Seijin Shiki — Japan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony
Furisode kimono, hometown reunions, and a single Monday in January when Japan's 20-year-olds are formally welcomed into adulthood.
On the second Monday of January, Japan holds 成人の日 (Seijin no Hi, Coming-of-Age Day), a national holiday honoring everyone who turned (or is turning) 20 that year. Local governments hold formal ceremonies (成人式, seijin-shiki), and the day has become as much a fashion and reunion event as a civic milestone.
Coming-of-age vocabulary
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 成人の日 | せいじんのひ seijinnohi | Coming-of-Age Day, a national holiday |
| 成人式 | せいじんしき seijinshiki | the formal coming-of-age ceremony itself |
| 振袖 | ふりそで furisode | the long-sleeved, elaborately patterned kimono worn by young women at the ceremony |
| はたち | はたち hatachi | “20 years old,” the age this ceremony celebrates |
A once-in-a-lifetime outfit
For many young women, seijin-shiki is the only time in their life they'll wear 振袖 (furisode) — the most formal, youthful style of kimono, with sleeves that can reach almost to the floor. Because dressing in one requires help and the outfits are expensive, families often rent them, and hair salons book out fully months in advance for the elaborate hairstyling that goes with it.
The ceremony itself
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 式典 | しきてん shikiten | a formal ceremony |
| 祝辞 | しゅくじ shukuji | a congratulatory address (given by a mayor or official) |
| 同窓会 | どうそうかい dousoukai | a reunion of former classmates, which seijin-shiki often doubles as |
| 晴れ着 | はれぎ haregi | formal “special occasion” clothing in general |
More reunion than ritual, for many attendees
For many attendees, the real draw of seijin-shiki isn't the speeches — it's seeing old elementary and junior high classmates again, often for the first time in years, since ceremonies are typically organized by hometown rather than current residence. It's common for groups of old friends to take photos together in the snow outside the ceremony hall before heading off to their own reunion parties. For another major turning-point tradition, see New Year customs, which falls just days earlier on the calendar.
🔊 Tap any word in the vocabulary tables to hear it spoken.
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