Autumnal Equinox Day

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In Japan, Autumnal Equinox Day (“Shuubun no hi”) usually takes place on September 22 or 23, when summer ends and autumn begins. Autumnal Equinox Day was first celebrated during the Meiji Period between 1868 and 1912, with its traditions based in Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. During this time, observants honored and worshiped past emperors and royal families, though traditions gradually shifted to include general respect for the dead and prayers for a good harvest—especially after the events of WWII, when Japan separated church and state.

Today, Shuubun coincides with the second Buddhist “higan,” which includes the three days before and three days after the equinox. This means that, for many, Shuubun’s modern customs are still based, in some part, on its religious origins, with families praying to their ancestors or visiting gravesites to burn incense, offer flowers, and clean tombstones. They may also eat “ohagi” or “botamochi,” a sweetened rice cake covered in bean paste or soybean flour.

Many choose to spend Autumnal Equinox Day in nature, looking for the blooming red spider lily (“higanbana”) in local parks. Some temples also hold Shuuban festivals, with some hosting large events and others preferring smaller, quieter celebrations.

How to prepare:

Our offices will be closed for Autumnal Equinox Day on [insert date]. Please turn on your out of office message prior to leaving for the holiday.

How we’re observing Autumnal Equinox Day at [company.name]

We’re closed on Autumnal Equinox Day, but in honor of the holiday, we’ll be hosting a few events at [company.name], including: 

• [Insert event]
• [Insert event]
• [Insert event]