The
age of 20 is significant in Japan because that’s the age at which it
becomes legal to drink, smoke and vote, so the day is seen as a
threshold between youth and becoming a responsible adult.
Women
have been known to book appointments a year in advance to have their
hair and make-up done and to have a kimono fitted – a notoriously fiddly
task.
Beauty parlours stay open all night in order to handle the rush for styling.
While most women wear kimonos, men tend to wear business suits.
Ceremonies are held nationwide at local town halls and offices, with many attending parties afterwards with family and friends.
The
Coming of Age tradition - a celebration for those who turned 20 in the
past year - dates back to 714 when a young prince kitted himself out in
new robes and had a fresh haircut to celebrate leaving his teen years
behind.
The number of people who celebrated their coming of age was 1.26 million this year, an increase of 50,000 from 2014
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