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September in Japan isn't only about cooler weather, autumn food, and leaves slowly changing color. It also brings an important national holiday :

秋分の日（しゅうぶんのひ / Shūbun no Hi）

Autumnal Equinox Day

For Filipinos living and working in Japan, this holiday is worth understanding because it combines seasonal change, family traditions, and remembrance of ancestors.

In 2026, Autumnal Equinox Day falls on :

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Japan's official purpose for the holiday is to honor one's ancestors and remember those who have passed away.

1. What Is Autumnal Equinox Day?

Autumnal Equinox Day is called :

秋分の日（Shūbun no Hi）

It is one of Japan's official national holidays.

Unlike holidays that always fall on a fixed calendar date, Autumnal Equinox Day is based on the autumnal equinox date.

In 2026, it is September 23.

2. What Does “Shūbun no Hi” Mean?

Let's break down the Japanese :

秋（Aki / Shū） – Autumn

分（Bun） – Division

日（Hi） – Day

秋分（Shūbun） refers to the autumnal equinox.

It marks an important seasonal transition from summer toward autumn.

3. Why Is It a National Holiday?

Autumnal Equinox Day has been a national holiday since Japan's current national-holiday system was established in 1948.

The official purpose is :

To honor ancestors and remember those who have passed away.

The Japanese government also explains that the holiday was adopted as a seasonal counterpart to Vernal Equinox Day（春分の日 / Shunbun no Hi）.

So while the equinox is an astronomical event, the Japanese holiday also carries an important cultural meaning.

4. Is Day and Night Exactly the Same Length?

You'll often hear :

“During the equinox, daytime and nighttime are equal.”

That's a useful simplified explanation, but in actual observation, they aren't necessarily exactly 12 hours each because of factors such as how sunrise and sunset are defined and atmospheric refraction.

For everyday understanding, though, the equinox represents the point when day and night are roughly equal in length.

After the autumnal equinox, Japan gradually moves toward :

• Later sunrises

• Earlier sunsets

• Longer nights

• Cooler autumn weather

5. What Is Ohigan?

Around the equinox, you may hear the word :

お彼岸（Ohigan）

Ohigan is a traditional period associated with remembering and honoring ancestors.

There are two Ohigan periods each year :

Spring Ohigan – Around the Vernal Equinox

Autumn Ohigan – Around the Autumnal Equinox

The autumn Ohigan period centers on Autumnal Equinox Day and traditionally covers the three days before and three days after it—a seven-day period in total.

6. Visiting Family Graves

One common Ohigan tradition is :

お墓参り（Ohaka Mairi）

Visiting a family grave

Families may visit the cemetery to :

• Clean the grave

• Place flowers

• Offer incense

• Offer food or water

• Pray

• Remember deceased family members

For Filipinos, the feeling may be somewhat familiar.

Parang visiting the cemetery during Undas—although the Japanese traditions and religious background are different.

The common idea is :

Remembering family members who have passed away.

7. What Is Ohagi?

Another thing you may see around this season is :

おはぎ（Ohagi）

Ohagi is a traditional Japanese sweet commonly made from glutinous rice and sweet red-bean paste.

It is traditionally associated with the autumn Ohigan period and may be eaten or offered in remembrance of ancestors.

The name is commonly associated with :

萩（Hagi） – Bush clover

which blooms during autumn.

So if you suddenly notice Ohagi appearing prominently in supermarkets around September, now you know why.

8. Is Autumnal Equinox Day a Religious Holiday?

Japan's official national holiday itself is not simply a religious observance.

However, many traditions practiced around Ohigan have Buddhist and ancestral-remembrance connections.

Different families observe the period differently.

Some may visit graves or temples, while others may simply enjoy the national holiday with family.

As a foreign resident, you don't need to participate.

But understanding the tradition helps you appreciate why the day can be meaningful to Japanese families.

9. What Do People Usually Do?

There's no single required activity for Autumnal Equinox Day.

People may :

• Visit family graves

• Remember deceased relatives

• Visit a temple

• Spend time with family

• Eat traditional food such as Ohagi

• Enjoy nature

• Take a short trip

• Relax at home

For others, it's simply a welcome day off.

10. Does Autumnal Equinox Day Mean No Work?

Not necessarily.

It is a Japanese national holiday, but that doesn't automatically mean every employee receives the day off.

Your actual schedule depends on your :

• Employment contract

• Company calendar

• Shift

• Industry

• Workplace rules

People working in industries such as :

• Healthcare

• Elderly care

• Hotels

• Restaurants

• Convenience stores

• Retail

• Transportation

may still be scheduled to work.

Always check your company calendar.

11. Do You Automatically Get Holiday Pay?

Not necessarily.

A Japanese national holiday（国民の祝日） is not automatically the same thing as your legally designated statutory holiday under labor rules.

Whether additional pay applies depends on your work arrangement and whether the day qualifies as a statutory holiday or another type of scheduled workday under your employment conditions.

If you're unsure, check :

• Your employment contract

• Company work calendar

• Work rules

• HR/payroll

Don't assume:

“Red day sa calendar = automatic double pay.”

Japan doesn't work exactly like the Philippine holiday-pay system.

12. Government Offices and Banks

Because Autumnal Equinox Day is a national holiday, many :

• Government offices

• Bank branches

• Public administrative counters

are generally closed.

If you need to handle something at :

• City Hall

• Immigration-related offices

• Tax offices

• Bank counters

• Other government agencies

check their schedule and plan ahead.

13. ATMs and Online Banking May Still Work

Even when bank branches are closed, many :

• ATMs

• Mobile banking services

• Online banking services

may remain available.

However, processing schedules, fees, maintenance periods, and transaction availability can differ during holidays.

If you're making an important payment or transfer, don't assume everything will process exactly like a normal weekday.

14. Plan Your Remittance Ahead

If your family in the Philippines needs money around the Japanese holiday, it's better to plan your remittance early.

Especially if the money is for :

• Medicine

• Rent

• Tuition

• Bills

• Household expenses

• Emergencies

Check :

When will I send it?

When will the beneficiary actually receive it?

Is the payout method available during the holiday?

A little planning can prevent unnecessary stress.

15. Expect More Travelers

National holidays can mean more people traveling.

Depending on the year and surrounding holidays, you may notice increased activity at :

• Shinkansen stations

• Train stations

• Airports

• Expressways

• Tourist attractions

If you're planning a trip, book transportation and accommodation early when necessary.

16. Autumn Weather Is Starting

By late September, many parts of Japan begin feeling more comfortable after the summer heat.

But temperatures vary significantly depending on where you live.

Hokkaido can already feel quite cool, while some areas farther south may still feel warm.

This is also a good time to start preparing for :

• Cooler mornings and evenings

• Earlier sunsets

• Changing weather

• Possible typhoon activity

Keep checking local weather forecasts.

17. Enjoying Nature During Autumn

Autumn is one of Japan's most beautiful seasons.

While the famous autumn leaves may not yet be at their peak everywhere in September, you can start enjoying :

• Susuki grass

• Seasonal flowers

• Chestnuts

• Sweet potatoes

• Autumn fruits

• Hiking

• Parks and gardens

If you're hiking or traveling outdoors, check the weather and sunset time before leaving.

18. Respect Cemetery Etiquette

If you're invited to join a Japanese friend, partner, or family member during Ohaka Mairi, observe respectfully.

Some simple etiquette :

• Keep your voice low.

• Don't disturb other families.

• Follow your host's lead.

• Don't touch other families' graves or offerings.

• Dispose of trash properly.

• Ask before taking photographs.

You don't need to know every custom perfectly.

Being respectful goes a long way.

Useful Japanese Words

秋分の日（Shūbun no Hi） – Autumnal Equinox Day

秋（Aki） – Autumn

秋分（Shūbun） – Autumnal equinox

お彼岸（Ohigan） – Equinox-period tradition of honoring ancestors

お墓（Ohaka） – Grave

お墓参り（Ohaka Mairi） – Visiting a grave

先祖（Senzo） – Ancestors

おはぎ（Ohagi） – Traditional rice and sweet red-bean confection

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

紅葉（Kōyō） – Autumn leaves / changing leaf colors

Autumnal Equinox Day Checklist for OFWs

• Remember that September 23, 2026 is Autumnal Equinox Day.

• Check your work schedule.

• Don't automatically assume you have the day off.

• Check your company's holiday-pay rules if you're working.

• Complete important government procedures before the holiday when possible.

• Check bank and transaction schedules.

• Plan important remittances ahead.

• Expect possible holiday crowds when traveling.

• Check the weather before outdoor activities.

• Be respectful if participating in Ohigan or cemetery traditions.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

If you remember only three things :

1. Shūbun no Hi is a national holiday.

In 2026, it falls on September 23.

2. It's connected with remembering ancestors.

Japan officially describes the holiday as a day to honor ancestors and remember those who have passed away.

3. Ohigan is an important tradition around this period.

Many families visit graves and remember their ancestors during the autumn Ohigan period.

So if your Japanese coworker mentions :

“Ohiganだから、お墓参りに行きます。”

They're basically saying:

“It's Ohigan, so I'm going to visit the family grave.”

Autumnal Equinox Day（秋分の日 / Shūbun no Hi） is more than another red date on Japan's calendar.

It's a national holiday connected to the changing seasons and, importantly, honoring ancestors and remembering people who have passed away.

For Filipino OFWs, learning about traditions such as Ohigan, Ohaka Mairi, and Ohagi gives you another window into Japanese family life and culture.

And in some ways, the meaning isn't so far from home.

Different traditions, different country—but the idea of remembering and honoring the people who came before us is something both Japanese and Filipino families can understand.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga OFW sa Japan hindi lamang sa remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical information tungkol sa Japanese holidays, culture, work, at everyday life para mas maging informed, prepared, at confident habang naninirahan sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.