Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today’s topic is one of the national holidays in Japan, Shunbun-no-hi (Vernal Equinox Day).
Shunbun (春分) is when the sun reaches the vernal equinox, and it’s the day when day and night are of equal length. It is usually around March 21st and the day is designated a national holiday. It falls during the week of higan (彼岸) in japan, which means the next world for Buddhists. Since this is beleived to be when the spirits of ancestors return to this world, people visit their family graves, clean them, offer flowers and burn incense.

This holiday was yesterday (March 20) in this year, and many people went out to enjoy watching cherry blossoms. Here in Fukuoka, cherry blossoms were in half bloom. Therefore, cherry blossoms will be in full bloom this weekend, I believe. More people will enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms and also they will have parties under cherry trees.

*Let’s learn kanji!
桜 (さくら)：　cherry blossoms
花見 (はなみ)：　cherry blossoms viewing

March 21st News, from NILS Japanese language school.