When is Higashiyama in 2025? A complete guide to the dates
Jul 11, 2025
When is Higan in 2025? A detailed explanation of the dates
"I know there are two Higan periods a year, in spring and autumn, but I tend to forget the exact dates each year." "When is it this year?"
Many of you may feel this way.
Higan is an important traditional event for Japanese people, a time to express gratitude to our ancestors and remember the deceased.
This article will clearly state the dates for Higan in 2025 and thoroughly explain why the Higan period changes every year and how it is determined.
Furthermore, we will introduce the events that should be carefully observed during the Higan period. After reading this, you should be able to prepare smoothly for this year's Higan.
What are the dates for Higan in 2025?
Let's immediately confirm the dates for Higan in 2025.
Higan occurs twice a year, in spring and autumn, and each period lasts for 7 days.
Dates for Spring Higan
Spring Higan in 2025 will be for 7 days, from Monday, March 17th to Sunday, March 23rd.
・Higan-iri (Start of Higan): Monday, March 17, 2025
・Chunichi (Vernal Equinox Day): Thursday, March 20, 2025
・Higan-ake (End of Higan): Sunday, March 23, 2025
Vernal Equinox Day is also a national holiday to "praise nature and cherish living things." This day is considered special because the length of day and night are almost equal.
Dates for Autumn Higan
Autumn Higan in 2025 will be for 7 days, from Saturday, September 20th to Friday, September 26th.
・Higan-iri (Start of Higan): Saturday, September 20, 2025
・Chunichi (Autumnal Equinox Day): Tuesday, September 23, 2025
・Higan-ake (End of Higan): Friday, September 26, 2025
Autumnal Equinox Day is designated as a national holiday to "revere ancestors and remember the deceased." Similar to Vernal Equinox Day, it is a day when the length of day and night are almost equal.
How Higan Dates are Determined
The question "When is Higan?" comes up every year because the dates of Higan vary annually. The determination of these dates is deeply connected to the Japanese calendar.
The middle days of Higan, Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day, are determined based on the "time of vernal equinox passage" and "time of autumnal equinox passage" set by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
These are the times when the sun passes specific astronomical points, and the date varies depending on that time.
Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day are designated as the "middle day" of Higan, and the three days before and after constitute the Higan period.
Therefore, the Higan period is always 7 days long.
・Higan-iri (Start of Higan): 3 days before the middle day
・Chunichi (Middle day): Vernal Equinox Day or Autumnal Equinox Day
・Higan-ake (End of Higan): 3 days after the middle day
The connection of Higan to Buddhism stems from the belief in Buddhism that the Pure Land exists in the west.
On Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day, the sun rises precisely in the east and sets precisely in the west, making this period the most suitable time to worship Higan (the Pure Land), which is considered the origin of Higan.
What to do during the Higan period
The Higan period is an important time to focus on gratitude and memorial services for our ancestors. Let's look at what specific events should be performed.
Visiting Graves
This is the most common event during Higan.
Clean the grave thoroughly, pulling weeds and wiping the tombstone.
Bring offerings such as botamochi (in spring) or ohagi (in autumn), or food and drinks that the deceased enjoyed.
Then, offer flowers, light incense sticks, and press your palms together in prayer, thinking of the deceased. It is good manners to take the offerings home afterward.
Cleaning and Memorial Services for the Buddhist Altar
If you have a Buddhist altar at home, clean and purify it carefully during this period.
Place new offerings and Buddhist flowers.
Light incense sticks more carefully than usual, press your palms together in prayer, and express your gratitude to your ancestors.
Memorial Services
In some households, a memorial service may be held during the Higan period by inviting a monk.
It is especially important to offer flowers during Higan.
Flowers are a gift that expresses feelings of memorial service for the deceased and soothes the hearts of the bereaved. They also have the meaning of purifying the space.
Flowers chosen with care will be the best offering to your ancestors.
&YOUKAEN offers a wide variety of "Flower Gifts for Offerings" perfect for Higan!
Please take a look. We are sure you will find a bouquet or flower arrangement that you like.
Seasonal Offering Arrangement
An offering arrangement made with seasonal flowers.
Based on green and white, various green flowers and berries are combined to create a simple color scheme that doesn't look somber.
This flower arrangement is recommended for Higan.
Seasonal Offering Arrangement
¥9,900-
Summary
The Higan dates for 2025 are: Spring Higan from March 17th (Mon) to March 23rd (Sun), and Autumn Higan from September 20th (Sat) to September 26th (Fri).
The Higan period is fixed at 7 days, consisting of the three days before and three days after the Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day as the middle days.
This period is an important opportunity to express gratitude to our ancestors and remember the deceased through visiting graves, offering prayers at the Buddhist altar, and presenting heartfelt flower offerings.
Without being bound by formalities, please spend Higan in your own meaningful way and deepen your bond with your ancestors.
&YOUKAEN is selling flower arrangements and bouquets for Higan offerings.
Our professional florists select only the best quality materials and create arrangements with heartfelt care.
We hope to help you deepen your bond with your beloved ancestors through the gift of flowers.
