3/20/2026 Shunbun 春分 The Spring Equinox

Shunbun 春分 The Spring Equinox

— The 4th of the 24 Solar Terms — March 20, 2026 (Friday)

On this day, the sun rises due east and sets due west, and the hours of daylight and darkness become nearly equal, a moment of perfect natural balance.

In Japan, the Spring Equinox is a national holiday dedicated to "celebrating nature and cherishing all living things."

This day also marks the midpoint of Ohigan (お彼岸), a week-long tradition of honoring one's ancestors. When the sun sets directly in the west, the world of the living and the world beyond are believed to draw closest together, making it a sacred time for gratitude and remembrance.

As the old saying goes, "Neither heat nor cold lasts beyond the equinox" (暑さ寒さも彼岸まで). From this day forward, the days grow longer, the cold softens, and cherry blossoms begin to announce spring's true arrival.

🍀 Fortune-Cultivating Actions for the Spring Equinox

❶ Express Gratitude to Your Ancestors Visit a grave, tidy a family altar, or offer flowers and sweets. If distance makes this difficult, simply face west and place your hands together in quiet thanks. Your intention is what matters most.

❷ Refresh Your Living Space The entryway is considered the gateway for fresh energy. Give it a thorough cleaning and place seasonal flowers there. This is also an ideal day to let go of things you no longer need. Decluttering invites new beginnings.

❸ Enjoy Seasonal Foods with Intention In Japan, botamochi ぼた餅 rice cakes enveloped in sweet azuki bean paste is the traditional Ohigan お彼岸 offering. Azuki beans have long been valued for their purifying properties, and eating seasonally is itself a way of honoring nature's rhythm. A delicate clear soup with clams (hamaguri) and rapeseed blossoms (nanohana) is another beautiful way to welcome spring to the table.

If these ingredients aren't available where you live, embrace the same spirit: prepare a meal using fresh, seasonal ingredients from your local area. Visit a farmers' market, choose what is in season right now, and cook something simple with care and gratitude. The practice isn't about a specific recipe.It's about pausing to appreciate the nourishment that this particular moment in the year provides.

❹ Set Intentions for the New Season The balanced energy of the equinox makes it a perfect day for self-reflection. Write down your goals, wishes, or things you'd like to welcome into your life this spring. Putting pen to paper turns intention into action.

The Spring Equinox is a day to honor nature, tend to your surroundings, and take a fresh step forward.

Remember: luck is not something that happens to you. It is something you cultivate, one small daily practice at a time.

Luck is something you cultivate.

Iyasaka 弥栄!