Coming-of-Age Day has been saying “welcome to adulthood” officially since 1948. But how, and why? We take a look at what it means to turn 20 in Japan.

Many of us welcome the “bigger and brighter” beginnings that New Year’s Day brings, but there are also many wonderful traditions surrounding this important holiday in Japan. To commemorate this day, we explore a handful of some of the most popular.

Thanksgiving in Japan isn’t solely connected to the produce of the autumn harvest, it’s also a day of gratitude for the working people of Japan. So, how do these two meanings complement one another?