A classic event
Vernal Equinox Day
This holiday falls on or around March 22. On this day, the sun crosses the equator and the length of night and day becomes equal.
The week with the equinox day in the middle is called eHiganf (The land
across the bank), when Buddhist services are performed for the spirits
of their dead ancestors. People clean the tombs, offer new flowers and
incense, and pay homage to their ancestral tombs. They also offer Higan
dumplings and Botamochi on their household altars.
Buddha's Birthday
April 8 is Buddha's Birthday or the Flower Festival. To honor this day, in many Buddhist temples, miniature flower temples are built and a small copper statue of Buddha is placed in each of them. The statue is represented as pointing toward heaven with his right hand, and with his left hand, pointing to the earth.
People pour sweet tea (Amacha) made from a herb over the statue three times, and pay their homage.
eBonf or Feast of Lanterns
It is held from July 13 to 16, or from August 13 to 16, depending on the area. It is a Buddhist festival in honor of the spirits of the dead, who return once a year to visit their families.
People go to the tombs of their ancestors and invite the spirits to their homes. Many lanterns are lit to guide the spirits. Religious services are held at all the temples, and people pray in front of the home altar, offering flowers and incense. To entertain the spirits of their ancestors, the Bon-odori, a country dance, is performed almost everywhere in Japan.
Autumnal Equinox Day
This holiday falls on or around September 22. This day is the counterpart of Vernal Equinox Day, and on this day the sun crosses the equator again, making night and day of equal length.
Just as in spring, in Buddhist temples, special services for ancestors are performed, and people clean the tombs of their ancestors and pay homage to their spirits, offering flowers and incense.
There is a popular saying in Japan, eNo heat or cold lasts beyond the Equinox Dayf.
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