Japan Coming of Age Day Guide
What Is Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day)?
Coming of Age Day (成人の日, Seijin no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday held on the second Monday of January each year. It celebrates young people who have reached or will reach adulthood — originally age 20, but since April 2022 Japan lowered the legal age of adulthood to 18, while the ceremony age remains 20 (or transitioning to 20 in some municipalities). The holiday was established in 1948 to encourage newly recognized adults to be aware of their independence and to stimulate ambition. Municipal governments organize formal ceremonies called Seijin-shiki (成人式) where young adults gather at community halls, sports arenas, or cultural centers to hear speeches from local officials and mark the occasion. In 2023 approximately 1.2 million people attended ceremonies nationwide. The date in 2025 falls on January 13, and in 2026 on January 12. If you're traveling Japan in January, you have a real chance to spot hundreds of young adults dressed in their finest traditional attire heading to and from these events.
The Furisode Kimono and Traditional Dress
The most visually stunning aspect of Coming of Age Day is the attire. Young women almost universally wear furisode (振袖) — a formal long-sleeved kimono characterized by sleeves that hang down 100–115 cm, often in vibrant colors like deep red, navy, green, or pastel pink. A furisode outfit includes the kimono itself, a coordinating obi belt tied in an elaborate taiko or butterfly knot, zori sandals, and a fur-trimmed stole. The full ensemble can cost ¥100,000–¥500,000 to purchase or around ¥30,000–¥80,000 to rent including hair styling and dressing assistance. Young men have more varied fashion choices. Traditional hakama (wide-legged trousers) over a haori jacket remains popular, but Western-style suits — often in dark navy or black — are increasingly common. In recent years some young men wear bold colors or unconventional suits as a personal statement. Hair salons across Japan are booked months in advance for Coming of Age Day morning. Young women have elaborate updos pinned with kanzashi (hair ornaments), and the transformation from casual to fully dressed can take two to three hours at a salon. Photography studios also offer package shoots for the occasion, similar to Western prom photography.
Best Places to See Seijin no Hi Celebrations
Tokyo offers some of the most spectacular Coming of Age Day scenes. Disneyland and DisneySea in Urayasu (Chiba Prefecture) hosts themed Seijin-shiki for the second year running; attendees wear furisode or hakama to the park and receive special merchandise. Tickets are allocated by lottery and sell out fast, but simply being near the Disney resort area on the day means encountering hundreds of furisode-clad guests. In central Tokyo, Meiji Jingu Gaien (outer gardens) and the areas around Tokyo Tatemono-mae station on the day of the ceremony are excellent viewing spots, as are the plazas around major municipal halls in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Sumida. Harajuku's Takeshita Street and Omotesando see large numbers of young adults photographing each other. Outside Tokyo, Yokohama's Pacifico convention center hosts one of the largest single ceremonies with thousands of attendees. Kyoto ceremonies at the Miyako Messe convention center draw participants who then visit Fushimi Inari or Gion for photos, creating a striking contrast of brilliant furisode against ancient vermilion torii or stone-paved streets. In Naha, Okinawa, a small number of participants wear bingata (traditional Ryukyuan dyed fabric) kimonos, a unique regional variation.
Traveler Tips for Coming of Age Day
If you plan to be in Japan during the second week of January, Coming of Age Day is worth building your itinerary around. Arrive near ceremony venues (typically 9:00–11:00 AM) to see participants in their finest dress. The ceremonies themselves are closed to the general public, but the plazas and streets outside are open and alive with color. Photography etiquette matters: most young adults are happy to be photographed and many will pose, but always ask permission first (a smile and "Shashin o tottemo ii desu ka?" — "May I take a photo?" — goes a long way). Do not grab clothing or accessories. Be aware that transportation can be crowded, especially on trains near ceremony venues. Buses and trains in areas hosting large events may run extra services. Plan to travel early. Restaurants and izakayas near ceremony halls do brisk business in the evening as families celebrate together. Reservations are advisable. Many families also have professional portraits taken at photo studios in the weeks surrounding Seijin no Hi, so studios in city centers will be busy. If you want to wear a furisode yourself, several kimono rental shops in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka offer Coming of Age Day packages in January. Book at least two months in advance for the most popular styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Coming of Age Day in Japan?
Traditionally the ceremony celebrates those turning 20. While Japan lowered the civil adulthood age to 18 in 2022, most municipalities still hold Seijin-shiki for those who are 20 or turning 20 that year, though some areas are transitioning to 18.
When is Coming of Age Day 2025 and 2026?
Coming of Age Day is the second Monday of January. In 2025 it falls on January 13; in 2026 on January 12.
Can tourists attend the Seijin-shiki ceremony?
The official ceremony is for participants only and is not open to the public. However, the outdoor plazas before and after the ceremony are public spaces, and you can freely observe and photograph participants in their furisode and hakama.
How much does a furisode kimono cost to rent?
Furisode rental including the obi, accessories, dressing assistance, and hair styling typically costs ¥30,000–¥80,000 for the day. Purchase prices for a new furisode set range from ¥100,000 to over ¥500,000.