Coming of Age Day is a national holiday in Japan, celebrated on the second Monday of January. It is a day to honor and encourage young people as they recognize they have become adults and begin stepping forward into their own lives. In Japan, the legal age of adulthood was lowered from 20 to 18 in April 2022. However, because age 18 often overlaps with major life milestones such as entrance exams and career preparation, many municipalities still hold coming-of-age ceremonies—often now called “Gatherings of Twenty-Year-Olds”—primarily for those turning 20.

I also remember hearing that Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan once offered special promotions during the coming-of-age season, including free invitations for new adults. Since I wasn’t eligible at the time, I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. It seems that coming-of-age celebrations were held at Disneyland and DisneySea again this year as well.

At these ceremonies, mayors and community leaders give congratulatory speeches, and in some areas, commemorative gifts or certificates are presented. The style of celebration varies widely by region. Some cities, such as Yokohama, hold large-scale ceremonies with thousands of participants, while smaller towns may include 18- and 19-year-olds depending on local circumstances. After the official event, it is common for families and friends to take photos together and go out for a celebratory meal.

There are also many unique local traditions. For example, at Kamogawa Sea World, participants may have the chance to take commemorative photos with sea lions. In Osaka, there is a memorable event called the “Harukas Walk: Coming-of-Age Ceremony at 300 meters,” where volunteer new adults climb 1,637 steps inside Abeno Harukas, one of Japan’s tallest skyscrapers.

One of the most beautiful parts of the coming-of-age ceremony is the formal attire. Many women wear elegant furisode kimono (most commonly the medium-length style) or dress suits, while men often choose suits or traditional montsuki hakama. The long sleeves of a furisode are said to carry meanings such as warding off misfortune and expressing gratitude to one’s family—an important tradition that continues to be cherished today. In Kitakyushu, highly personalized and bold styles have also become famous, attracting national attention each year.

Living in the United States for a long time, I rarely get to see young adults dressed in these beautiful outfits in everyday life, so it always makes me happy when I see it on the news.

To everyone who came of age in 2026, congratulations from the bottom of my heart. I sincerely wish you a bright future and continued success

Photos are sourced from online.

*Photos taken from online

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