Emperor's Birthday

The Emperor's Birthday is a national public holiday in Japan, celebrated on 23 February to mark the birthday of the reigning emperor, currently Emperor Naruhito. On this day, the Tokyo Imperial Palace opens its gates for a rare public ceremony, where citizens and visitors offer birthday greetings and wave Japanese flags.

• The Imperial Palace opens its inner grounds to the public only twice a year
• The emperor and imperial family appear on the palace balcony to greet well-wishers
• Visitors chant 'banzai' and wave Japanese flags in unison
• The holiday date changes with each new emperor's birthday
• A special TV broadcast features the emperor's message to the nation

What it is

The Emperor's Birthday is one of Japan's most significant national holidays, celebrating the birth of the reigning emperor. It is a day when the country comes together to express respect and good wishes to the emperor, who is seen as a symbol of the nation and its unity. The highlight of the day is the rare opportunity for the public to enter the inner grounds of the Tokyo Imperial Palace, where the emperor and his family appear on a balcony to receive greetings. For many, it is a moment of shared national pride and a chance to participate in a tradition that connects the present with centuries of imperial history.

Where it comes from

The tradition of celebrating the emperor's birthday dates back to at least the 8th century, with records from Emperor Kōnin's reign in 775 CE describing feasts and rituals on this day. The holiday was known as Tenchōsetsu (天長節) until 1948, a name rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy and expressing hopes for the emperor's longevity. Over the centuries, the date and form of the celebration have changed with each emperor, but the core idea of honouring the sovereign remains. After World War II, the holiday was renamed Tennō tanjōbi and became a public holiday, with the date shifting to match the birthday of each new emperor.

How it is celebrated

On 23 February, the Tokyo Imperial Palace opens its usually restricted inner grounds to the public for a ceremony known as Ippan-sanga. Visitors, both Japanese and foreign, gather in orderly lines, receive small Japanese flags, and are guided across the Nijubashi bridge into the palace grounds. At a set time, the emperor, empress, and other members of the imperial family appear on the balcony of the Chōwaden reception pavilion. The crowd waves flags and together chants 'banzai', wishing the emperor long life. After a brief greeting from the emperor, the group is ushered out to make way for the next, allowing thousands to take part. Many citizens also write letters of congratulations and display the national flag at home. In the evening, a special television broadcast features the emperor's message to the nation.

Joining in

If you wish to experience the Emperor's Birthday, head to the Tokyo Imperial Palace on 23 February. Arrive early to join the lines at the Nijubashi bridge, where police and palace staff manage the orderly flow of visitors. Admission is free, and you may receive a small Japanese flag to wave during the ceremony. Expect a respectful, calm atmosphere, with crowds made up mostly of adults and elderly people, though foreign visitors are welcome. The event is brief but memorable, offering a rare glimpse into Japan's imperial traditions and a sense of shared national celebration.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article The Emperor's Birthday, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• The Emperor's Birthday on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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