Japan’s Coming of Age Day is a positive signal of winter, arriving after New 12 months celebrations and earlier than the cherry blossom events of early spring.
The nationwide vacation is held on the second Monday of January. Folks end up to admire the flowery outfits younger individuals don to rejoice the transition from childhood to maturity. Though the age of maturity has been lowered from 20 to 18, most of the individuals are nonetheless 20 years outdated.
The boys normally put on sober black fits, however the girls are resplendent in kimonos woven in lustrous patterns — typically of flowers — and a shiny array of colors, many with elaborately constructed hairdos and fancy purses.
Throngs of younger individuals milled about on Monday on the streets of Yokohama, a metropolis that types a part of Higher Tokyo. The ladies wore fur muffs to maintain off the nippiness. There have been many large smiles and self-conscious poses, selfies, and hugs.