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Kung nasa Japan ka tuwing January, maaaring makakita ka ng maraming young people na naka-formal attire—mga babae na nakasuot ng colorful furisode kimono at mga lalaki na naka-suit o traditional hakama.

Most likely, ipinagdiriwang nila ang :

成人の日（せいじんのひ / Seijin no Hi）

Coming of Age Day

Isa itong national holiday sa Japan na kumikilala at nagbibigay-pugay sa mga kabataang pumapasok sa adulthood.

Para sa mga Filipinos living in Japan, magandang malaman kung ano ang kahulugan ng celebration na ito at kung bakit mahalaga ito sa Japanese culture.

1. What Is Coming of Age Day?

Ang Coming of Age Day ay national holiday sa Japan na ipinagdiriwang upang batiin at hikayatin ang mga young people habang pumapasok sila sa adulthood.

Sa Japanese :

成人（Seijin） – Adult

成人の日（Seijin no Hi） – Coming of Age Day

Hindi lang ito tungkol sa edad. Symbolic din ito ng pagpasok sa bagong stage ng buhay na may kasamang greater independence at responsibility.

2. When Is Coming of Age Day?

Coming of Age Day is celebrated every year on the :

Second Monday of January

Dahil national holiday ito, sarado ang maraming :

• Government offices

• Schools

• Banks and certain businesses

Public transportation, restaurants, malls, at tourist attractions ay maaaring bukas pero may holiday schedules.

3. Japan's Legal Age of Adulthood Is 18

Noong April 1, 2022, ibinaba ng Japan ang legal age of adulthood mula 20 years old to 18 years old.

Ibig sabihin, sa age 18, maaari nang gawin ng isang tao ang ilang legal actions nang hindi kailangan ng parental consent, tulad ng pagpasok sa certain contracts.

Pero may importanteng distinction :

Hindi ibig sabihin na lahat ng age restrictions ay naging 18.

Ang minimum age para sa pag-inom ng alcohol at paninigarilyo ay nananatiling 20.

4. Who Participates in Coming-of-Age Ceremonies?

Kahit naging 18 na ang legal adulthood, maraming municipalities sa Japan ang patuloy na nag-iinvite ng young people na magiging o naging 20 years old sa kanilang local celebration.

Dahil dito, maraming cities ang gumagamit na ngayon ng ibang pangalan para sa ceremony, tulad ng :

二十歳のつどい（Hatachi no Tsudoi）

Gathering of 20-Year-Olds

Ang exact eligibility, age, at ceremony name ay maaaring mag-iba depende sa municipality.

5. What Happens During the Ceremony?

Local governments usually organize ceremonies sa :

• City halls

• Community centers

• Convention halls

• Cultural centers

• Large public venues

During the ceremony, maaaring magkaroon ng :

• Speeches from local officials

• Messages of encouragement

• Performances

• Recognition of participants

• Photos

• Reunions with former classmates

Para sa maraming participants, reunion din ito dahil nakikita nilang muli ang mga kaibigan nila mula elementary o junior high school.

6. Why Do Women Wear Furisode?

Isa sa pinaka-visible na traditions ng Coming of Age Day ay ang furisode. 

振袖（Furisode） ay isang formal kimono na may mahahabang sleeves at traditionally worn by unmarried young women.

Karaniwang :

• Makulay

• Elaborate ang design

• May decorative obi

• Sinusuot kasama ang traditional accessories

Dahil expensive ang furisode, maraming families ang :

• Nagrerenta

• Gumagamit ng family kimono

• Nagbu-book ng complete kimono package

May iba ring nagpapa-professional hair and makeup para sa event.

7. What Do Men Wear?

Maraming young men ang nagsusuot ng :

• Formal business suit

• Tie

• Dress shoes

May ilan ding pumipili ng traditional attire tulad ng :

羽織袴（Haori Hakama）

Ito ay traditional formal Japanese clothing para sa men.

8. Is Traditional Clothing Required?

Hindi.

Hindi kailangang magsuot ng kimono o hakama para makilahok sa ceremony.

Formal Western-style clothing is also common.

Ang mahalaga ay appropriate at respectful ang attire para sa event.

9. Is Coming of Age Day Like a Birthday?

Not exactly.

Ang birthday ay personal celebration ng iyong actual birth date.

Ang Coming of Age Day naman ay isang national and community celebration para sa isang group ng young people entering a new stage of adulthood.

Kaya maraming participants mula sa parehong age group ang sabay-sabay na nagce-celebrate.

10. Can Foreign Residents Participate?

Foreign residents may also be eligible for local coming-of-age events depending on the municipality's rules.

Kung eligible ka at registered resident ka sa municipality, maaaring makatanggap ka ng :

案内状（Annaijō） – Invitation or information letter

Kung ikaw o anak mo ay nasa eligible age, check the website ng inyong city or ward office para malaman ang :

• Eligibility

• Registration

• Ceremony date

• Venue

• Required documents

• Dress recommendations

11. What If You Don't Receive an Invitation?

Kung sa tingin mo eligible ka pero wala kang natanggap na invitation :

Contact your :

• City Hall

• Ward Office

• Municipal education or youth department

Possible reasons include :

• Recently moved ka.

• Hindi updated ang address.

• Different municipality ang registration mo.

• May separate registration process.

Huwag agad isipin na hindi ka puwedeng sumali.

12. Coming of Age Day and Responsibility

Ang celebration ay hindi lamang tungkol sa magandang damit at pictures.

Ito rin ay reminder tungkol sa responsibilities ng adulthood.

Kasama rito ang pagiging responsible sa :

• Personal finances

• Contracts

• Work

• Education

• Relationships

• Community

• Personal decisions

Para sa young adults, ito ay symbolic moment para isipin ang kanilang future at role sa society.

13. Be Careful with Contracts at Age 18

Dahil legal adult na sa Japan ang isang tao mula age 18, mahalagang maging careful sa contracts.

Examples include :

• Mobile phone contracts

• Apartment agreements

• Loans

• Credit arrangements

• Subscription services

• Online purchases

Kapag legal adult ka na, maaaring pumasok sa contracts nang walang parental consent, at hindi basta-basta maaaring kanselahin ang agreement dahil lamang hindi pumayag ang magulang.

Kaya bago pumirma :

✔️ Basahin ang contract.

✔️ Intindihin ang total cost.

✔️ Check cancellation conditions.

✔️ Huwag magpadala sa sales pressure.

✔️ Magtanong kung may hindi naiintindihan.

14. Alcohol and Smoking Are Still 20+

Important reminder :

Kahit adult ka na legally at age 18 :

❌ Hindi ka pa maaaring uminom ng alcohol legally.

❌ Hindi ka pa maaaring manigarilyo legally.

The minimum age remains 20.

Ito ay importanteng distinction lalo na para sa foreign residents na maaaring iba ang rules sa kanilang home country.

15. How Should You Behave Around a Ceremony?

Kung makakita ka ng Coming of Age ceremony :

✔️ Be respectful.

✔️ Huwag harangan ang entrance ng venue.

✔️ Huwag basta kumuha ng close-up photos ng strangers nang walang permission.

✔️ Give participants space.

✔️ Follow venue rules.

Normal lang na maraming participants ang nagpi-picture at nagce-celebrate kasama ang kanilang friends at family.

Useful Japanese Words

成人の日（Seijin no Hi） – Coming of Age Day

成人（Seijin） – Adult

成年（Seinen） – Legal adulthood

二十歳（Hatachi） – 20 years old

二十歳のつどい（Hatachi no Tsudoi） – Gathering of 20-year-olds

成人式（Seijinshiki） – Coming-of-age ceremony

振袖（Furisode） – Formal long-sleeved kimono

袴（Hakama） – Traditional Japanese clothing

式典（Shikiten） – Ceremony

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

案内状（Annaijō） – Invitation or information letter

Coming of Age Day Checklist

Kung ikaw o family member mo ay eligible :

✔️ Check your municipality's eligibility rules.

✔️ Check the ceremony date and venue.

✔️ Read your invitation carefully.

✔️ Register in advance if required.

✔️ Prepare appropriate clothing.

✔️ Book kimono rental early if needed.

✔️ Plan transportation in advance.

✔️ Bring required documents or invitation.

✔️ Follow photography and venue rules.

✔️ Enjoy the celebration responsibly.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

✔️ Don't assume that turning 18 automatically means you'll attend a ceremony—municipalities may set their own eligibility age for local events.

✔️ If your child is approaching the eligible age, check your city or ward website several months in advance.

✔️ Kimono rentals can become busy around Coming of Age Day, so reserve early if you plan to wear one.

✔️ Remember the difference between legal adulthood at 18 and activities such as drinking and smoking, which remain restricted until age 20.

✔️ Even if you're not participating, Coming of Age Day is a great opportunity to learn about Japanese traditions and community life.

Coming of Age Day is an important Japanese tradition celebrating young people as they enter a new stage of life.

Beyond the beautiful furisode, formal suits, ceremonies, and photos, the occasion represents independence, responsibility, and the beginning of adulthood.

Para sa mga Filipinos living in Japan, understanding traditions like Seijin no Hi can help you appreciate Japanese culture and feel more connected to the community around you.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga Pilipino sa Japan hindi lamang sa mabilis at ligtas na remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical cultural guides upang mas maintindihan, ma-appreciate, at ma-enjoy ang buhay 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.