National Holiday in Japan -Culture Day-
The article will give you a little insight into Culture Day.
◆When is Culture Day?
Culture Day is celebrated every year on November 3.
◆Since when does Culture Day exist?
Culture Day was established in 1948.
◆What is Culture Day?
It is celebrated to pay respects to the traditional Japanese culture and to promote the notion of peace and freedom.
Each year the Japanese Emperor awards the “Order of Culture”, or Bunka Kunsho in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace.
The order is recognized as the highest culture award for people who have dedicated themselves to promoting Japanese culture and who have excelled academically.
The recipient receives the award directly from the Emperor by hand delivery.
Numerous Japanese Nobel laureates have also been awarded the Bunka Kunsho.
◆What do people actually do on Culture Day?
It is meant to be a day for promoting cultural progress, so people can experience music and art, and learn about the culture that has been handed down from generation to generation. The week that includes Culture Day is called "Education and Culture Week," in which various events are being held related to these activities.
◆Event information①
Many educational institutions hold festivals on Culture Day where they present dramas, musical performances, and works of art. If the school is open to the public, it is possible to visit. Might be fun to go!
◆Event information②
On Culture Day, many cultural facilities such as art galleries and museums will offer free admission in order to encourage people to become more familiar with culture. (*Information as of 2022)
Check out some of them below.
◎The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Address: 3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8322
https://www.momat.go.jp/english/
Address: 7-7 Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
https://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/
Address: 13-9 Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712
https://www.tnm.jp/?lang=en
Address: 3-7-6 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0031
https://www.nfaj.go.jp/english/
Address: 1-3-3 Suido, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8531
https://www.printing-museum.org/en/
https://www.tokyoartbeat.com/articles/-/culture-day_2022-11 (Japanese)
※Due to the current situation, the opening hours and the program of events at the facility may change. Inform yourselves in advance.
If you are interested in Japanese culture and history, take advantage of Bunka no Hi; a visit to these places would be worth it! There are certainly many new things to discover!