April is full of events that mark new beginnings, such as school entrance ceremonies and company induction ceremonies.
As the weather gets warmer, some seniors may also feel the fresh, hopeful spirit of April.
With that in mind, here are some April events and commemorative days that seniors can enjoy at care facilities and similar settings.
We’ve gathered some lesser-known commemorative days too, like Anpan Day, Incense Day, and Haircut Day.
It could be fun to hold events themed around the names of these days on the actual dates.
You can also use this article to run a “What day is April X?” commemorative-day quiz.
Don’t forget to include hints when you ask the questions.
Let’s all enjoy the many events that April has to offer together.
- For Seniors: Games and Recreational Activities to Enjoy in April
- [For Seniors] Recommended for day-service centers. A collection of craft ideas for April
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Arrival of Spring Indoors! Recommended April Origami
- [For Seniors] Quizzes related to April. Perfect for brain training.
- Spring Event Quiz for Seniors to Enjoy in March
- [For Seniors] Make an April Calendar: Fun Ideas to Brighten Your Mood
- [For Seniors] Never Run Out of Conversation Starters! A Collection of Fun Facts About April and Spring
- [For seniors] Enjoy spring: April craft ideas
- [For Seniors] Classic spring songs to sing in April: A heartwarming moment with nostalgic children’s songs and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs)
- [For Seniors] Embraced by Spring: Wall Decoration Ideas to Enjoy in April
- [For Seniors] Hina Matsuri (Girls’ Day) Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts. Recommended for Dementia Prevention Activities
- [For Seniors] Enjoy a Warm Spring! April Health Topics Roundup
- [For seniors] April haiku. Exciting
April Events and Observances Enjoyable for Seniors (1–10)
Anpan Day
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Anpan—bread filled with sweet red bean paste—is a familiar treat to Japanese people.
April 4 is the day when an important episode related to anpan took place, and at the request of Kimuraya, the developer of anpan and now known as Kimuraya Sohonten, this date was designated as Anpan Day.
It commemorates the occasion when anpan was presented to Emperor Meiji, after which it became a purveyor to the Imperial Household and then spread to the general public.
Without this turning point, today’s anpan might not exist.
You could savor anpan while reflecting on its history, or, if you have a favorite anpan besides Kimuraya’s, you might have fun sharing recommendations with people around you.
You might even find someone who knows an original recipe or creative ways to customize anpan.
Cherry blossom viewing
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Cherry blossoms are an essential motif for the season of new beginnings and fresh starts.
Hanami—admiring the cherry blossoms—is a must-do event in April.
While it’s often associated with lively parties, taking a moment to reflect on the vistas of blossoming trees and feel the warmth of the season is also an important part of hanami.
If it’s difficult to go outside and view them in person, enjoying photos or videos of famous cherry blossom spots is a great alternative to feel spring.
The sight of cherry trees in full bloom may even bring back memories of past new chapters in your life.
Incense Day
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How about soothing your everyday fatigue while being enveloped in a pleasant fragrance? With that in mind, I’d like to introduce “Incense Day.” It was established based on a legend recorded in the Nihon Shoki that a large piece of fragrant wood was found on April 18, 595.
By the way, fragrant wood refers to wood that has a nice scent and is a primary raw material for incense.
Why not look for incense with a fragrance you like? In recent years, a wide variety has been available, from easy-to-use types to luxurious, high-end options that feel special.
Good Bath Day
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April 26 is “Good Bath Day,” designated by the Japan Bath Association.
It’s based on a wordplay where 4 can be read as yoi (good) and 26 as furo (bath).
There aren’t any specific rules about what to do, but why not use it as a chance to rediscover the joys of bathing? Exchanging bath-related gifts with friends or family also sounds nice.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to give bath salts and take a bath together? Or you could head to a public bathhouse instead.
Easter
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Easter is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
It is observed on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox, so the date changes each year.
Although it’s a Christian event and not very widely established in Japan, why not take this opportunity to learn about Easter along with the history of Christianity? Trying traditional Easter dishes and learning their origins can broaden your knowledge.
And of course, when it comes to Easter, the colorful decorated eggs—Easter eggs—are an essential motif, so making some yourself is also highly recommended.
April Fools’ Day
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April 1 is known as April Fools’ Day, and there is a custom that says it’s a day when telling lies is forgiven.
Some people even plan ahead for the day, thinking about what kind of lies they can tell to surprise those around them.
How about coming up with fun lies or jokes in the spirit of this tradition—ones that everyone can laugh about together? Since it involves talking about things that don’t actually exist as if they were real, it’s also an event where you can express positive wishes like “Wouldn’t it be nice if this were true?” It could also be exciting to frame it as a lie from the outset and turn it into a game of how convincingly you can tell the story as if it were true.
Orange Day
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Valentine’s Day on February 14 and White Day on March 14 are widely known.
However, not many people know about or have celebrated Orange Day.
Orange Day is a day when couples who came together on Valentine’s Day and White Day exchange gifts to deepen their bond.
In recent years, “obligation chocolates” given to friends have also become popular, so why not enjoy Orange Day in a similar way? By the way, the reason it’s called “Orange” is because the orange is cherished as a symbol of love.