Coming of Age Day in January: Furisode and City Hall Ceremonies

Updated October 24, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

In the middle of winter, you may see young people in elegant kimono and sharp suits walking through Japanese streets on their way to a ceremony. This is Coming of Age Day, a holiday that honors people who have reached adulthood. If you are traveling in January, understanding what the day is can help you appreciate the scene, and it can help you plan around crowds. Details come from Wikipedia, and local practices vary, so check municipal announcements for specifics.

What the Day Is

Wikipedia states that Coming of Age Day is held annually on the second Monday of January under the Happy Monday System. That means the date changes from year to year, and it forms part of a long weekend. If you are planning a trip, look at a calendar for the specific year.

The Age of Adulthood

The article notes that Japan lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18, effective 2022. It also explains that some municipalities continue to set the age eligible for participating in the ceremony at 20, while others have lowered it to 18. This means the group at a ceremony can differ by city. If you are curious, you can check the local government's website or ask at a tourist information office.

Clothing and Ceremonies

According to Wikipedia, many women wear furisode, a long-sleeved kimono, and zori, traditional sandals. The ceremonies are generally held in the morning at local city offices, organized by municipalities. The article does not say how many people attend or give details about each ceremony, so we will keep to those basics.

What You Might See as a Visitor

If you are near a city office or a station in the morning, you might see groups in formal clothing. It is a joyful occasion for many families. As a visitor, you can enjoy it respectfully.

Keep a polite distance, and do not block paths.
Ask before photographing people. A smile and a gesture is often enough, and if someone declines, accept it.
Avoid touching clothing.
Do not follow groups into venues, since ceremonies are for participants and invited guests.
Be mindful that people may be nervous, busy, or in a hurry to arrive on time.

Planning Around the Holiday

A Monday holiday can affect schedules. Public offices and some businesses may be closed. Transportation may be busier in some areas. Museums and attractions may have different hours, so check ahead. Because the holiday follows the New Year period, when most Japanese have time off from December 29 to January 3, according to Wikipedia's article on hatsumode, some travelers find that January in Japan is a mix of quiet days and busy ones.

Winter Comfort

January can be cold. Dress in layers, protect your hands and ears, and drink warm beverages. If you plan to be outdoors for long, consider hand warmers. The Climate of Tokyo article on Wikipedia reports that January is the coolest month, averaging 5.4 degrees Celsius, or 41.7 degrees Fahrenheit, and that snowfall in Tokyo is sporadic and occurs almost annually. Check the forecast for your destination, because conditions differ across Japan.

A Day of Transitions

The day marks a transition, so it can be a good prompt for reflection. If you are traveling with young adults, ask what they hope to do in the coming year. If you are a young adult yourself, consider writing a letter to your future self. These ideas are suggestions rather than part of the holiday as described on Wikipedia.

Connections to Other Traditions

January also includes hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. Some families combine visits and ceremonies. You may see shrines busy with visitors in kimono and formal clothes. Be patient, and give people space for photographs.

Family Traditions and Photographs

Families often mark the day with photographs, and you may see groups posing outside venues or in front of local landmarks. If you are traveling, resist the urge to step into someone's family portrait. If a family invites you to take a photo for them, it is a kind gesture to accept. A short, friendly exchange can be a lovely memory of the trip without disturbing anyone's special day.

A Note on Timing

Because the holiday falls on a Monday, the weekend before it can be busy with travel and events. Check train and hotel availability early, confirm opening hours for any attraction you want to visit, and keep a short list of indoor alternatives in case of cold or wet weather. Carry a small snack and water, and leave extra time to get between places on a holiday weekend, since delays are easy to run into when many people are traveling.

How the Age Changed

Wikipedia reports that the age of maturity in Japan was lowered from 20 to 18 on June 13, 2018, the first change since the age was established, and that the new law took effect in 2022. The page also says that some municipalities still set the eligible age for the ceremony at 20 after the 2022 change, so practice varies. That is a good reminder that a national law and a local ceremony are not always the same thing.

A Long Lineage

According to the article, coming-of-age ceremonies have been celebrated in Japan since at least 714 CE, during the reign of Empress Genmei. The page says the genpuku ceremony dates to the Nara period, from 710 to 794, and that today's ceremony traces its roots to a Youth Festival held in Warabi Town, Saitama Prefecture, on November 22, 1946. It also notes that Nagoya and Morotsuka Village claim to be the birthplace of the ceremony, so the Warabi origin is not the only claim. Presenting the history this way, with the uncertainty included, is more honest than choosing one neat story.

From a Fixed Date to a Monday

The article says a 1948 law set the holiday for January 15, and that a 1998 revision moved it to the second Monday of January starting in 2000 under the Happy Monday System. It adds that each municipality organizes its own ceremony independently, so some hold it on days other than Coming of Age Day. If you hope to see ceremony-goers, check the local city's announcements for dates and venues, and do not assume everything happens on the holiday itself.

Numbers and Venues

The page says attendance fell to 1.22 million in 2012, under half of the 2.76 million who attended at the 1976 peak. It also notes that Tokyo Disneyland has held a ceremony since 2002. These details show that the event has changed with the times. If you see groups in formal clothing, remember that they are celebrating a personal milestone, not performing for tourists.

Being a Considerate Observer

If you encounter groups of young people in formal clothing, you can enjoy the scene from a distance. Ask before taking photographs of individuals or families, and be ready to accept a no. Avoid blocking entrances, stairs, or photo spots, since people may be waiting for their turn. Winter weather can be cold, so dress warmly and be patient in queues at train stations. Treat the day as a celebration that belongs to the families and communities taking part.

Questions People Ask

When is Coming of Age Day? The second Monday of January.

Who takes part? People reaching adulthood. The article notes that municipalities set their own eligible age for the ceremony, either 18 or 20.

When did the age of adulthood change? Effective 2022, from 20 to 18.

What do women wear? Many wear furisode and zori, according to the article.

Where are ceremonies held? Generally in the morning at local city offices, organized by municipalities.

Can visitors attend? Ceremonies are for participants and invited guests. Look for public events elsewhere.

Looking Forward Together

A holiday for young adults is also a holiday for the community that surrounds them. It is a day to say that the future matters. If you happen to see a group in their best clothes, a quiet smile of encouragement is a lovely thing.

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