"Vernal Equinox Day" and Japanese Spring Customs

In Japan, the changing of the seasons is highly valued.
Among these, the Vernal Equinox Day is a special holiday that marks the arrival of spring.
This time, we will introduce the meaning of the Vernal Equinox and the unique spring customs in Japan. If you want to know more about Japanese culture, please read to the end!

【【What is the Vernal Equinox?】
Vernal Equinox Day is a national holiday that falls every year around March 20. On this day, the length of day and night are roughly the same, and it is believed to be the official start of spring.
In fact, the Vernal Equinox is not just a "seasonal change" but is also deeply connected to Japanese culture and traditions, especially the custom of "Ohigan."

【【The Relationship Between Ohigan and Vernal Equinox】
"Ohigan" is a part of Japanese Buddhist culture, a period during which people hold memorial services for their ancestors. The Vernal Equinox is the central day of the "Spring Ohigan."
In Japan, it is common to visit graves at this time of year. Families clean the graves, prepare flowers and offerings, and pray.
It is also customary to eat a sweet called "Botamochi" on the Vernal Equinox. This is a simple Japanese confectionery made from glutinous rice and sweet bean paste, named after the "peony" flower that blooms in spring.

【【Spring customs unique to Japan】
Around the time of the Vernal Equinox, scenes that make you feel the arrival of spring spread across Japanese cities. Here we will introduce some spring customs that are unique to Japan!

【【Cherry blossom viewing】

When we think of spring, the first thing that comes to mind is cherry blossom viewing!
In Japan, cherry blossoms bloom from late March to April. Beautiful cherry trees line parks and riversides, and many people gather to enjoy the blossoms.

In Osaka, where Clover Academy is located, Osaka Castle Park, Expo Commemoration Park, and the Sakura Passage at the Mint Bureau are particularly famous. Enjoy spring in Japan by eating your lunch under the cherry blossoms and taking photos.

【【Enjoy the taste of spring】
Spring is a special season in Japanese food culture. Enjoying seasonal ingredients is the best part of spring in Japan!

• Bamboo shoots(For bamboo shoot rice or stews!)
• Rape blossoms(Feel the taste of spring with ohitashi and salads)
• Sakura mochi(An exquisite harmony of the aroma of cherry leaves and the sweetness of mochi)

Spring foods are not only delicious but also visually vibrant, giving you a sense of the beauty that is so typical of Japan.

【【A season of new starts】
In Japan, spring is also the season of "new beginnings."
April marks the start of the new school and work year, and many people move on to new environments.
For this reason, spring is also a season filled with celebrations, with graduation and entrance ceremonies taking place and people celebrating new beginnings amidst the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Vernal Equinox Day is not just a national holiday, but a day to celebrate the arrival of spring and to respect our ancestors. Spring in Japan is full of beautiful traditions and culture, such as visiting graves during the equinox, cherry blossom viewing, and enjoying the flavors of spring.

If you are in Japan, take this opportunity to experience "how to enjoy spring in Japan"!