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Isa sa mga unique national holidays sa Japan ay ang :

春分の日（しゅんぶんのひ / Shunbun no Hi）

Vernal Equinox Day

Ipinagdiriwang ito tuwing around March 20 or 21, depende sa astronomical calculation for that year. Japan’s holiday law describes the purpose of the day as honoring nature and caring for living things.

Para sa mga Filipinos living in Japan, magandang malaman kung bakit mahalaga ang holiday na ito, ano ang connection nito sa spring, at bakit may mga pamilyang bumibisita sa graves ng kanilang ancestors during this period.

1. What Is Vernal Equinox Day?

Ang Vernal Equinox Day ay isang Japanese national holiday na nagmamarka sa panahon ng spring equinox.

Sa Japanese :

春分（Shunbun） – Vernal or spring equinox

春分の日（Shunbun no Hi） – Vernal Equinox Day

Under Japan’s national holiday law, ang purpose nito ay :

“To praise nature and show compassion for living things.”

2. What Is the Spring Equinox?

Ang spring equinox ay astronomical event kapag ang araw ay tumatawid sa celestial equator.

Around this time, ang haba ng daytime at nighttime ay halos magkapantay.

It also marks the seasonal transition toward spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Sa Japan, this period is associated with :

• Warmer weather

• Longer daylight

• Flowers beginning to bloom

• The start of spring activities

3. Why Does the Date Change?

Unlike holidays such as New Year’s Day or National Foundation Day, walang permanently fixed calendar date ang Vernal Equinox Day.

Usually it falls on :

March 20 or March 21

The exact holiday date is determined based on astronomical calculations and is officially announced for each year.

For example :

• 2026 – March 20

• 2027 – March 21

Kaya magandang i-check ang official Japanese holiday calendar bawat taon.

4. What Is Higan?

The equinox period is closely associated with a Buddhist tradition called :

彼岸（ひがん / Higan）

Higan is observed around both the spring and autumn equinoxes.

During this period, maraming Japanese families ang :

• Visit family graves

• Clean tombstones

• Offer flowers

• Burn incense

• Pray for deceased relatives

• Spend time remembering ancestors

The spring observance is commonly called :

春彼岸（Haru Higan） – Spring Higan

5. Do People Visit Cemeteries?

Yes, many families visit ancestral graves during Higan.

A typical grave visit may include :

• Cleaning the grave

• Removing weeds

• Replacing old flowers

• Offering fresh flowers

• Offering incense

• Quietly praying or remembering relatives

Hindi naman lahat ng Japanese families ginagawa ito, pero common tradition ito during the equinox period.

6. What Is Ohakamairi?

Visiting a family grave is called :

お墓参り（Ohakamairi）

Breaking it down :

お墓（Ohaka） – Grave

参り（Mairi） – Visit, often with a religious or respectful meaning

You may hear coworkers or friends say that they are going home to visit family graves during the holiday period.

7. What Food Is Associated with Spring Higan?

One traditional food associated with spring Higan is :

ぼたもち（Botamochi）

It is usually made from :

• Glutinous rice

• Sweet red bean paste

You may see botamochi in :

• Supermarkets

• Convenience stores

• Wagashi shops

during the season.

A similar sweet eaten during autumn Higan is often called :

おはぎ（Ohagi）

The names are traditionally associated with seasonal flowers.

8. Is It Related to Cherry Blossom Season?

Vernal Equinox Day happens around the beginning of Japan’s spring season, so it may overlap with early cherry blossom activity in some areas.

However :

Vernal Equinox Day is not a cherry blossom holiday.

Cherry blossom viewing is called  :

花見（Hanami）

The timing of sakura depends on :

• Region

• Temperature

• Weather

• Elevation

So cherry blossoms may already be blooming in warmer areas while colder regions may still be waiting.

9. Do People Have the Day Off?

Because Vernal Equinox Day is an official national holiday, many :

• Government offices

• Schools

• Banks

• Public offices

are closed.

However, many private businesses remain open.

Workers in :

• Restaurants

• Hotels

• Retail

• Hospitals

• Transportation

• Convenience stores

• Factories

may still be scheduled to work.

Always check your company calendar.

10. Does Working on This Day Mean Extra Pay?

Not automatically.

A national holiday is not necessarily the same as your legally designated statutory holiday under Japanese labor rules.

Whether additional pay applies depends on :

• Your employment contract

• Work schedule

• Statutory rest day

• Working hours

• Company rules

Kung hindi ka sigurado, check your contract or ask HR.

11. What About Trains and Buses?

Public transportation generally continues operating.

However, trains and buses may follow :

土休日ダイヤ（Dokyūjitsu Daiya）

Weekend and holiday timetable

Kung papasok ka sa work o may appointment, check the schedule beforehand.

12. Are Shops and Restaurants Open?

Many :

• Shopping malls

• Supermarkets

• Convenience stores

• Restaurants

• Tourist attractions

remain open during Vernal Equinox Day.

Because it is a holiday, some shopping areas and tourist destinations may actually be busier than usual.

13. A Day to Appreciate Nature

Aside from family traditions, the official meaning of Vernal Equinox Day puts a strong emphasis on nature and living things.

For many people, it can simply be a good day to :

• Take a walk

• Visit a park

• Go hiking

• Enjoy seasonal flowers

• Spend time outdoors

• Appreciate the change of seasons

After a long winter, spring weather can feel like a very welcome reset.

14. Spring Cleaning and Seasonal Change

The holiday also arrives at a time when many people are preparing for the transition into a new season.

March is especially important in Japan because :

• The school year ends.

• Many companies approach the end of the fiscal year.

• People move apartments.

• Graduations take place.

• New jobs and school terms often begin in April.

So the equinox falls during a naturally busy period of transition.

15. Vernal Equinox vs. Autumnal Equinox Day

Japan also has :

秋分の日（Shūbun no Hi）

Autumnal Equinox Day

While Vernal Equinox Day focuses legally on appreciating nature and living things, Autumnal Equinox Day is officially described as a day to honor ancestors and remember those who have passed away.

Both periods are associated with Higan traditions.

Useful Japanese Words

春分の日（Shunbun no Hi） – Vernal Equinox Day

春分（Shunbun） – Spring equinox

春（Haru） – Spring

彼岸（Higan） – Equinox-period Buddhist observance

春彼岸（Haru Higan） – Spring Higan

お墓（Ohaka） – Grave

お墓参り（Ohakamairi） – Visiting a grave

先祖（Senzo） – Ancestors

自然（Shizen） – Nature

ぼたもち（Botamochi） – Traditional sweet rice and red-bean food

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

Vernal Equinox Day Checklist

If you're living in Japan :

• Check the official date each year.

• Check whether your workplace is open.

• Check holiday train and bus schedules.

• Expect government offices and many bank branches to be closed.

• Plan official paperwork before or after the holiday.

• Be aware that some families may visit ancestral graves during Higan.

• Expect parks and tourist areas to be busier if the weather is good.

• Enjoy the changing spring season respectfully.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

• Add Japan’s national holidays to your phone calendar.

• Don't assume Vernal Equinox Day always falls on March 20—the date can change.

• If coworkers mention Higan or visiting family graves, you'll now know what they're referring to.

• Take advantage of the holiday to explore parks, gardens, or seasonal flowers if you're off work.

• Check opening hours before going to banks, government offices, or other public services.

• If you're working that day, confirm your schedule and applicable pay rules with your employer.

Vernal Equinox Day reflects something deeply connected to life in Japan: appreciation for the changing seasons.

It marks the transition into spring and is officially dedicated to honoring nature and caring for living things. At the same time, the surrounding Higan period carries traditions of remembering family members and ancestors.

For Filipinos living in Japan, understanding holidays like Shunbun no Hi can help you better appreciate the connection between Japanese daily life, nature, family traditions, and the seasons.

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 para mas maintindihan, ma-appreciate, at ma-enjoy ang traditions at everyday life 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.