seijin shiki
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.
Monday was Coming of Age day in Japan, an annual celebration held on the second Monday of January where those who have turned 20 over the past year come together to celebrate while everyone else gets a day off work. There are ceremonies (seijin shiki) held at local and prefectural offices and of course many after-parties where I’m sure everyone acts as maturely as befits a young adult. In Kitakyushu things got a bit wild, with a substantial number of kids turning up with crazy pimped out outfits and hair.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
This is possibly the coziest train in all Japan thanks to onboard hot spring footbaths【Pics】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Japan’s snack of almonds and whole fish might not be for everyone【Taste test】
Japanese cats join couple every night for beautiful meals, cute photos【Pics】
Kyoto restaurant only sells one dish, features mannequins and gets rave reviews!
Weekly
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026- 7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens- 7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
RECOMMENDED STORIES
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Japan’s snack of almonds and whole fish might not be for everyone【Taste test】
Japanese cats join couple every night for beautiful meals, cute photos【Pics】
Kyoto restaurant only sells one dish, features mannequins and gets rave reviews!
Is “The Most Annoying but Most Delicious” ramen from 7-Eleven truly the most delicious?
Cat kotatsu let your feline friends relax through winter the Japanese way【Photos】
This needle felting artist is recreating people’s pet cats down to the last furry detail【Photos】
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Kodansha’s K Manga app launches with 60 English simupubs among 400 titles
Massive manga mural takes over Tokyo station to celebrate Jujutsu Kaisen【Photos】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
-
