Yesterday (January 11) was Coming-of-Age Day.  It is the day to celebrate young people who have reached the age of 20.  In japan, the youths over 20 are regarded as adults, and from the age of 20 onwards, people have the right to vote, drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.  Local cities and communities hold Coming-of-Age ceremonies for those young people throughout Japan.  Many young women traditionally wear gorgeous kimonos with long sleeves called furisode on this day.

This national holiday used to be January 15, but from the year 2000, it changed to the second Monday of January so that people can have a long weekend.