DirectRooms.com – 11 February 2011 Japanese Celebrate National Foundation Day in Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan, January 23, 2011 --(PR.com)-- National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinenbi) is celebrated every year on 11th February and marks the time when Japan’s first emperor took to the throne back in 660 BC. Emperor Jimmu was believed to be a descendant of Amaterasu, the sun goddess who is the most important god in Japan’s Shinto faith.

The origins of the national holiday date back to the Meiji period when the government declared it as a holiday to honour the first emperor. In the beginning the day was called Empire Day or Kigensetsu and was used to bring the country together and uphold the monarchy after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Traditionally the day had a carnival like atmosphere with parades through the streets and festivals around the country and was seen as one of the main Japanese holidays and a day to celebrate. Today however it is a less boisterous affair and people staying in a hotel in Kyoto are less likely to see festivals but people can be seen raising the national flag and remembering what it means to be Japanese.

Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com commented: “As a nationwide holiday hotels in Kyoto are going to be busier as people take the time off to visit one of Japan’s most traditional cities. Booking places before the start of the holiday will be essential for anyone visiting the region.”

###