
If you haven’t heard yet, last week 20-year-olds all over Japan dressed up and gathered together on January 12 for their government official Coming-of-Age ceremonies. The event takes place every year for any young adult who turned 20 in the previous year. It’s an event that signifies their entry into adulthood and ability to legally drink alcohol.
However, there are some 20-year-olds who don’t get to celebrate the same way as their peers: those who joined the Japan Self-Defense Forces after high school and are off on duty somewhere. The forgotten few were not so forgotten this year, as some pictures of them were posted on Twitter. And you thought the guys in Okinawa were badass? Check out these soldiers.
▼ While their 20-year-old peers are partying it up at home, these two guys (with the red badges in the middle) are sitting on a sheet of ice in Antarctica! Brrrr!
[tweet https://twitter.com/miyagipco/status/556988180881080320 align=center]▼ If that’s not cool enough for you (no pun intended), check out these newly-turned adults on the Ground Force. Part of their ceremony included playing tug-of-war with an FH70 (a kind of howitzer artillery)!
Netizens are taking kindly to these photos, seeing these guys as much cooler than some of their crazy-haired cohorts who are getting all of the attention.
“They look older and more sophisticated than 20.”
“They really are turning into adults much more than the rest of us.”
“These guys are so much cooler than the delinquent-looking guys with goofy hair.”
“ANTARCTICA?!”
We hope that these Japan Self-Defense soldiers were at least able to have a little free time on this joyous occasion. Even if they did though, it might be a while until those two in Antarctica hear about their Twitter debuts!
Sources: Hamusoku
Images: Twitter (@miyagipco)


Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Giant rubber duck arrives in Osaka!
Beyond sakura: How to tell a cherry blossom from a plum or peach flower
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Giant rubber duck arrives in Osaka!
Beyond sakura: How to tell a cherry blossom from a plum or peach flower
Go, Super Alloy Kitty! Hello Kitty takes robot form and stars in original animated video
Extreme budget travel! Can you do a good weekend trip to Taiwan with 50,000 yen (US$370)? – Part 2
Final Fantasy’s Yoshitaka Amano illustrates exclusive Japan-only Magic: The Gathering card
Japanese schoolgirls from the ‘70s are the reason we have teriyaki burgers today
The most preposterous “adult” gacha capsule toys at Akihabara Station
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Maiko beauty secrets: Skincare tips from Japan’s apprentice geisha
Utada Hikaru explains “why getting over someone is so painful”
Eating a shark heart from a Tokyo supermarket【Photos】