The second Monday of January is celebrated in Japan as “Seijin Shiki” or “Coming of Age Day” by young adults who have just turned 20 years old within the Japanese school year. Many are proud to take part as not only do they get to skip school but mark the date when they are no longer children. These new adults can now drive, vote, drink and smoke, hopefully not all at once.

The festival varies as each city or town holds their own series of events. Many families will gather in the morning at local auditoriums or government offices to hear speeches from community leaders where they will also receive small gifts. The rest of the day can be spent traditionally at shrine ceremonies where participants will be offered their first alcoholic beverage.

As part of tradition, the new adults will dress to impress. Many girls will wear a furisode, a formal silk kimono with extra long sleeves and sometimes a fur wrap. Most furisodes are rented as they can cost up to 150,00 yen a day (roughly 1500 USD). Most guys taking part will wear a designer suit but some still wear a hakama, a traditional styled kimono.

So to all those turning 20 in Japan おめでとう!