Autumnal Equinox Day

I notice there seems to be an error in the date provided (July 28, 2025), as Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日, Shūbun no Hi) in Japan actually occurs around September 22nd or 23rd each year. I'll provide the description based on the correct date:

Autumnal Equinox Day in Japan, known as Shūbun no Hi, is a national holiday that marks the changing of seasons and carries deep cultural significance. Originally a Shinto harvest festival, it was officially established as a public holiday in 1948, though its observance dates back many centuries in Japanese culture.

The day historically served as both a crucial agricultural marker and a spiritual observance. It's one of two holidays during the year when day and night are of equal length, with its spring counterpart being Vernal Equinox Day. This balance of light and dark holds special meaning in Japanese Buddhism, as the equinox periods are traditionally considered times when the boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds becomes thinner.

During this time, many Japanese families visit ancestral graves in a practice called "ohigan," which extends through a seven-day period centered on the equinox. People clean family tombstones, offer flowers, incense, and food to their ancestors, and often gather for family reunions. Traditional autumn foods like ohagi (sweet rice balls covered in red bean paste) are prepared and shared.

In modern Japan, while younger generations might be less connected to the spiritual aspects, the holiday remains an important cultural touchstone. Many appreciate it as a time for family gathering and enjoying the comfortable autumn weather. It's common to see people visiting parks to observe the early signs of autumn foliage, known as "koyo."

The holiday shares similarities with harvest festivals worldwide, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival in China and Korea, though Japan's observance is unique in its official status as a national holiday and its strong Buddhist influences. Some regions hold special events like moon-viewing parties (tsukimi), combining the equinox celebrations with traditional autumn customs.

Interestingly, Japan is the only country that has formally established both the spring and autumn equinoxes as national holidays, reflecting the culture's deep connection to seasonal changes and natural phenomena. The exact date is determined by the National Astronomical Observatory and can vary slightly year to year based on the Earth's movement.