Today is Seijin no Hi or Coming of Age Day, the day when young men and women who turned or will turn twenty between 1st April of the previous year and 31st March of the current one are officially welcomed into adult society.

As adults they are now free to vote, purchase and consume alcohol, and marry without the consent of their parents — as well as duty bound to comply with the rules of civil society.

The tradition surrounding Seijin no Hi stemmed from ancient Japan when a young emperor donned new robes and a tonsure to mark his passage into adulthood. These days, participants wear their best furisode (or long-sleeved ladies kimono) and suits or hakama (or men’s trousered kimono) to take part in ceremonies organized by their local governments.

Most Seijin no Hi ceremonies are simple affairs involving speeches from local officials at the grounds of City Hall. However, some areas hold elaborate affairs in theme parks and heritage sites to celebrate Coming of Age.

The newly minted adults also take matters into their own hands and indulge in their very first drunken party 😀 It is not unusual to see groups of elaborately-dressed youngsters stumbling their way home after a night of debauchery.