Long-Distance Relationship Day (Enkyori Renai no Hi)

What Is Long-Distance Relationship Day?

December 21st is "Long-Distance Relationship Day" in Japan. The name comes from a wordplay on "enkyori" (long-distance): the syllables can be reinterpreted as "en" (meaning "circle" or "bond/connection") and "kiri" (from the numbers 2 and 1, read as "ki" and "ri," meaning "separation"). Falling around the winter solstice — the longest night of the year — the day carries the message "though we are apart, our hearts remain close." It's a day for couples in long-distance relationships to reach out and share their feelings with each other.

The State of Long-Distance Relationships Today

• College and career transitions: Long-distance relationships most commonly begin when one partner moves away for college or a new job — often reflecting the urban-rural divide in Japan.
• Job transfers and relocations: Many relationships also become long-distance due to a partner's relocation or overseas assignment after entering the workforce.
• Prevalence: Some surveys suggest that roughly 20–30% of couples are in long-distance relationships at any given time.

Tips for Sustaining a Long-Distance Relationship

• Set a regular communication routine: Establish habits like a daily chat message or a weekly video call.
• Decide on your next meeting in advance: Setting a date for your next visit helps ease the anxiety of being apart.
• Surprise each other: Make birthdays and anniversaries special with a surprise visit or a thoughtful gift sent in the mail.
• Share long-term goals: Talk together about concrete plans for when and where you might eventually live in the same place.

Ideas for Long-Distance Relationship Day

• Have a longer-than-usual video call and really take your time talking.
• Write a handwritten letter — it carries a warmth that texts and social media can't replicate.
• Try an "online dinner date," where you both eat the same meal together over video chat.