●January
1 / New Year's Day -Gantan- (A National Holiday)
In order to pray for good health and prosperity for the coming
year, many people visit temples and shrines on this day and during
the first week of the New Year. Yamaguchi Daijingu is a particularly
popular place for people living in the city. On January 1, postcards
conveying New Year's greetings are delivered. On the night on
the 31st, many people climb mountains to watch the sunrise of
the New Year.
7 / Nanakusa Gayu
On this day, many people eat rice porridge with seven types of
greens. It is said that this meal cleans out the system after
eating many rich foods during the holiday season, and protects
one from illness throughtout the year.
Second Monday of January / Coming-of-Age Day (A National
Holiday)
People turning twenty years old in the year celebrate to become
adults on this day.
15 / Dondo Yaki
Decorations of New Year's are burned at temples on this day to
pray for good health and prosperity of the new year.
●February
3 / Setsubun
Saying “Devils out, Happiness in", people throw beans out
of their houses to welcome in good fortune, then they eat the
number of beans equal to their age to ensure good fortune.
11 / National Foundation Day (A National Holiday)
This national holiday was established in accordance with “Nihon
Shoki"which is the oldest extant of Japanese book.
Mid February / Plum-blossoms Watching
Plum blossoms can be seen at the following places in Yamaguchi
City: Futatsudo in Tenge-cho (40 trees), Kouzan Park, Kouzan-cho
(40 trees), Iwatsue in Miyano(400 trees, beginning of March)
28 / Takakurakou Shrine
A festival held to predict the harvest of grain crops for the
year. Many plants and small trees are sold in and around the shrine.
Takakurakou Shrine Yamaguchi-shi Kurokawa Tel:922-8535
