Autumnal Equinox Day

Autumnal Equinox Day
Official name秋分の日 (Shūbun no Hi)
Observed byJapan
TypePublic
SignificanceCommemorates the autumnal equinox
Celebrationsfamily reunions, outdoor activities, snacks such as botamochi
DateSeptember equinox
Frequencyannual

Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日, Shūbun no Hi) is a public holiday in Japan that usually occurs on September 22 or 23, the date of Southward equinox in Japan Standard Time (autumnal equinox can occur on different dates for different time zones). Due to the necessity of recent astronomical measurements, the date of the holiday is not officially declared until February of the previous year. Autumnal Equinox Day became a public holiday in 1948. In 1947 and before, it was the date of Shūki kōreisai (秋季皇霊祭), an event relating to Shinto. Like other holidays, this holiday was repackaged as a non-religious holiday for the sake of separation of religion and state in Japan's postwar constitution.

Recent Japanese equinoxes

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Past observed and future calculated equinoxes in Japan Standard Time.[1]

Year Vernal Day of week Autumnal Day of week
2013 March 20 Wednesday September 23 Monday
2014 March 21 Friday September 23 Tuesday
2015 March 21 Saturday September 23 Wednesday
2016 March 20 Sunday September 22 Thursday
2017 March 20 Monday September 23 Saturday
2018 March 21 Wednesday September 23 Sunday
2019 March 21 Thursday September 23 Monday
2020 March 20 Friday September 22 Tuesday
2021 March 20 Saturday September 23 Thursday
2022 March 21 Monday September 23 Friday
2023 March 21 Tuesday September 23 Saturday
2024 March 20 Wednesday September 22 Sunday
2025 March 20 Thursday September 23 Tuesday
2026 March 20 Friday September 23 Wednesday
2027 March 21 Sunday September 23 Thursday
2028 March 20 Monday September 22 Friday
2029 March 20 Tuesday September 23 Sunday
2030 March 20 Wednesday September 23 Monday


Celebration

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On this day, people will reconnect with their families by tending to the graves of ancestors and visiting shrines and temples. People also celebrate the good weather and autumn harvest by enjoying outdoor activities and eating Shūbun no Hi snacks such as botamochi– a ball of sweet rice in azuki paste.

See also

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References

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