Coming-of-age Day in Japan is a sure sign of winter, arriving after New Year’s celebrations and before the cherry blossom parties in early spring.
The national holiday is held on the second Monday of January. People seem to admire the elaborate outfits that young people wear to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. Although the age of puberty has been lowered from 20 to 18 years, many participants are still 20 years old.
Men usually wear sober black suits, but women shine in kimonos woven with bright patterns – often flowers – and a bright array of colours, with elaborate hairstyles and luxurious handbags.
Crowds of young people on Monday wandered the streets of Yokohama, a city that is part of greater Tokyo. Women wore fur masks to protect against the cold. There were many big smiles, conscious poses, selfies and hugs.
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