Origin & history
Autumnal Equinox Day has its origins in ancient Japanese agricultural and Shinto practices, where the equinox marked a time for giving thanks for the autumn harvest. With the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century, the holiday became intertwined with the Buddhist festival of Higan, meaning 'the other shore,' which emphasizes visiting graves and remembering ancestors. During the Meiji period (1868–1912), the equinox was established as an imperial ancestor memorial day, and after World War II, it was secularized as a national holiday in 1948 under the postwar constitution.
Customs & traditions
On Autumnal Equinox Day, Japanese families traditionally visit and clean their ancestors' graves, offering flowers, incense, and food such as rice balls and seasonal fruits. Many also visit Buddhist temples to pray and participate in memorial services. A customary food associated with the day is ohagi (bottamochi), a sweet rice ball coated with bean paste or soybean flour, which is eaten to honor the dead and mark the harvest.
Why it is celebrated
Autumnal Equinox Day is a time for honoring ancestors, reflecting on the changing seasons, and appreciating nature's balance. It serves as a moment to pause from busy modern life, reconnect with family and heritage, and express gratitude for the harvest and the cycle of life.