Japan has a reputation for hard work, but let us assure you of one thing: it's a nation that takes its holidays just as seriously! New Year's and Obon -- the two other biggest holiday events -- only manage a single holiday each. Golden Week incorporates 3 (four, if you count "Between Day") holidays and conveniently timed weekends to make for what can only be described as a … [Read more...] about Golden Week
Holidays
Celebrating Setsubun
Setsubun means roughly "division of seasons" and is celebrated the day before the first day of spring, according to the Japanese lunar calendar. In 2006, the celebration is on February 3. It marks the first day of the solar year, hence sometimes being referred to as New Year's Eve. The holiday is associated with purification rites designed to throw the demons out and start the … [Read more...] about Celebrating Setsubun