Coming of age ceremonies in Japan

This ceremony is for those people who are going to turn 20 years old during that year. In Japan, the age of 20 years old means that they become an adult. As well as having responsibilities, they can drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and also vote.

To celebrate the new adults, there is a ceremony which takes place on the second Monday in January. Coming of age ceremonies are usually held in public halls and normally young people attend their hometown's celebration therefore, they get a chance to meet friends who haven't seen for a long time. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of attendance.

The girls wear traditional Japanese outfits called " fu-ri-so-de" which is for an unmarried woman and it's difficult to get dressed by themselves, so they go to a beauty salon to have it put on and have their hair styled before the ceremony. These outfits are so expensive and we don't have many opportunities to wear them, therefore, you can rent them or there're some people who wear their mother's " fu-ri-so-de".

At the party, a representative of the new adults presents their goals and a mayor of the city gives a speech. After the ceremony has finished, it is common for everyone to go drinking with their friends as a proof of being adult.