The Spring Equinox and Visiting Graves: A Time to Connect with Gratitude for Our Ancestors ✨

⭐️What is the Spring Equinox Day?

The Spring Equinox Day (Shunbun no Hi) is designated as a “national holiday” in Japan.
In Buddhism, this day marks the “middle of Higan”, a period when the sun sets directly in the west, bringing us closest to the spirits of our ancestors who reside in the Pure Land (Higan).
This is why many people visit the graves of their ancestors during the Spring Equinox to express their gratitude.

⭐️ Visiting Graves and Expressing Gratitude to Ancestors

Visiting graves is one of the most important customs in Japanese culture.
Especially during occasions such as Spring Higan (Spring Equinox), Autumn Higan (Autumn Equinox), Obon, and memorial days, visiting graves holds deep ties with Japanese values and beliefs.

1. The Meaning and Purpose of Visiting Graves

✅ Expressing Gratitude and Offering Prayers

Visiting graves is an act of expressing gratitude to the deceased and praying for their peace.
In Japan, the belief that “ancestors are watching over us” is deeply ingrained, and by offering prayers, families maintain strong bonds across generations.

✅ Peace of Mind and Family Prosperity

By comforting the spirits of ancestors, people pray for the safety, prosperity, and happiness of their families.
Even though values have evolved in modern times, the core belief that “we exist because of our ancestors” remains central to Japanese culture.

2. Main Periods for Visiting Graves

✅ Spring Higan and Autumn Higan

Higan lasts for 7 days, centered around the Spring and Autumn Equinox.
In Buddhism, it is believed that during this period, when the sun sets directly to the west, we come closest to the Pure Land (Higan), where our ancestors reside.
• Spring Higan: Around March 20 (Spring Equinox)
• Autumn Higan: Around September 23 (Autumn Equinox)

✅ Obon (July or August)

Obon is a period when the spirits of ancestors are believed to return to the earthly world. Families welcome them and then send them off again, offering prayers for their peace.
• Some regions perform mukaebi (welcoming fire) and okuribi (sending-off fire) rituals.

✅ Memorial Days (Meinichi and Tsukimeinichi)

Many families also visit graves on the anniversary of a loved one’s death (meinichi) or on monthly memorial days (tsukimeinichi).

3. Process and Etiquette of Visiting Graves

✅ Cleaning the Grave

• Remove weeds and clean the area around the grave.
• Clean the gravestone with water and carefully wipe it with gratitude.

✅ Offerings

• Flowers: Traditional Buddhist flowers like chrysanthemums and lilies are common, but offering the deceased’s favorite flowers is also meaningful.
• Incense: The smoke is believed to connect the living world with the spirit world, serving as a symbol of offering.
• Food and Drink: Offerings can include the deceased’s favorite food, fruits, or traditional treats like botamochi or ohagi.

✅ Praying with Hands Joined

• Join your hands in prayer and speak to the deceased with gratitude.
• It is said that sharing updates about family life and expressing your feelings creates a heartfelt connection.

⭐️ The Cultural Significance of Visiting Graves in Japan

✅ Valuing Family Connections

In Japan, the belief of “cherishing the family lineage and expressing gratitude for the life inherited from ancestors” remains strong.
Visiting graves as a family strengthens these bonds and serves as a reminder of this value.

✅ Respect and Gratitude for Nature

Honoring the spirits of ancestors amidst the changing seasons reflects the Japanese value of coexistence with nature.
The times for visiting graves (Higan and Obon) coincide with seasonal transitions, making these rituals harmonious with nature.

✅ Influence of Buddhism

Buddhist concepts such as “reincarnation” and “Pure Land” also underpin these customs.
Particularly in Jodo Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu, the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes are seen as pivotal days for honoring and remembering ancestors in the Pure Land.

⭐️ Recent Changes and Diversification

In modern Japan, with declining birth rates and increasing nuclear families, the practice of visiting graves has also diversified.
The traditional custom of “the whole family gathering to visit graves and offer prayers” is evolving, giving rise to new approaches that align with changing lifestyles and values.

1. Increase in Grave Closures and Eternal Memorials

“Grave closures” involve removing ancestral graves and relocating the remains to another location.
With fewer people available to inherit and maintain graves, many families opt for this.
After closing the grave, the remains are often transferred to eternal memorial graves, where temples or cemeteries manage and maintain the remains.

2. New Burial Options

✅ Tree Burials: Returning to Nature

Tree burials involve burying the remains beneath trees instead of gravestones.
This option appeals to those who wish to “return to nature” or avoid burdening their children with grave maintenance.
Many cemeteries in urban areas now offer dedicated sections for tree burials.

✅ Scattering Ashes
Scattering ashes, either at sea or in the mountains, has also gained attention as a respectful option in line with the deceased’s wishes.

✅ Columbariums and Joint Graves

Columbariums, where remains are individually placed in secure facilities, have become popular in urban areas.
Many indoor facilities offer protection from the weather, allowing visitors to pray comfortably at any time.
In recent years, digital advancements have enabled visits using IC cards or facial recognition systems.

✅ Online Grave Visits

Online grave visits allow distant family members to watch and participate in grave visits through video streaming or live broadcasts.
This option is particularly helpful for elderly or physically challenged individuals who are unable to visit in person.

⭐️ In Conclusion

Have you visited a grave recently?
In my case, since I live far from my hometown, I don’t get to visit as often as I used to.
Visiting graves is a valuable opportunity to express gratitude to the deceased and pray for their peace.

For me, visiting graves carries various meanings.
It is a time to remind myself that I am here because my ancestors gave me life.
It is also a moment to reflect on my own life while joining my hands in prayer.

Why not take a moment to convey your heartfelt feelings to your ancestors?
Whenever I pray at a grave, I silently speak to my ancestors:
“I’m doing my best. Please continue to watch over us.”

Life can get hectic for everyone, but writing this article has reminded me once again of the importance of cherishing Japanese traditions like visiting graves.

※ Although I do not adhere to any specific religion, I have summarized this in the most general way possible.
Thank you so much for reading until the end! 😊