| March 14
| White Day
|
| This dates back to the 1980s. Men are suppose to give white chocolate to women as repayment for Valentine's chocolate.
|
| March 20 or 21
| Vernal Equinox Day
|
| On the first day of spring, like the first day of autumn, Japanese clean the graves of their ancestors.
|
| Late March through mid-April
| Ohanami, Cherry Blossom Viewing
|
| Cherry blossoms are an intrakit part of Japanese society that the weather forecast reports on cherry blossoms and estimates peak viewing times. Cherry blossom viewing goes back hundred of years. It is common for most people eat under the cherry blossom trees.
|
| April 1
| Beginning of School Year
|
| There's a summer break mid-July through September 1, and a two week break at the end of March.
|
| April 29-May 5
| Golden Week
|
| During this week four national holidays occur. It is terrible to travel anywhere in Japan because everything is jammed. It is a perfect time to visit big cities because they are like ghost towns.
|
| May 5
| Children's Day
|
| This holiday use to be called boy's day, but after WWII was changed to Children's Day in the spirit of equality. It's mainly families with sons who fly koinobori, large crap streamers.
|
| June and early July
| O-chugen Gift Giving Season
|
Gifts are exchanged
| July
| Summer Fireworks (hanabi)
| | displpays have been held since the Edo period as psychological relief from summer's oppressive heat and humidity.
| | back.... | more....
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