Autumnal Equinox Day marks the moment when day and night are nearly equal in length. It is a time to honor nature, express gratitude for the harvest and pay respects to ancestors. Many families visit graves, offer food and flowers, and spend time together. The day blends Buddhist and Shinto traditions, symbolizing balance, harmony and the changing of seasons.

When is Autumnal Equinox Day?

Autumnal Equinox Day is celebrated in Japan around September 22 or 23 each year.

The following is the list of Autumnal Equinox Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Autumnal Equinox Day?

Autumnal Equinox Day is a Japanese national holiday that reflects the country's deep reverence for nature, family, and the rhythm of the seasons. The holiday occurs around September 22 or 23, when day and night are nearly equal, symbolizing balance and harmony.

Its origins trace back to ancient Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Long before it became a public holiday, the equinox was observed as a sacred time to honor ancestors and nature. During the Heian period (794–1185), the imperial court held ceremonies marking the equinoxes as times of gratitude for harvests and remembrance of the deceased.

During the Meiji era (1868–1912), the holiday was formalized as an imperial religious observance called Shūki Koreisai (秋季皇霊祭), a ceremony in which the Emperor honored past emperors and imperial ancestors. However, after World War II, Japan's new constitution required the separation of religion and state. Thus, in 1948, the holiday was redefined and secularized under its current name as part of the Public Holiday Law.

The modern purpose of Autumnal Equinox Day is "to honor nature and show love for living things". Yet, many of its traditional customs remain. It falls during Higan, a Buddhist week of reflection observed during both the spring and autumn equinoxes. Families visit ancestral graves, clean tombstones, offer flowers and seasonal foods and pray for peace and balance.

Today, Autumnal Equinox Day represents a blend of ancient spirituality and modern appreciation, a quiet, reflective day that connects the Japanese people with both nature's cycles and their familial roots.