MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Japanese and Americans attend American Day near Misawa Air Base on May 31 and June 1, 2008. Over 40,000 people attended the weekend celebration held annually to support and strengthen Japanese and American relations. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airmen Laura McFarlane and Chad Strohmeyer)
Japanese Holidays and Annual Events (* denotes National Holiday)
January 1st*: New Year "Shogatsu"
January, 2nd Sunday*: Coming-of-Age Day "Seijinn-no-hi"
February 3rd: Bean-Throwing Ceremony "Setsubun" Eve of the spring first day
March 3rd: Girls' Festival or Doll Festival "Hinamatsuri"
March 21st*: Vernal Equinox Day "Shunbun-no-hi"
April 29th*: Greenery Day "Midori-no-hi" (Birthday of the late Emperor Hirohito)
May 3rd*: Constitution Day "Kenpo-kinenbi"
May 5th*: Children's Day or Boy's Festival "Kodomo-no-hi"
July 7th: The Star Festival "Tanabata"
July 20th*: Marine Day "Umi-no-hi"
August 13th~16th: The Festival of Souls "Obon"
September 15th*: Respect for the Aged Day "Keiro-no-hi"
September 23rd*: Autumnal Equinox Day "Shunbun-no-hi"
October, 2nd Monday*: Health & Sports Day "Taiku-no-hi"
November 3rd*: Culture Day "Bunka-no-hi" (Birthday of the late Meiji Emperor)
November 15th: Gala Day for children of 3, 5 and 7 years of age "Shichi-go-san"
November 23rd*: Labor Thanksgiving Day "Kinro-kansha-no-hi"
December 23rd*: The Emperor's Birthday "Tenno-Tanjyoubi"
