Autumnal Equinox Day in Ikaho Onsen
We are now in the second half of September, and today, September 23, is Autumnal Equinox Day, a national holiday in Japan.
Under Japan’s National Holidays Act, the date is officially designated as the day of the autumnal equinox. The exact date is determined each year based on astronomical data prepared by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
For the next three years, Autumnal Equinox Day falls on the following dates:
- 2026: Wednesday, September 23
- 2027: Thursday, September 23
- 2028: Friday, September 22
Around this time, Japan also observes the autumn Higan (お彼岸) period, when people traditionally visit family graves and pay respects to their ancestors.
As the autumnal equinox approaches, the summer heat gradually begins to ease, making the days more comfortable. It is also a season when we can begin to feel the arrival of autumn here in Ikaho.