Japanese Holidays and Festivals Quiz

Answer: National Foundation Day (Kenkoku kinenbi)

Golden Week is much anticipated by the Japanese. Although there are only three holidays, many take the whole week off.

April 29 is Greenery Day. This national holiday was previously known as Emperor's Birthday under Emperor Shouwa. When the Emperor died in 1989, the day became known as Greenery Day, in honour of Emperor's great interest in the flora and nature of Japan.

Constitution Memorial Day, the second holiday of Golden Week, falls on May 3. The holiday marks the foundation of the constitution in 1947 and celebrates freedom and democracy. Japan's parliamentary building, the Diet, is open for the public on this day.

Japanese law states that if two public holidays are separated by one day, the day in between shall also be a public holiday, unless that day is a Sunday. As May 5 is a public holiday also (Children's Day), May 4 is taken as a holiday, unless it is a Sunday of course. This day is referred to as 'kokumin no kyujitsu' - national holiday or 'Between Day'.

Children's Day is mainly a celebration for boys, the equivalent of Girl's Day, held in March. It was previously named Boy's Day, but was changed in 1948.

Answer: Hinaningyo

Girl's Day is called Hinamatsuri in Japanese - 'Doll's Festival'. Hina-ningyo are displayed. These are dolls of the Emperor and Empress and their court, dressed in costumes from the Heian period, set on tiered platforms. The 'court' usually consists of three court ladies, six musicians and two ministers. Today, many families living in small apartments purchase smaller sets comprising of only the Emperor and Empress. Traditionally, the dolls are cast away into a river, said to be getting rid of any sins. Such is not the practice anymore, with sets costing thousands of dollars.

Peach blossoms are another traditional decoration of Girl's Day, as it falls during the blossoming season.

Answer: False

Christmas is becoming more and more popular in Japan, even though it is not a Christian country. Many businesses display Christmas trees and decorations and people exchange gifts. However, Christmas Day is not a national holiday in Japan. People still have to go to work and school, unless it's a Sunday.

Answer: Eating kashiwamochi (special rice cakes)

In Japan, New Year celebrations typically last for three days, when shops are closed and people visit their families. An otoshidoma is a monetary gift which parents or grandparents give to their children at the New Year. Many children look forward to it as Christian children look forward to presents on Christmas Day.

Hanetsuki is like badminton, played without a net. Hane, shuttles, are hit between two players with a decorated paddle called a 'hagoita'. In recent years, New Year's games have declined in popularity.

Toshikoshisoba (buckwheat noodles) are long noodles which symbolize longevity. They are eaten to hope for a long and healthy life.

Kashiwamochi are rice cakes with a sweet bean paste, wrapped in oak leaves. They are not a New Year tradition and are eaten on Boy's Day (May 5).

Answer: Spring

Setsubun means 'seasonal division'. The festival is held on February 3 or 4, one day before spring starts. On Setsubun, the Japanese throw roasted beans around their houses, temples and shrines, whilst shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (Devils out! Happiness in!). Then, one eats the number of beans corresponding to one's age.
Setsubun is not a national holiday.

Answer: 20

20 is also the age that Japanese adults are allowed to vote, drink and smoke. Coming of Age Day is held on the second Monday of January (previous to 1999 it was held on January 15). All those who are turning 20 in that year attend a ceremony which is held in each town. It is a formal event, with women wearing traditional kimonos and men wearing suits.

Answer: People pray for and remember their ancestors

Obon festival is held from 13th to 15th July in some parts of the country and 13th to 15th August in other places. The Japanese remember their ancestors, and some people erect altars inside their homes to make food offerings and pray for them. It is said that the ancestors inhabit the house for a few days, and the Japanese hang lanterns outside their houses to guide their ancestors.

At the end of the Obon festival, the lanterns are floated down rivers, guiding their ancestors back to their worlds.

Answer: Health and Sports Day (Taiiku no hi)

On this day in 1964, the Tokyo Olympics were opened. Many people participate in special sporting events organised by their town or community. Many schools usually hold a sports day the day preceding or following this day.

Answer: Marine Day (Umi no hi)

Marine Day was introduced in 1996. It was held on 20th July until 2002. In 2003, it was changed to the third Monday of July. The day celebrates the role of the sea in Japan's history, in particular to commemorate the return of Emperor Meiji to Yokohama port in 1876 after a trip to northern Japan. July 20 was named Marine Commemoration Day in 1941, but only became a national holiday in 1996.

The Emperor's Birthday is also a relatively new holiday, having been introduced in 1989, to celebrate the birthday of the Emperor Akihito.

Answer: Shukujitsu

Matsuri - festival
Tanjobi - birthday
Shougatsu - New Year