Imagine walking through a Japanese city on a cold January morning.

At the train station, you notice something unusual.

Young women are dressed in beautiful, brightly colored kimono.

Long sleeves.

Elaborate hairstyles.

Small handbags.

Sometimes fluffy white stoles around their shoulders.

Nearby, young men are wearing suits—or sometimes traditional hakama.

Everyone looks unusually dressed up.

They're taking photos.

Meeting old friends.

Heading toward city halls, halls, and event venues.

What's happening?

They're celebrating turning 20.

This is Seijinshiki (成人式)—Japan's famous coming-of-age ceremony.

But here's where things get interesting.

In Japan, the legal age of adulthood is now...

18.

So why are many coming-of-age ceremonies still held for people who are 20?

Welcome to one of Japan's most recognizable—and slightly confusing—modern traditions. 🇯🇵

What Is Seijinshiki?

Seijinshiki (成人式) is a Japanese coming-of-age ceremony traditionally held to celebrate young people reaching adulthood.

The word can be broken down quite simply:

成人 (seijin) = adult / coming of age

式 (shiki) = ceremony

So:

成人式 = coming-of-age ceremony.

Local governments across Japan hold ceremonies for young people in their communities, often around Coming of Age Day (成人の日 / Seijin no Hi) in January.

The ceremony marks an important transition.

Childhood is behind you.

Adulthood is ahead.

Or at least...

that's the idea.

When Is Coming of Age Day in Japan?

Japan has an official national holiday called:

成人の日 (Seijin no Hi)

or:

Coming of Age Day.

It falls on the second Monday of January.

The holiday celebrates and encourages young people who have reached adulthood.

For decades, this has made January one of the easiest times to spot groups of beautifully dressed young adults around Japanese cities.

Train stations.

Photo studios.

Shrines.

Hotels.

Convention halls.

And especially...

wherever the local coming-of-age ceremony is being held.

Wait... Isn't Adulthood 18 in Japan?

Yes.

And this is where Seijinshiki becomes a little confusing.

For a very long time, the legal age of adulthood in Japan was 20.

But on April 1, 2022, Japan lowered the age of majority under the Civil Code from 20 to 18.

At 18, people can now enter many contracts without parental consent and are no longer legally under parental authority.

So technically:

18 = legal adult.

But that created a very practical question.

What happens to Seijinshiki?

Is Seijinshiki Now Held at 18?

Not necessarily.

The national government does not simply require every municipality to hold the ceremony at the same age.

Local governments organize their own ceremonies.

And many have continued celebrating people at 20, even after the legal age of adulthood changed to 18.

Some have also changed the name of the event.

Instead of 成人式 (Seijinshiki), you may see names such as:

二十歳のつどい (Hatachi no Tsudoi)

meaning roughly:

“Gathering of Twenty-Year-Olds.”

For example, Yokohama continues to hold its major celebration for people turning 20, under the name 二十歳の市民を祝うつどい.

So today there's an interesting distinction:

Legally an adult at 18.

Coming-of-age celebration often at 20.

Japan changed the law.

The tradition didn't disappear with it.

Why Keep the Ceremony at 20?

There are several practical reasons why 20 remains meaningful.

At 18, many Japanese students are in their final year of high school.

It's an incredibly busy period.

University entrance examinations.

Graduation.

Preparing for university.

Looking for work.

Moving away from home.

Holding a major celebration at exactly that moment can be difficult.

By 20, many people have moved into a new stage of life.

Some are university students.

Some are working.

Some have left their hometowns.

And that makes the ceremony something else too:

a reunion.

For many participants, Seijinshiki isn't only about officially becoming an adult.

It's a chance to return home and see people they grew up with.

What Do People Wear to Seijinshiki?

This is probably the most visually recognizable part of Seijinshiki.

For many young women, the traditional outfit is a:

furisode (振袖).

A furisode is a formal kimono with exceptionally long sleeves.

And when we say long...

we mean long.

The sleeves can hang dramatically toward the ground, creating the beautiful flowing silhouette associated with Coming of Age Day.

Furisode come in almost every color imaginable.

Red.

Pink.

White.

Blue.

Green.

Black.

Purple.

Modern designs.

Traditional floral designs.

Bold patterns.

Delicate patterns.

On Coming of Age Day, Japanese cities suddenly become much more colorful.

Why Do Women Wear Furisode?

The furisode is traditionally a formal kimono worn by unmarried women.

Because Seijinshiki marks an important life milestone, it became strongly associated with the occasion.

But wearing one isn't simply a matter of pulling a kimono out of the closet.

A complete furisode outfit can involve:

the kimono,

obi sash,

undergarments,

special cords and accessories,

zōri sandals,

a small bag,

hair ornaments,

professional dressing,

and often professional hair and makeup.

Getting ready can take quite a while.

For some participants...

the preparation begins very early in the morning.

Does Everyone Own a Furisode?

Definitely not.

A high-quality furisode can be expensive.

Very expensive.

So many families rent them instead.

Kimono rental businesses offer complete Seijinshiki packages that may include the furisode, obi, accessories, dressing, hairstyling, and photography.

Some women wear a furisode that belongs to their mother or another family member.

There's even a term often used for wearing a mother's furisode:

ママ振 (mama-furi).

A decades-old kimono can suddenly return for another generation.

Same furisode.

Different daughter.

Different era.

That's a lovely part of the tradition.

What Do Men Wear to Seijinshiki?

For men, the most common choice today is often simply:

a suit.

Usually a fairly formal one.

But some men choose traditional Japanese clothing, especially hakama (袴) worn with kimono and haori.

Hakama create a much more dramatic traditional look.

And depending on where you are in Japan, you may see groups of young men taking the opportunity to wear something particularly bold.

After all...

you only turn 20 once.

What Is That White Fluffy Thing Around Their Shoulders?

Look at photos of Seijinshiki and you'll probably notice something.

Many women wearing furisode also have a fluffy white stole around their shoulders.

Why?

One simple reason is:

January is cold.

Traditional kimono aren't exactly designed like modern winter coats.

These stoles became a popular part of the modern Seijinshiki look, adding warmth while also giving the outfit a distinctive formal appearance.

They're so commonly seen in photographs that they've almost become visually inseparable from the image of Coming of Age Day.

Furisode.

Beautiful hair.

Tiny handbag.

And...

fluffy white shoulders.

What Happens at a Seijinshiki Ceremony?

The exact program depends on the municipality.

But ceremonies are commonly organized by local governments and may include things such as:

🎤 Speeches

🎉 Congratulatory messages

🙋 Representatives of the young participants

🎬 Videos or special presentations

📸 Photography

🎁 Commemorative materials or gifts

Some ceremonies are fairly formal.

Others include entertainment or activities organized with young participants themselves.

Large cities may have enormous events.

Yokohama, for example, welcomed more than 22,000 participants to its 2026 celebration at Yokohama Arena.

That's a lot of new twenty-year-olds in one place.

Is Seijinshiki a Religious Ceremony?

No.

Seijinshiki itself is generally a civic ceremony, not a religious ritual.

It's typically organized by municipalities rather than temples or shrines.

However, some participants may visit a Shinto shrine separately.

Families may also arrange formal photographs before or after the ceremony.

So a person's day might include:

Hair and dressing.

Family photos.

The official ceremony.

Meeting friends.

A shrine visit.

Dinner.

And perhaps...

a very long day in a very elaborate kimono.

Is Seijinshiki Mostly About the Ceremony?

Technically, the ceremony is the reason everyone gathers.

But socially?

There's another huge part of the day:

seeing old friends.

Many ceremonies are organized according to the municipality where participants live or grew up.

That means people may suddenly find themselves surrounded by classmates they haven't seen in years.

Elementary school friends.

Junior high school friends.

Old club members.

People who moved away.

People who look completely different now.

So Seijinshiki can feel partly like a coming-of-age ceremony...

and partly like a giant school reunion.

Sometimes the reunion is the part people remember most.

What Happens After Seijinshiki?

After the official ceremony, groups of friends often continue celebrating.

They may take photos together.

Go for meals.

Meet larger groups of former classmates.

And sometimes attend organized reunions called:

dōsōkai (同窓会)

—a school reunion.

This is one reason the age of 20 continues to have another significance.

Although Japan lowered the legal age of adulthood to 18, the legal drinking age remains:

20.

So turning 20 still marks an important boundary in Japanese life.

Legal adulthood may begin at 18.

But alcohol?

Still 20.

Do All Japanese People Attend Seijinshiki?

No.

Participation isn't compulsory.

Some people attend.

Some don't.

Some dress traditionally.

Some wear Western-style clothing.

Some attend only parts of the celebrations.

Others skip the official ceremony but meet friends afterward.

Personal circumstances, cost, location, work, school, and simply whether someone wants to participate can all affect the decision.

So while Seijinshiki is a very visible Japanese tradition...

there isn't one single way everyone experiences it.

When Did Seijinshiki Begin?

Japan has had various coming-of-age customs for centuries.

Historically, ceremonies such as genpuku (元服) marked the transition toward adulthood for young men in earlier periods of Japanese history, while girls and women also had different rites and changes in dress or hairstyle associated with stages of life.

But the modern nationwide image of Seijinshiki is much newer.

Coming of Age Day became a national holiday in 1948.

The modern ceremony developed in postwar Japan as communities celebrated and encouraged young people entering adulthood.

So although the idea of marking adulthood is very old...

the Seijinshiki you see today—with municipal halls, suits, furisode, cameras, and thousands of young adults—is largely a modern tradition.

Why Is Seijinshiki So Japanese?

Coming-of-age celebrations exist all over the world.

So celebrating adulthood isn't uniquely Japanese.

What makes Seijinshiki particularly Japanese is the combination of:

kimono tradition, local community, seasonality, family, friendship, and modern civic ceremony.

A centuries-old style of clothing appears inside a modern convention hall.

A young woman may wear her mother's furisode...

while taking photos for Instagram.

A young man may wear traditional hakama...

then meet his friends at a restaurant afterward.

Old and new sit comfortably beside each other.

And perhaps that's what makes Seijinshiki so interesting.

It's not simply about becoming an adult.

It's about stopping for one day and saying:

You've reached a new stage of life.

Now...

go see what happens next. 🇯🇵

Fun Facts About Seijinshiki

• Seijinshiki (成人式) means coming-of-age ceremony.
• Seijin no Hi (成人の日) is Japan's Coming of Age Day.
• Coming of Age Day falls on the second Monday of January.
• Japan lowered its legal age of adulthood from 20 to 18 in 2022.
• Many municipalities still hold their coming-of-age celebrations for people turning 20.
• Some ceremonies are now called Hatachi no Tsudoi (二十歳のつどい) instead of Seijinshiki.
• Hatachi (二十歳) means 20 years old.
• Many young women wear furisode (振袖).
• Furisode are recognizable by their very long sleeves.
• Many people rent their furisode rather than buy one.
• Some women wear furisode previously worn by their mothers.
• Young men commonly wear suits, although some choose traditional hakama.
• The fluffy white stole often seen with furisode has become a recognizable part of modern Seijinshiki fashion.
• The official ceremony is usually organized by a local municipality.
• Participation isn't mandatory.
• Seijinshiki often doubles as a reunion with old classmates.
• Professional photography is a major part of the experience for many families.
• Maedori (前撮り) means taking formal photographs before the actual ceremony day.
• Japan's legal drinking and smoking age remains 20, even though legal adulthood begins at 18.
• Coming of Age Day became a national holiday in 1948.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Seijinshiki?

Seijinshiki (成人式) is Japan's coming-of-age ceremony, traditionally celebrating young people reaching adulthood.

What does Seijinshiki mean?

Seijin (成人) means adult or coming of age, while shiki (式) means ceremony.

When is Seijinshiki?

Many ceremonies are held around Coming of Age Day, which falls on the second Monday of January.

What age is Seijinshiki?

Traditionally, Seijinshiki celebrated people turning 20. Japan lowered the legal age of adulthood to 18 in 2022, but many municipalities continue holding their ceremonies for 20-year-olds.

Why is Seijinshiki still at 20 if adulthood is 18?

Local governments determine how their celebrations are organized, and many chose to retain 20 as the ceremonial milestone. Eighteen is also an especially busy age for many students because of school, graduation, entrance examinations, and decisions about work or university.

What is Hatachi no Tsudoi?

Hatachi no Tsudoi (二十歳のつどい) means roughly “Gathering of Twenty-Year-Olds.” Some municipalities use this or similar names for what was traditionally called Seijinshiki.

What do women wear to Seijinshiki?

Many women choose furisode, a highly formal style of kimono recognizable by its long sleeves.

What do men wear?

Many men wear formal Western-style suits, while others choose traditional kimono and hakama.

Do you have to wear kimono?

No. Wearing traditional clothing isn't compulsory.

Do you have to attend Seijinshiki?

No. Participation is voluntary.

Why do women wear white fluffy stoles?

January is cold, and fur-like stoles provide some warmth over kimono. They have also become a recognizable part of modern Seijinshiki fashion.

What does hatachi mean?

Hatachi (二十歳) is the special Japanese word for being 20 years old.

Can you drink alcohol at 18 in Japan now?

No. Although the legal age of adulthood became 18 in 2022, the minimum age for drinking alcohol and smoking remains 20.

Is Seijinshiki religious?

Generally, no. The main ceremony is typically a civic event organized by a municipality, although individuals and families may separately visit shrines.

Why is Seijinshiki important?

For many people, it marks an important life milestone, gives families an opportunity to celebrate their children growing up, and brings old classmates together again.

🇯🇵 Keep Discovering Japan

If you enjoyed learning about Seijinshiki (成人式), you might also like discovering Shichi-Go-San (七五三)—another Japanese tradition that celebrates important milestones as children grow up.

👋 Meet a JapPop Resident

Skater Belle

振袖スケーター

She loves tradition.

She also loves...

landing a new skateboard trick. 🛹👘

Skater Belle never saw a reason to choose between the two.

She'll happily put on her favorite furisode, fix her hair, and head straight for the skate park.

Because growing up doesn't mean leaving everything playful behind.

Sometimes tradition just needs a little more speed. ✨

👉 Meet Skater Belle and discover more residents from the JapPop Universe.

🇯🇵 About JapPop

JapPop is a Japanese culture and character brand exploring the food, traditions, language, history, folklore, festivals, and everyday life of Japan.

Through easy-to-understand guides, original illustrations, and characters inspired by Japanese culture, JapPop helps curious people discover the stories behind Japan—from familiar traditions to the little things you might only notice when visiting.

Discover Japanese culture, one story at a time. 🇯🇵✨