Vernal Equinox Day Description
Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日, Shunbun no Hi) occurs around March 20th or 21st each year — in 2026 it falls on Friday, March 20th, creating a natural long weekend. The day marks the astronomical beginning of spring when day and night are equal in length. It is officially designated as a day 'to revere nature and cherish all living things.' The holiday is deeply connected to the Buddhist tradition of Higan (literally 'the other shore'), a seven-day period centered on the equinox when Japanese visit family graves to clean them, offer flowers and incense, and pray for ancestors. Ohagi (or botamochi) — sweet rice balls covered in red bean paste — are traditionally eaten during this period. Many temples hold Higan-e services. The day is also the unofficial start of cherry blossom season anticipation, with sakura forecast maps published around this time. Government offices and schools close. Most retail businesses remain open. Cemeteries and temple grounds are busier than usual with families performing grave visits. In 2026, the combination with the weekend makes this a popular time for short domestic trips and early cherry blossom viewing in warmer regions like Kyushu and Shikoku.
