating buckwheat noodles, to visiting the local temple and watching mega pop music extravaganzas on television. Coming of Age: celebrated on the second Monday of January, this holiday is held in honour of the young people that turn 20 the same year, an age in which Japanese change from teenagers to adults – meaning they are now permitted to smoke, drink and vote. This is a national holiday and a big deal in Tokyo with forthcoming 20-year-olds turning out in their smartest dress. March Festivals
White Day: just when Tokyo’s population of 17 million males thought it was safe, along comes 14 March, exactly a month after Valentine’s Day, when the men are expected to hand out presents to the women in their life. Spring Equinox Day: although this day marks the middle of spring, it’s a sombre affair in which families visit the graves of lost loved ones during the whole week either side of the day itself, which falls on 21 March. May Festivals
Constitution Day: is held in remembrance of the new Japan that emerged from the nuclear ashes of WWII. This national holiday falls in a sequence known as Golden Week in which there are three other holidays within a seven-day period: Showa Day (29 April), Greenery Day (4 May) and Children’s Day (5 May). Star Festival: also known as Tanabata, this holiday is held according to the old lunar calendar but in truth it takes place at different times across the country. Hiratsuka near Tokyo is home to the most famous Star Festival celebration in the country. During this holiday, wishes are hung on a special bamboo tree amid colourful decorations. December Festivals
Christmas: it’s not a national holiday, but Christmas is an increasingly popular festival in Tokyo with lots of Santas and fake snow doing the rounds. Expect a warm welcome if you’re Caucasian during the Christmas period as Japan’s love of everything Western shows no sign of abating. | 
