When you turn 21 years old in the United States you are legally allowed to drink alcohol. Usually you have dinner with family and friends, and then go out and get wasted. Well, in Japan, when you turn 20 years old, the entire country celebrates with you.

Seijin Shiki is a national holiday known as “the coming of age day”. The celebration is “held annually on the second Monday of January. It is held in order to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached the age of 20 years old over the past year, and to help them realize that they have become adults. Festivities include coming of age ceremonies held at local and prefectural offices, as well as after-parties among family and friends.”

The women dress up in fur-type kimonos with bright colors (of course), and the new adults are now allowed to vote and more importantly, drink alcohol. The entire country shuts down for a day and has another reason to get trashed.