Autumnal Equinox Day
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Refimprove Template:Infobox holiday
Template:Nihongo is a public holiday in Japan that usually occurs on September 22 or 23, the date of Southward equinox in Japan Standard Time (autumnal equinox can occur on different dates for different time zones). Due to the necessity of recent astronomical measurements, the date of the holiday is not officially declared until February of the previous year. Autumnal Equinox Day became a public holiday in 1948. In 1947 and before, it was the date of Template:Nihongo, an event relating to Shinto. Like other holidays, this holiday was repackaged as a non-religious holiday for the sake of separation of religion and state in Japan's postwar constitution. This holiday is considered by many in Japan a good excuse to not go to work.
Recent Japanese equinoxes
Template:Recent Japanese equinoxes
Celebration
On this day, people will reconnect with their families by tending to the graves of ancestors and visiting shrines and temples. People also celebrate the good weather and autumn harvest by enjoying outdoor activities and eating Shūbun no Hi snacks such as botamochi– a ball of sweet rice in azuki paste.