Coming of Age Day 成人の日 Seijin no hi

This day celebrates all young adults who turn or are turning 20 years of age during the year. 20 is considered the year when children become adults. They are allowed to drink, vote, and smoke. haha
Coming of Age Day or Seijin no hi ('seijin' meaning adult or to come of age, and 'hi' meaning day) comes every year on the second Monday in January. The girls dress in extravagant kimonos while the boys wear suits. Everyone flocks to the nearest shrine, praying for their futures, while picking their omikuji (a sheet of paper that tells them what their fortune for the year will be).

My omikuji.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine by one of my JTEs in Kurume. She helped me to read my fortune, which advised me to always ask questions because I get lost a lot when I travel. It also predicted a new love interest....hmm....