The Seimei Solar term is the 5th of 24 solar terms according to the ancient Chinese calendar.
Flower Party Ceremony (Nara, Yakushiji) 花会式 はなえしき
Flower Party Ceremony’s bouquets made of more than 10 varieties of flowers have been offered to Yakushi-ji’s patron deity for more than 1,000 years.
Spring Equinox in Japan 春分の日 しゅんぶんのひ
The Spring Equinox in Japan falls in the middle of the Haru no Higan week of festivities and is a public holiday where people reconnect with their families.
Spring Higan-e 春のお彼岸 はるのおひがん
The Spring Equinoctial Week, Higan-e, beginning March 18th, is the 7 day period when people traditionally go back to take care of the graves of their ancestors.
White Day ホワイト デー
White day on March 14th is a time for men to answer their gifts of chocolates on Valentine’s Day with something white… like cookies and candies, but other white related gifts are OK, too. Remember the gift should be triple in value!
Shuni-e / Omizutori at Todaiji (Nara prefecture) 二月堂 お水取り にがつどう おみずとり
Omizutori at Todaiji temple in Nara city is one of the Shuni-e festivals in which the falling sparks of pine torches give good luck!
Kashima Saito Festival 鹿島祭頭祭 かしまさいとうさい
During the Kashima Sato Festival, on March 14th, people dressed up as samurai in very colorful dress wave 180 cm rods as they dance around the shrine area of Kashima city.
啓蟄 けいちつ Keichitsu
Keichitsu (啓蟄 けいちつ) is the third of 24th solar terms according to the ancient Chinese calendar. It starts on March fifth and runs through March 19th.
Hinamatsuri 雛祭り ひなまつり
Hinamatsuri is held on March 3rd every. It is a special day for praying for the good health and growth of girls and displaying ornate doll arrangements.
雨水 うすい Usui
Usui is the second solar term out of 24 beginning on Chinese New Year. It begins in Japan on March 19th and ends March 5th.
