| August 13 to 16
| O-Bon
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| It is the Buddhist festival of the dead. During this time, sprits of the deceased return to their hometowns. City dwellers also return to their hometown's to visit their ancestors graveyards. People dress in cotton yukata robes, eat at open air stalls and perform bon odori dances.
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| September 23 or 24
| Autumnal Equinox Day
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| This is the day when Japanese clean their ancestors graves. Lots of shinto shrines have harvest festivals, and local shrines have children parade mikoshi (portable shrines) around the neighbor hood
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| October and November
| Autumn Foliage Viewing
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| This is taken as a cult status like the cherry blossom viewing. Famous viewing sites like Nikko and Kyoto become incredibly crowded
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| November 15
| Shichi-go-san (7-5-3)
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| One of the most photogentic events of the year. Girls age seven and three and boys age five go to a shrine and pray for good health. These use to be considered dangerous years for children. Most of the girls wear fancy kimonos and some boys wear traditional hakama outfits.
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| December 25
| Christmas
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| Japan is not a Christain country, in fact less than 1% of the population is Christain. As soon as the Halloween decorations are put away, Christmas appear. Christmas cakes with white frosting are eaten on x-mas day. Christmas eve is the biggest date night.
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| End of the year
| End of the Year Preparations
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| This time of the year is so busy it is called shiwasu, "even the master runs," because everyone must finish all of the chores. Houses must be cleaned, all debts must be settled, etc.... so one can start the new year with a clean slate. Japanese give end of the year presents called oseibo to anyone for whom they feel obligation such as doctors, companies, and individuals. Companies hold Bonenkai "lets forget the bad luck in the year" parties. On New Year's Eve, Japanese eat soba noodles-the length of the noodles suggests longevity.
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| back....
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