National Foundation Day

National Foundation Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Saturday, February 11th. There are until the next observance.

Every year on February 11, National Foundation Day is observed. This festival reminds the Japanese to commemorate Emperor Jimmu’s founding of Japan in 660 B.C.National Foundation Day, also known as Kenkoku Kinen No Hi, is an excellent time to reflect on the struggles endured by our predecessors in laying the groundwork for the country. This event helps us feel patriotism and love for our country all over again.

📆 When is National Foundation Day?

This year, National Foundation Day is on February 11th. It is the 2nd Saturday in February; in 2024, it is on Sunday.

→ Did you know: Emperor Jimmu, Japan’s first Emperor, is supposed to have ascended to the throne here.

You can also explore all exciting things you didn’t know about and facts about February 11, 2023.

📜 History of National Foundation Day

Originally, National Foundation Day was celebrated with New Year’s Day, but the dates shifted somewhat when Japan switched from a lunar calendar to a Gregorian calendar under the Meiji government in 1873. As a result, the date was pushed up to February 11th.

Prior to World War II, the day was commemorated with zeal and patriotism. Many formal celebrations, parades, and fireworks displays were held throughout Japan. However, the holiday was abolished for a variety of reasons. After several surveys, popular requests, revisions, and laws, the holiday was reinstated, but it never regained its former prominence. Only a few ceremonies are staged in the country, but there is little evidence of the previous passion.

☑️ National Foundation Day facts

✅ It was built in 1889
Emperor Meiji erected the shrine in 1889.

✅ First four emperors’ mausoleums
The Kashihara-Jingu shrine contains mausoleums for Japan’s first four emperors.

✅ Importance of Kashihara-Jingu
Since ancient times, Kashihara has held cultural value, and it is today prominent in Japanese archaeology.

✨ Things to do on National Foundation Day

⚡ Take part in the National Foundation Day parade
Patriots waving flags and carrying’mikoshi,’ or portable shrines, to a neighboring shrine are included in the National Foundation Day march. You may learn about Japanese culture by watching the procession live or on TV.

⚡ Visit the Kashihara Shrine
The 1889 Kashihara Shrine was erected on the place where Jimmu became Emperor on February 11, 660 B.C. You may pay a visit to the shrine to learn more about its history and legend. There will also be parades and processions to celebrate Japan’s national pride.

⚡ Participate in Kigen-sai
Participate in the Kigen-sai, a National Foundation Day ceremony organized by shrines around the country, which features parade participants bringing mikoshi to the grounds while tens of thousands of spectators look on.

📅 National Foundation Day Observances

Explore all February holidays, including Federal and other Civic holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about National Foundation Day. So be sure to check back soon.