What is Coming-of-Age Day in Japan? Fashion including furisode and unique ceremonies across the country

Coming-of-Age Day is a holiday established in Japan to celebrate young people turning 20 and encourage their awareness as adults. Every January, municipalities across the nation hold ceremonies, and new adults share this milestone with family and friends. Women typically choose to wear vibrant kimonos with long sleeves called “furisode,” while men generally wear suits or hakama. In some regions, styles emphasizing individuality are also becoming common.

This article provides clear explanations of the history of Coming-of-Age Day, events held on the day, attire, and regionally unique coming-of-age ceremonies.

【祝！成人の日】
新しい門出を迎えられる皆さま
ご成人おめでとうございます！#成人式 では、 #新成人 の飛躍を願い設置した「 #うさぎ七福神 」との記念撮影を行いました。 #振袖 と輝く笑顔がとても素敵ですね。

皆さまのご活躍をお祈りしています!#成人の日#うさぎ#七福神#練馬区 pic.twitter.com/L9UidBl0Fs

— 東京都練馬区 (@nerima_tokyo) January 9, 2023

Coming-of-Age Day is one of Japan’s national holidays, a day to celebrate and encourage new adults as members of society. According to the Public Holiday Law, its purpose is to “celebrate and encourage young people who have become aware of adulthood and are determined to live independently.” It is designated as the second Monday of January each year, and coming-of-age ceremonies are held in many municipalities.

Becoming an adult is a milestone where rights such as voting and entering into contracts expand, while social responsibilities also increase. It is an opportunity not only for the individuals themselves but also for families and local community members to celebrate their growth, express gratitude for past support, and renew their resolve to participate in society going forward.

The history of Coming-of-Age Day also reflects changes in Japanese society and views of young people. Originating from the Chinese rite of passage “kanrei,” it developed in Japan as “genpuku” for boys and “mogi” for girls. In genpuku, hairstyle, clothing, and name were changed to those of adults, while in mogi, girls were recognized as full adults by wearing a garment called “mo” and styling their hair up. Among common people, there were also regional rites of passage, such as “becoming an adult when one could carry a rice bale alone.”

The prototype of the modern coming-of-age ceremony is considered to be the “Youth Festival” held in Warabi Town, Saitama Prefecture in 1946, after which January 15 was designated as “Coming-of-Age Day” in 1949. Since 2000, through the Happy Monday System, it shifted to the second Monday of January, and ceremonies celebrating new adults continue to be held in many municipalities today.

On Coming-of-Age Day, various ceremonies and events are held, centered around “coming-of-age ceremonies” hosted by each municipality.In most cities, wards, towns, and villages, new adults gather in halls or gymnasiums, where congratulatory speeches from mayors and guests, presentation of commemorative gifts, and messages from senior generations take place. Participants generally attend in formal attire—women in furisode or dresses, and men in suits or hakama.

Additionally, before and after the ceremonies, class reunions are held at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels, providing opportunities to enjoy reunions with old friends and former teachers. In recent years, an increasing number of municipalities have incorporated online streaming and distributed ceremonies, expanding efforts to celebrate new adults while being mindful of infection prevention measures.

【千代田区 二十歳のつどい】
本日（令和6年1月8日（月））、ホテルニューオータニで二十歳のつどいを開催しました。晴れ着を身にまとった363名が参加し、皆さん旧友との再会を喜んでいました。本日の写真は広報千代田2月5日号に掲載を予定しております。#千代田区 pic.twitter.com/x8oZsJ2ab8

— 千代田区 (@chiyoda_city) January 8, 2024

On Coming-of-Age Day, attire suitable for this celebratory occasion is one of the major highlights. Options range from traditional Japanese clothing to suits and dresses. Here, we introduce the styles worn by new adults at coming-of-age ceremonies, for both women and men.

For women on Coming-of-Age Day, furisode remains the mainstream choice.Furisode is a traditional Japanese kimono designed with long, large sleeves, a highly formal Japanese garment worn by unmarried women as formal dress. Nationwide, it is said that the majority of female new adults choose furisode, and it holds special meaning as the most formal attire for unmarried women. Attending this milestone in adulthood in vibrant Japanese clothing also becomes an opportunity to express gratitude to family and those around them.

On the other hand, many people choose Western clothing such as suits and dresses, considering ease of movement and cost. Cases of choosing dress styles that photograph well or distinctive coordination such as hakama and pants styles are also increasing. It is recommended to consider attire that you will be satisfied with even when looking back years later, taking into account the weather on the day, travel time, and plans for after-parties and class reunions.

Men’s attire on Coming-of-Age Day centers on suits or hakama. Currently, many participate in business suits or recruit suits that are easy to move in and prepare, and it is common to create a formal appearance with subdued colors such as dark navy or charcoal gray, combined with a shirt and tie.

On the other hand, hakama is also popular for those who want to preserve their formal appearance in Japanese clothing. Hakama involves wearing a tubular or skirt-like garment from the waist to the ankles over a kimono, and when combined with a haori to create “mon-tsuki haori hakama,” it becomes men’s most formal attire. Recently, many people are incorporating colored hakama and distinctive patterns, showing a trend of celebrating the gateway to adulthood in a style that expresses their individuality.

令和3年度浦安市成人式（令和4年1月10日）｜浦安市公式サイト

1月10日、東京ディズニーシー（R）ブロードウェイ・ミュージックシアターで、令和3年度浦安市成人式を開催しました。
新成人のみなさん、おめでとうございます🌸✨#urayasu #浦安市 #成人式https://t.co/VqLSad7LT9 pic.twitter.com/fj1MzeIDlr

— 千葉県浦安市 (@urayasu_koho) January 10, 2022

Across Japan, distinctive coming-of-age ceremonies that utilize regional characteristics are also held. There are unique venues such as theme parks, aquariums, and airports, as well as initiatives held at different times of the year. Here, we introduce examples of fascinating coming-of-age ceremonies that make you want to participate.

Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture is known for holding coming-of-age ceremonies at Tokyo Disneyland. New adults gather at venues such as ShowBase inside the park and participate in ceremonies surrounded by Disney music and visual presentations. A major attraction is the appearance of characters such as Mickey Mouse, who celebrate with dances and greetings.

Because the mayor’s speech and commemorative photos take place at a location that people usually visit as guests, this ceremony attracts international attention as a “gateway to adulthood in the dream kingdom” that creates lasting memories. Since participants can also experience the atmosphere of attractions and parades, it can be called a unique event where traditional Japanese holiday culture and theme park culture can be experienced at once.

In Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture, the coming-of-age ceremony (currently called “Gathering of Twenty-Year-Olds”) held at the aquarium Kamogawa Sea World has become a local specialty.The venue is a stadium where sea lion shows are held, where new adults gather in colorful formal kimonos and suits and participate in ceremonies surrounded by marine animals.

Among these, what is particularly popular is commemorative photography with Kamogawa Sea World’s animals, held to celebrate the new adults. Through aquarium-specific presentations, this can be called a globally rare and unique coming-of-age ceremony that celebrates the gateway to adulthood for young people raised in a “sea town.”

Narita City, Chiba Prefecture holds a very unique coming-of-age ceremony at Narita International Airport, an international hub. New adults in furisode and suits gather in the spacious departure lobby, and ceremonies proceed with the backdrop of aircraft takeoffs and landings—a scene rarely found elsewhere. Greetings from airport operating staff and commemorative photos are also held, with some participants expressing dreams such as “I want to work at this airport someday” and “I want to spread my wings to the world.”

This can be called an internationally rich coming-of-age ceremony where overseas travelers and foreigners can directly observe new adults and feel Japan’s culture and celebratory atmosphere up close. Such initiatives also convey the strong connection between the region and the airport.

Some municipalities in Niigata Prefecture have a unique initiative of holding coming-of-age ceremonies during Golden Week or Obon holidays instead of January, when heavy snow is common. For example, in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, new adults gather at Aore Nagaoka, a complex facility in front of the station, and receive greetings from guests including the mayor.

Because it is a time when young people who have left the prefecture for university or work can easily return home, another characteristic is that friends and classmates can gather together more easily. While many regions in Japan hold ceremonies in January, as a unique approach from a snowy region, this special coming-of-age ceremony allows participants to leisurely enjoy photo-taking and class reunions in the mild weather of spring or summer, and can be called an event where one can feel the diversity of Japanese culture.

Coming-of-Age Day is a Japanese holiday that celebrates and encourages new adults as members of society, with coming-of-age ceremonies held across the country on the second Monday of January each year. Participants attend ceremonies in formal attire such as furisode, suits, and hakama, renewing their awareness as adults and feelings of gratitude. It is positioned as a milestone where rights such as voting and contracts expand, while social responsibilities also increase.

Originating from the postwar “Youth Festival” and spreading nationwide, in recent years unique coming-of-age ceremonies that utilize regional characteristics have been increasing, such as special venues like Tokyo Disneyland, aquariums, and airports, as well as Golden Week ceremonies in snowy regions. It has also become a valuable opportunity for classmates who have returned to their hometowns to reunite and discuss future dreams and goals.

*This article was created based on information as of December 2025.