When Japanese kids turn 20, their town has a ceremony welcoming them into adulthood. They dress up in kimono (most of them) or hakama (men's kimono) and listen to speeches from the Mayor, and various officials about becoming adults. They also get a cash prize (ranging somewhere from $500 to $3000 USD according to rumor). And then they all go out and drink and party afterwards. Most of them haven't seen eachother since Junior High (since Japanese High School is not required, and is competitive, they all split up for High School), so it turns into a kind of 5 year reunion! Anyway, the costumes are cool. And the 2007 20 year ceremony was for the young adults that were BORN the FIRST YEAR I CAME TO MIHARU! WOW! How's that for the circle of life!