on Japan

I will tell you about my memory which is about the “Coming of Age Day.” It is one of the traditional ceremonies in Japan. It was established as a national holiday in 1948. On this day, those who have turned 20 are blessed and a Coming-Of-Age ceremony is held. Most women attend this ceremony in a colorful, long-sleeved kimono. In Japan, on turning 20, one is recognized as an adult. The age of 20 is an important juncture when one is granted full rights as a citizen, beginning with the right to vote. Drinking and smoking are also permitted from this age.

When I was 20 years old last year, I attended the ceremony on January 12th in 2009. I thought it would not be much fun before I went to join it. Although it was actually a lot of fun for me!!

In the morning, I got together with my friends in Zama station, and we left there for the Zama city hall together, because the ceremony takes place in each city hall. I went to there with my friends. There were 6 of us. One of them was my best friend “Yuu”. He and I have been friends from elementary school. So we have been best friends for a long time. And I sometimes meet most of them but some of them I hardly ever meet. So I talked with them about own life a lot while we were walking.

We arrived at the destination；first we were surprised to see so many people, the reason there were a lot of people, was because we were from the city’s elementary schools and junior high schools. Anyway I was very glad that I could meet many more friends than I thought, and I felt very nostalgic.

The adult ceremony started later than on time. In the hall, there were a lot of noises because of many conversations. I was also talking my friends while the ceremony was taking place. But I did listen to the mayor’s talk, he said” You could have responsibility and freedom. So you have to choice many things by yourself from today. Good luck!” I thought that I need to learn more education until I begin to work 2 years later. I became really tense at that time.

After that three of us went to have a lunch in Saizeriya in my friend’s car. We could meet a lot of friends there again. We talked about a lot of stories for a long time. After that we decided to see each other later. Then one of us came back to home, I and my best friend went to his house. And we stayed there to talk about some things. We recollected when we met for the first time, what we played with, what happened around us and so on.. We were in a “Time Slip”!

Next we went to meet in a bar where is next to our hometown. While there I was very glad to meet and talk with many old friends. I think that’s why I drank too much,,, As a result, I got very very drunk.
In fact, I had the other promise which was the alumni meeting of high school in that day. However I couldn’t go there because I couldn’t to walk and ride a train to the destination by myself because I was drunk. Anyway I enjoyed myself and entered into the spirit of the occasion.

Finally, the day was very good memory for me, but I don’t remember everything clearly. The Coming of Age Day was done, I felt so sad it passed away. At the same time, I thought “If I keep living a long life, I will be given many benefits inevitably.” I decided to live strongly and honestly.