成人式(せいじんしき)

せいじんしき
noun
coming-of-age ceremony
1. coming-of-age ceremony
A ceremony held in January for those who turned 20 during the past year.
成人式(せいじんしき)に振袖(ふりそで)を着(き)る。
To wear furisode for the coming-of-age ceremony.
成人式(せいじんしき)で同級生(どうきゅうせい)に会(あ)えた。
I was able to meet classmates at the coming-of-age ceremony.
成人式(せいじんしき)は1月(がつ)の第(だい)2月曜日(げつようび)に行(おこな)われる。
The coming-of-age ceremony is held on the second Monday of January.

成人式(せいじんしき) is a ceremony celebrating young people reaching adulthood. It is one of Japan's most visible cultural traditions.

DATE:
Held on 成人(せいじん)の日(ひ) (Coming of Age Day), the second Monday of January.

ATTIRE:

  • Women: 振袖(ふりそで) (long-sleeved kimono) — the most iconic image of the day
  • Men: スーツ or 袴(はかま) (traditional hakama)

WHAT HAPPENS:
Local governments organize ceremonies with speeches. Afterwards, groups of friends often gather for reunions with former classmates.

AGE CHANGE:
In 2022, the legal age of adulthood was lowered from 20 to 18, but most municipalities still hold ceremonies for those turning 20, sometimes renamed 二十歳(はたち)のつどい.

Related Words

Related: 成人(せいじん) (adult)
Related: 振袖(ふりそで) (long-sleeved kimono)
Related: 結婚式(けっこんしき) (wedding ceremony)
Related: 入学式(にゅうがくしき) (entrance ceremony)
general
Added 2026.1.16 16:44 · Revised 2026.4.14 15:33
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