春の風物詩（haru no fuubutsushi) 1 Special Attractions of Spring

ひな祭り（ひなまつり、hina-matsuri)

Hina-matsuri is the Doll Festival or Girls' Festival observed on March 3. Dolls dressed in beautiful Heian-era costumes and representing the Emperor, Empress, and their court are displayed to celebrate the growth of the family's girls and to express their hopes that they will become as graceful and beautiful as the Heian nobility.

冬の風物詩（fuyu no fuubutsushi) 5 Special Attractions of Winter

雪祭り　(ゆきまつり、yuki-matsuri)

Yuki-matsuri is the Snow Festival held in Sapporo in February. It features elaborately sculptured snow statues constructed along the main streets.

冬の風物詩（fuyu no fuubutsushi) 4 Special Attractions of Winter

節分（せつぶん、Setsubun)


Setsubun is the day before the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar, usually February 2 or 3. Bean throwing ceremonies are held in homes, shrines, and temples in the belief that this will bring in good fortune and drive away evil spirits.

日本の祝日 (nihon no shuku jitsu) 3 --- National Holidays of Japan

成人の日（せいじんの, Seijin no hi）　Coming-of-Age Day


Seijin-no-hi, or Coming-of-Age Day, is celebrated on the second Monday of January.

This day is dedicated to the nation's young people who have reached the legal age of twenty which is and important juncture when one is granted full rights as a citizen, beginning with the right to vote. Drinking and smoking are also permitted from this age.

日本の祝日 (nihon no shuku jitsu) 2--- National Holidays of Japan

正月（しょうがつ、Ｓｈｏｇａｔｓｕ）　New Year


Shogatsu is generally celebrated for the first three days or the first week of January and is the most important period for the Japanese, comparable to Christmas in Western countries. School and businesses close for one to two weeks after about Dec. 29, and many people who live away from their families return home to spend this time with their families. On New Year's Day, people go for the first temple or shrine visit of the New Year and pray for health and happiness in the new year.

冬の風物詩（fuyu no fuubutsushi) 3 Special Attractions of Winter

大晦日（おおみそか、oomisoka)


The last day of the year, Dec. 31st is called “Omisoka.” To welcome the new year with good feelings, a general house-cleaning is completed, and New Year dishes (Osechi-ryori) are cooked.

At about midnight, the bells speeding the old year (Joya no Kane) begin to be rung at temples all around the country. While listening to the sound of the bells, people eat year-crossing noodles (Toshikoshi-soba), wishing for health in the coming year and long life.

冬の風物詩（fuyu no fuubutsushi) 2 Special Attractions of Winter

忘年会（ぼうねんかい、boonenkai)


Bonenkai literally means “Forget-the-Year Party.” It is a year-end party to forget the unpleasant memories of the passing year and to welcome the new year with a fresh mind.

It is usually held among office colleagues or friends. In addition, just after the new year, a party called the New Year Party takes place.