Tuesday 1 January:
Oshogatsu (or Shogatsu): Shinto New Year, one of the most popular occasions for shrine visits.
Tuesday 15 January:
Seijin Shiki (Adults' Day): Japanese who have reached legal adulthood (20 in Japan) in the previous year attend a shrine to give thanks.
Sunday 3 February:
Rissun (Setsubun): A Spring festival that marks the division between Winter and Spring and is celebrated with beans.
Monday 3 March:
Hina-matsuri - Festival of Dolls: Celebrates daughters in the family.
Friday 21 March:
Shubun-sai - Equinox day: A day for visiting graves. Also associated with Buddhism in Japan.
Saturday 15 November:
Shichigosan (7-5-3 festival): A festival to give thanks for children. Often celebrated on the nearest Sunday to the 15th to allow working parents to take part.
Sunday 23 November:
Niinamesei: Labour Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday in Japan and originally a harvest festival.
For information on the Shinto religion please visit > Shinto
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