『KEIROU-NO-HI』 is a respect-for-the-aged-day, seniors' day, grandparents' day, and elder person's day internationally. It is a day to show our respects to elder people who have had great effects and efforts to societies for a long time. people in Japan commonly have a meal with families to thank their grandparents and relatives. This event first started in Japan and spread to the world.

There are 2 origins of 『KEIROU-NO-HI』.

Origin 1
: The day SHOTOKU-TAISHI (historical legend) built 『HIDEN-IN』 (temple) in the site of SHITENNOU-JI (temple)
The historical legend SHOTOKU-TAISHI based on Buddhist compassion, built a temple named HIDEN-IN for elder people and people with illnesses on 15th of September. Regarding to this, people started to celebrate 『OTOSHIYORI-NO-HI (elders' day) 』 on 15th of September each year.

Origin 2
: The village mayor of NOMADANI village HYOGO prefecture established 『OTOSHIYORI-NO-HI (elders' day) 』
He established the day to show respect and honor elder people on 15th of September in 1947. Then it became 『KEIROU-NO-HI』 in 1966s as a national holiday.

The national holiday had been celebrated on 15th of September until 2001s. Regarding Happy Monday, it has been set on the 3rd Sunday of September to make it over 3days holidays. This year 2025, 『KEIROU-NO-HI』 is on 15th of September as 3days holidays.

Be proud of having respective Japanese spirit and give your "Thank you" to elder people on this occasion.





Reference： 『NIHON-NO-NENCHU-GYOJI』　
https://nihon-nenchugyoji.jp/keirounohi/