Vernal Equinox Day

I notice there seems to be an error in the date provided (July 28, 2025), as Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日, Shunbun no Hi) in Japan always occurs around March 20 or 21, marking the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Vernal Equinox Day is a national holiday in Japan that combines ancient traditions with modern astronomical significance. Originally celebrated as a Shinto holiday called Shunki kōreisai, it was used to honor past emperors and imperial ancestors. In 1948, it was officially secularized and renamed as Vernal Equinox Day, becoming one of Japan's public holidays.

The day holds deep cultural significance as it marks the transition from winter to spring, when day and night are of equal length. This natural phenomenon has been observed and celebrated in Japan for centuries, with roots in both Buddhist and Shinto traditions. Many Japanese people use this time to visit family graves (ohaka-mairi), clean their homes, and welcome the spring season.

Traditional celebrations often include family gatherings and visits to Buddhist temples. The holiday is also associated with the custom of higan (彼岸), a seven-day Buddhist observance centered around the equinox. During this period, people often offer flowers and incense at family graves, reflecting on the Buddhist concept of crossing from the world of suffering to the world of enlightenment.

In modern Japanese society, while the religious aspects have somewhat diminished, the holiday remains an important marker of seasonal change and family tradition. Many Japanese people appreciate it as a welcome break during the busy March period, which coincides with the end of the fiscal year and school year in Japan.

Similar equinox celebrations can be found in other cultures, such as Nowruz in Persian communities and various spring festivals in other Asian countries. However, Japan is unique in having made it a national holiday with both astronomical and cultural significance.

The holiday also plays a role in Japan's famous cherry blossom forecasts, as it often coincides with the beginning of sakura season in certain regions. This timing has led to beautiful cultural associations between the equinox, cherry blossoms, and the cyclical nature of seasons in Japanese poetry and art.