What happens on Vernal Equinox Day?
The vernal equinox arrives on Thursday, marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere and the fall in the Southern Hemisphere. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time.
Understanding Nijushi-sekki and Shichijuni-kou: Japan’s Ancient System of Seasonal Divisions
In Japan, there is a traditional way of dividing the year called "Nijushi-sekki" (the 24 solar terms) and "Shichijuni-kou" (the 72 microseasons). These terms divide the year into smaller periods based on changes in nature. Nijushi-sekki divides the four seasons into six parts, making a total of 24 terms throughout the year. Each of these 24 terms is further divided into three periods of about five days, giving us the 72 microseasons.
For example, the start of autumn is marked by Risshu (the beginning of autumn), winter begins with Ritto, spring with Risshun, and summer with Rikka. In 2024, Risshu fell on August 7, which still feels more like summer. On the other hand, the Shubun (Autumnal Equinox) on September 22 aligns more with the seasonal transition from summer to autumn.
Japan also has Shunbun (Spring Equinox), which mirrors Shubun (Autumnal Equinox). On both of these days, the length of day and night is nearly equal. Interestingly, both the Shubun (Autumnal Equinox) and Shunbun (Spring Equinox) are public holidays in Japan, making them even more significant.
What Are the Autumnal and Spring Equinoxes About?
In Japan, Shubun is a time to honor ancestors and remember those who have passed, while Shunbun is a day to celebrate nature and show respect for all living things. Historically, these days were tied to Imperial rites known as Shuki Kōreisai and Shunki Kōreisai, during which families would honor their ancestors and give thanks for the autumn harvest in autumn, or pray for a bountiful harvest in spring. This practice reflects Japan’s agrarian roots.
For Japanese people, these holidays are very familiar seasonal markers because of their cultural and spiritual importance. https://www.group-shinka.com/culture/setsubun-japan
Ohagi: Traditional Sweets of the Shubun (Autumnal Equinox)
One traditional food associated with Ohigan is Ohagi, a sweet made from sticky rice coated with Anko (sweet red bean paste). This custom is said to have started in the Heian period (794-1185). The red color of the beans is believed to ward off evil spirits, much like how Sekihan (red rice) is eaten on Hare (auspicious occasions) in Japan.
In spring, a similar sweet called Botamochi is offered. Both are essentially the same, but the key difference is that Ohagi in autumn uses coarse anko, while Botamochi in spring uses smooth anko. Their names reflect seasonal flowers: Ohagi is named after hagi (Japanese bush clover), and Botamochi is named after botan (peony).
The Significance of Ohagi and Wagashi in Japanese Culture
During the autumn Ohigan, you’ll find Ohagi in wagashi shops across Japan. While Ohagi is a familiar sweet to most Japanese people, it might not leave much of an impression on foreign visitors because of its plain appearance.
How does Japan celebrate Vernal Equinox Day?
This holiday coincides with many end-of-year academic events in Japan. 学校 hold 卒業 and 終業式 on this day. Traditionally, Japanese families tend to visit their family’s grave site offering bota mochi , a sweet rice ball just like its autumnal counterpart, ohagi.
What follows after Shubun no Hi is the annual spring holiday season, which is approximately a 16-day period until April 5 (the start of Japan’s fiscal year). It’s also the time when Japan’s 桜 start blooming in many parts of the country. During this time, people travel all around the country to view the cherry blossoms or to see friends and loved ones.
JR’s spring season 青春１８きっぷ rail passes (good for five days of unlimited rail travel on any local or rapid service train anywhere in the country) become valid on this day and is a nice, inexpensive way to see the country.
Visits are made to the family grave, cleaning it and offering flowers and incense to console ancestral spirits. Following Vernal Equinox Day, days gradually get longer and nights shorter.
Shunbun no Hi is the holiday celebrating the spring (vernal) equinox. It is part of a seven-day period of festival called Haru no Higan. It is one of two points during the year, the other being in the autumn, where the daylight and night hours are of equal length, and is the official change of the seasons. Due to the nature of the holiday revolving around astronomical changes the date of the holiday can change from year to year but it will usually fall anywhere between March 19–22. Back in ancient times, the holiday was originally called Higan no Nakaba, which translates to “Middle of the Equinoctial Week.” The holiday was originally a time to visit loved ones' grave sites and pay homage to the ancestors. The Japanese would also take the time to renew their lives by cleaning their homes and making life changes such as starting or finishing school or a new hobby. Today Shunbun no Hi is a national holiday and the majority of Japanese will have the day off work to celebrate with their families. Many people will return to their homes they originally come from to spend the day with their families. The day is celebrated to bring in the spring season and to appreciate nature blooming after a long winter. Some people will still visit their loved ones' grave sites, sweep the gravestone clear of debris, and often leave offerings of food or fresh cut flowers.It is common for followers to eat a sweet confection known as botamochi (牡丹餅) that is often used as an offering at shrines, temples, and graves all across Japan during Higan. Botamochi is made using sticky rice and bean paste that is made into a chewy, ball-shaped treat.The holiday is also special to farmers and agriculturalists as a day to pray for good luck and fortune for the crops they may grow in the upcoming season.
Vernal Equinox Day is the non-religious holiday that came out of this change, and it specifically celebrates a love of nature and all living things.Spring-view of Osaka castle among cherry blossoms with iconic green roofs To immerse yourself in the Japan Vernal Equinox Day celebrations and experience Japanese nature at the beginning of the new season, is just one of the many reasons to visit Japan in spring. Although Vernal Equinox Day is now officially a secular holiday, many of the original Shinto traditions still play a big part in how the day is celebrated. In the past, the original Shinto holiday was used to venerate and honour past Emperors of Japan. In the present day, Vernal Equinox Day sees families travel to reunite and spend time with each other when they perhaps couldn’t at another time. Alongside this, many families visit burial sites of their ancestors, with some families seeing it as customary to clean gravestones, sweep away debris and replant flowers as a way of honouring them. In this way, Vernal Equinox Day echoes past traditions in the modern age. Celebrate shunbun no hi from wherever you are in the world with authentic Japanese gifts, direct from Japan, such as many spring inspired kimonos and Japanese accessories. Also, if you’re interested to discover more about Japanese culture, please visit our blog.
Summary
Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日) is an important public holiday in Japan, observed around March 20th each year. This day marks the arrival of spring, signifying a time of balance between day and night. In Japanese culture, the Vernal Equinox is deeply linked to themes of nature, reflection, and honoring ancestors. It is a time to visit family graves, pay respects, and reflect on the cyclical rhythms of life and death. This holiday also encourages people to appreciate the natural world, as it signifies the changing of seasons and the beauty of nature’s renewal.
Vernal Equinox Day is more than just a shift in the weather—it’s a day to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the environment and spiritual traditions. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between life, nature, and the passage of time.
Curious about how Vernal Equinox Day is celebrated in Japan and its deep cultural significance? Join the conversation or share your thoughts on how nature and reflection shape our lives.
