Japan Photo Blog: I wanna be 20 again!

In Japan, they have a special day to mark the transition of every individual into adulthood and they really do it in style. The special day is the Coming of Age Day in Japan, celebrating all individuals who turned 20 this year and it is a way to welcome them to adulthood and prepare them for an adult life with its responsibilities. It is an annual event and is celebrated on every second Monday in January.

Although it sounded serious, but it is actually quite the opposite. On this day, young ladies and men will dress up (fun), attend a ceremony at the local ward offices or at the Prefectural offices (serious), go to the temple to pray (maybe serious) and then, at night perhaps a little celebration at home or with friends (more fun).

For the young ladies, there is no doubt that half of the fun is to dress up in the pretty furisode and wear the zori sandals while the other half is being paparazzi-photographed by people.

Another special day that makes me want to go back in time is the San-Go-Shichi Day for children. On this day, any child who is 3, 5 and 7 years old will dress up and go to the temple to pray for good health. This occasion too always made me wish that I can go back to being a kid again ^^.

What a great way to celebrate you becoming an adult!

Doesn't it make you wish that you are 20 again so that you can dress up and join this ceremony?