Coming-of-Age is a young person’s transition from adolescence to adulthood. Since 1948, the age of majority in Japan has been 20; persons under 20 are not permitted to smoke, drink, or vote. Coming-of-age ceremonies, known as “seijin shiki”, are held on the second Monday of January, called the “Seijin no hi”. The ceremony is generally held in the morning at local city offices and all young adults who maintain residency in the area are invited to attend. Government officials give speeches, and small presents are handed out to the new adults.

Many women celebrate this day by wearing a “furisode”:a style of kimono with long sleeves that drape down. Since most are unable to put on a kimono by themselves due to the intricacies involved in putting one on, many choose to visit a beauty salon to dress and to set their hair. A full set of formal clothing is expensive, so it is usually either inherited or rented rather than being bought specially for the occasion. Men sometimes also wear traditional dress: dark kimono with hakama.

So, on Sunday we went to the Hachimangu Shrine and saw some beautifully dressed women. They go there to ask for blessings. But because still of the New Year a lot of people visited Kamakura that day.

A nice sunny cold day for this Coming-of-Age day.

The back with the sash “Obi” and the front of the dress.

Three beautiful women/girls with their handbags and “Zori” slippers.