What is celebrated on Culture Day in Japan?

Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka no Hi) is the national event to celebrate traditional Japanese culture and promote the love of freedom and peace enshrined in the Japanese constitution. It has been a public holiday since 1948 although it was officially adopted in 1946 after World War II.

It is celebrated annually in Japan on November 3 for the purpose of promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavor. Festivities typically include art exhibits, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.

Also, November 3 is an important date in Japan as it marks the birth date of Emperor Meiji, who ruled Japan from 1867 until his death in 1912. From 1927 to 1947, November 3 was a national holiday called “Meiji Setsu”, in honor of the late Emperor.

Throughout the rest of the country, festivals and parades are held celebrating traditional Japanese customs. It’s a great day to immerse yourself in Japan’s rich history and culture as most museums in Tokyo and the rest of the country are open for free on Culture Day .

Schools in Japan usually have their “Culture Day” around these dates and they are called “Bunkasai” 文化祭 (Cultural Festivals) Clubs and classes display their achievements and such. You can also find yakisoba shelves, the famous “maid cafe”, houses of terror, etc. All money raised from these booths is used to purchase school supplies or decorations and gifts for graduating seniors that school year.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, this day is normally a clear day. Perhaps it is a blessing to celebrate this day, although in the photo above it turned out to be rather an exception in the good weather TT