Autumnal Equinox Day

Autumnal Equinox Day, known as “Shūbun-no-hi” in Japan, is a national holiday celebrated on September 22nd, 23rd, or 24th. This holiday holds cultural significance as it marks the changing of seasons and serves as a time to pay respects to ancestors. It is a day when families come together for reunions and engage in outdoor activities. One traditional food associated with this holiday is botamochi, a type of rice cake. The Autumnal Equinox Day also symbolizes the astronomical arrival of autumn. It became a public holiday in Japan in 1948 and was repackaged as a non-religious holiday to separate religion and state. It is a time for reflection, appreciation of nature, and honoring ancestral traditions.