Holidays
As might be expected, Japan has a very different set of holidays from Western countries, and even those they share might be practiced completely differently! We're noting general information about them here because holidays are often great hooks. Persona games often feature them, some being free days, some merely noted in passing, and some being decidedly romantic, where you might spend some time with a special someone.
January
New Year's Day - While technically only on January 1st, many businesses are closed from December 29th through January 3rd. During this time, the first shrine visit of the year, called 'hatsumode,' usually occurs to pray for safety and prosperity. In Persona games, this event nearly always takes place, and for young women, the tradition is that they do so wearing a furisode, which is a type of long-sleeved kimono.
Coming of Age Day - Taking place on the second Monday of January is Coming of Age Day, a day to celebrate everyone who recently turned twenty, the year of majority in Japan. While this changed to eighteen in 2018, the MUSH takes place before this change was established. Most women celebrate in the furisode, and men choose either a Western suit or the more traditional hakama.
Early January - Start of the third term of school. It's shorter and has no midterms--lucky you!
February
School-Specific Entrance Exams - After students take the National Standardized Test for university entrance exams, schools often hold their own in February, first requiring the scores from the National Standardized Test.
Setsubun - On February 3rd, the day before the beginning of spring is celebrated by many shrines, even if it's not a national holiday. The tradition of throwing soybeans comes from this festival--one does so to drive away evil spirits from the prior year as a cleansing for the year in progress.
National Foundation Day - A national holiday on February 11th that celebrates the legend of the Emperor Jimmu ascending to the throne and utilizes it to cultivate a love for the nation.
Valentine's Day - On February 14th, Japan celebrates Valentine's day. Given how the holiday evolved there, young women are the gift-givers on this day. They offer 'giri-choco' or 'obligation chocolate' to male colleagues, coworkers, friends, and classmates, and 'honmei-choco' or 'true feelings chocolate' to those for whom they have feelings, either a crush or a significant other, which are typically more expensive treats and/or homemade. One month later, though, young men are expected to return the favor on White Day.
March
Doll's Festival - Called Hinamatsuri in Japanese. On March 3rd, a day of celebration for families with young girls, where dolls are placed on display in their homes.
White Day - On March 14th, young men return the favor of Valentine's Day by giving chocolate or other gifts back to everyone who gifted them chocolate that day. The tradition is typically the more expensive white chocolate, but other gifts are definitely acceptable.
Vernal Equinox - Taking place on March 20th or 21st is the Vernal Equinox, a national holiday celebrating spring, and the beginning of a seven-day festival. Originally a time which families used to pay respects to their ancestors and clean up their grave sites.
Cherry Blossom Festivals - Not so much a holiday as a seasonal tradition. Starts approximately in late March and lasts through April, depending on when they're blooming, to celebrate the bloom (and fall) of cherry blossom or 'sakura' petals. Celebrated with various picnics, festivals, and flower-viewing parties called 'hanami.'
Mid-Late March - Finals for and end of the third school term. Graduation for those at the end of elementary/middle/high school and college. Approximately the end of the fiscal year for companies.
Spring Break - Mid-late March into early-mid April; lasts about ten days to two weeks before the new school term starts. The exact dates vary between types of school. Elementary schools tend to finish earlier, while universities tend to end the school year in April or even as late as May.
April
Early-Mid April - Start of the first school term. The exact date varies.
Showa Day - On April 29th is Showa Day, the birthday of the late Emperor Showa. The start of Golden Week, which is a string of consecutive and close-by holidays that many families and individuals alike use for an extended vacation. Originally it began with Greenery Day, but that was moved to May 4th.
May
Constitution Day - Part of Golden Week, on May 3rd, a day for remembering the establishment of the new constitution post World War II.
Greenery Day - Part of Golden Week, celebrated on May 4th, a day to reflect on nature, and to celebrate the role of plants in the citizens lives.
Children's Day - Part of Golden Week, celebrated on May 5th. Originally a day of festivals for young boys, it has been changed to be all children. Nevertheless, the festival maintains its roots in the display of miniature armor or kabutos in Japanese homes.
Early to Mid-May - Midterms for the first term!
June
Start of June - Time to show off your summer uniforms!
University Entrance Exams - The first session of these is held in June. The nationalized standard test for third-year high school students or ronins that failed to pass during high school.
July
Tanabata - On July 7th, the 'Star Festival' takes place, based on the old legend of Altair (Hikoboshi) and Vega (Orihime) being able to meet on that day. Sometimes celebrated on August 7th in some regions of Japan due to the old lunar-based calendar. A popular custom is to write one's wishes on paper and hang them a decorative bamboo tree out of the hopes that one's wishes might come true.
Mid-July - First term finals!
Late July - Summer vacation!
August
Obon - While some areas of Japan celebrate this holiday beginning on July 15th, it's primarily celebrated between August 13th to 16th. A Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors out of a belief that their spirits return to the world temporarily on this day. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are typically placed over bodies of water to guide the spirits back into their world.
Mountain Day - While this takes place on August 11th ordinarily, it wasn't first observed until 2016 and thus isn't yet observed on the MUSH. A day to appreciate the mountains of Japan.
End of August - The end of August is also the end of summer vacation.
September
Beginning of September - Start of the second school term.
Chrysanthemum Day - Held on September 9th, a traditional imperial event where sake infused with chrysanthemum petals was drunk and rituals to ward off evil were performed. Not to be confused with the Chrysanthemum Festival, held by Shinto and Buddhist shrines and temples throughout October and November.
Respect for the Aged Day - On the third Monday of September, a day to observe respect for Japan's most senior residents and celebrate the prospect of living a long and fulfilling life.
Autumnal Equinox - Typically held on September 22nd or 23rd, usually resulting in an autumn harvest festival wherein citizens tend to family plots and visit local shrines, including traditional sweets.
October
Start of October - Change to your winter uniform!
Mid-October - Midterms for second term!
University Entrance Exams - The second session of these is held in October for the nationalized standard test for third year high school students or ronins that failed to pass during high school.
Health and Sports Day - Held on the second Monday of October, it's a national holiday to promote a healthy body. Many schools hold their field days or sports festivals during this, featuring various events for the classes to compete with some contests more serious than others.
Chrysanthemum Festival - A flower show taking place from mid October to late November to celebrate both the season of autumn and the imperial family. Takes place at numerous shrines throughout Japan.
Halloween - Celebrated on October 31st. It's a relatively new holiday in Japan, but very popular with younger generations. Rather than trick-or-treating, though, the Japanese celebration typically focuses on creating a costume for the night and events that let people participate in the fun.
November
Culture Day - Observed on November 3rd, a national holiday to promote Japanese culture. Many schools hold their cultural festivals on this day. This is nearly always a big event at the schools in Persona games, some with more antics than others.
Labour Thanksgiving Day - Held on November 23rd, Labour Thanksgiving Day is a part of a forced post-World War II effort by the United States to change Japanese holidays from spiritual to secular ones. A day to celebrate labor and production. Before the change, it was a harvest festival to give thanks for the crops of the previous year.
December
Late December - Finals for second term!
Start of Winter Break - After finals for second term.
Emperor's Birthday - While currently celebrated on February 23rd, at the time of the MUSH, it's celebrated on December 23rd for the reigning Emperor of the time. During the week prior, many citizens write letters to him, and a large ceremony is held on that day with the Emperor addressing the public.
Christmas Eve - Held on December 24th, it's considered the most romantic day of the year. Couples spend time together at upscale restaurants throughout Japan, or just as commonly, share Christmas chicken together due to a very successful marketing campaign by KFC; friends and family can celebrate too with their own parties. Christmas Day is celebrated less, and considered a more family-and-friends event when it is.