Coming of Age Day (成人の日 Seijin no Hi) takes place annually on the second Monday of January to celebrate the birthdays of all those who have reached the magical age of twenty (hatachi) between Apr. 2 of the previous year and Apr. 1 of the current year. This year, the celebrations are taking place on January 13 (Sun.) and 14 (Mon.).
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
For those in Fukuoka for the occasion, it is an opportunity to see a unique aspect of Japanese culture, as new adults mark their passage in utmost style, with participants donning their best kimono and spending small fortunes on hair styling and makeup.
If you’re interested in seeing the ceremonies (成人式 seijin-shiki) , we’ve listed a few spots below. If you do go and visit, remember to be respectful of those celebrating, it is their day after all.
Fukuoka City
Head along to Marine Messe Fukuoka on Monday to see people gathering for the seijin-shiki. It’s best to go around the start or end of the event to see people arriving and departing in their kimono.
• 1/14 (Mon.)
• 14:00~15:00 (doors open 13:00)
• Marine Messe Fukuoka
• 7-1 Okihama-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• 092-711-4188
• http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/kodomo-mirai/tk-suishin/opinion/H30nendoseijinshiki.html
Kitakyushu City
While most of the seijin-shiki found in Kitakyushu follow the usual pattern of celebrations, a small but very visible group have defined their own yankii style. It’s loud, proud, and winds up the local authorities.
• 1/13 (Sun.)
• 11:30~12:30 (doors open 10:30)
• Kitakyushu Media Dome
• 3-1-1 Mihagino, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu
• 093-582-2392
• http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/ko-katei/11901093.html
Kurume City
Kurume City’s celebrations start early in the morning of Jan. 13 at Hotel New Plaza Kurume and 29 more places in different wards of the city.
• 1/13 (Sun.)
• 10:00~ (times vary per venue)
• Hotel New Plaza Kurume + 29 places
• 16-1 Mutsumon-machi, Kurume City
• 0942-33-4529
• http://www.city.kurume.fukuoka.jp.e.ax.hp.transer.com/1060manabi/2020shogaigakusyu/3050seijinshiki/kaisai.html
Dazaifu City
The Dazaifu area will be filled with kimono clad twenty year olds on Jan. 13 for the seijin-shiki. There’s also a high chance of seeing people on the Monday around the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine area!
• 1/13 (Sun.)
• 14:00~16:00 (doors open 13:30)
• Puramu Karukoa Dazaifu Hall
• 1-3-1 Kanzeonji, Dazaifu City
• 092-921-2121
• http://www.city.dazaifu.lg.jp/admin/kosodate/shakyo/7701.html
Yanagawa City
On Jan. 13 you might be lucky enough to see the colorful kimono of the celebrants against the beautiful backdrop of Yanagawa’s canals for some Instagram-worthy photos! Take the opportunity to ride the kotatsu bune, too.
• 1/13 (Sun.)
• 14:00~ (doors open 13:00)
• Yanagawa Citizen Hall
• 29-2 Sakamoto-machi, Yanagawa City
• 0944-77-8834
• https://www.city.yanagawa.fukuoka.jp/kyoiku/shogaigakushu/seijinshiki/oshirase.html
Written by Oscar Boyd and Jasmin Bethke, Jan. 2017. Updated Jan. 2019.
NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was updated in Jan. 2019.