University of Otago Japanese student Maria Miya, 20, does some calligraphy while her peers Naoki Kozakai (left), 18, and Shion Hashimoto, 20, watch yesterday. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIENUniversity of Otago exchange students are celebrating a Japanese coming-of-age tradition that is more than 1300 years old. The Otago University Japanese Student Association has organised a Dunedin Seijinshiki ceremony which celebrates young people becoming adults when they turn 20 to be held at Knox Church on Saturday. Twenty is a special age for Japanese people as it is the legal drinking age. The ceremony at Knox Church will feature a speech from Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker and a koto (traditional Japanese instrument) performance.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 06, 2026 15:38 UTC