Haru Ichiban Naming Day

What Is Haru Ichiban Naming Day?

February 15 is "Haru Ichiban Naming Day" (Haru Ichiban Nazuke no Hi). The term "haru ichiban" (春一番, "first spring storm") appeared in an article titled "Spring Gusts" in the morning edition of the Asahi Shimbun on February 15, 1963, which is regarded as the word's first appearance in a newspaper. One theory holds that the term was originally used by fishermen in Nagasaki; it later took hold as a weather term, and today the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) sets criteria for it and announces it each year as a seasonal sign that spring is coming.

Roots in a Tragedy

There are several theories about the word's origin. The best known involves a sea disaster on February 13, 1859, when fishing boats from Gonoura (now Iki City) in Iki District, Nagasaki Prefecture, capsized in a strong wind and 53 people died. The accident is said to have spread the term "haru ichiban."

JMA Criteria for Haru Ichiban

Today, each region has its own guideline criteria for when the JMA announces haru ichiban. In the Kanto region, for example, it is announced when the following conditions are met:

• Period: Between Risshun (around February 4) and the spring equinox (around March 21).
• Pressure pattern: A low-pressure system over the Sea of Japan.
• Wind: A southerly wind (from east-southeast to west-southwest) with a maximum speed of roughly 8 m/s or more.
• Temperature: A rise in temperature.

In years when no qualifying wind blows, no haru ichiban is announced. Strong southerly winds after the spring equinox are not counted as haru ichiban.

A Wind That Brings Spring — and Storms

When haru ichiban blows, temperatures jump and it suddenly feels like spring. However, the low-pressure systems over the Sea of Japan that bring it can develop rapidly, so strong winds, heavy rain, and the cold snap that follows after the low passes call for caution. February 15 is a day to enjoy the warm wind while remembering to respect nature's force.

A Pop Culture Hit: The Candies

The word became even more familiar through "Haru Ichiban," a 1976 hit song by the popular idol group The Candies. Beyond its image as a "rough wind," it also came to be seen as a bright seasonal word announcing the end of winter.

Haru Ichiban Trivia

• What causes it: Warm air blows in from the south toward a low-pressure system that develops as it moves across the Sea of Japan.
• Sudden warmth: When combined with the foehn effect, areas such as Hokuriku can see unusually high temperatures.
• Avalanche risk: Rapid warming raises the risk of avalanches in snowy regions.
• Haru niban, haru sanban: Similar southerly winds after haru ichiban are sometimes called the "second" and "third" spring winds.
• Regional differences: It is announced for regions such as Kyushu, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kinki, Tokai, Kanto, and Hokuriku, but not for Tohoku, Hokkaido, or Okinawa.

Ideas for Enjoying Haru Ichiban Naming Day

• Check the JMA website or weather forecasts to see whether haru ichiban may blow this year
• Think about the fishermen of Iki and the origin of the word
• Enjoy the brightening sunlight and write down something new you want to start this spring
• Listen to songs or read literature that mention "haru ichiban"