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The 24 solar terms (nijūshi sekki)

Last updated:

2026

NameSolar longitudeDateJST
Shōkan (Minor cold)285°Jan 5, 202617:23
Daikan (Major cold)300°Jan 20, 202610:45
Risshun (Start of spring)315°Feb 4, 202605:02
Usui (Rain water)330°Feb 19, 202600:52
Keichitsu (Awakening of insects)345°Mar 5, 202622:59
Shunbun (Spring equinox)0°Mar 20, 202623:46
Seimei (Clear and bright)15°Apr 5, 202603:40
Kokuu (Grain rain)30°Apr 20, 202610:39
Rikka (Start of summer)45°May 5, 202620:49
Shōman (Grain buds)60°May 21, 202609:37
Bōshu (Grain in ear)75°Jun 6, 202600:48
Geshi (Summer solstice)90°Jun 21, 202617:25
Shōsho (Minor heat)105°Jul 7, 202610:57
Taisho (Major heat)120°Jul 23, 202604:13
Risshū (Start of autumn)135°Aug 7, 202620:43
Shosho (End of heat)150°Aug 23, 202611:19
Hakuro (White dew)165°Sep 7, 202623:41
Shūbun (Autumn equinox)180°Sep 23, 202609:05
Kanro (Cold dew)195°Oct 8, 202615:29
Sōkō (Frost’s descent)210°Oct 23, 202618:38
Rittō (Start of winter)225°Nov 7, 202618:52
Shōsetsu (Minor snow)240°Nov 22, 202616:23
Taisetsu (Major snow)255°Dec 7, 202611:53
Tōji (Winter solstice)270°Dec 22, 202605:50

2027

NameSolar longitudeDateJST
Shōkan (Minor cold)285°Jan 5, 202723:10
Daikan (Major cold)300°Jan 20, 202716:30
Risshun (Start of spring)315°Feb 4, 202710:46
Usui (Rain water)330°Feb 19, 202706:33
Keichitsu (Awakening of insects)345°Mar 6, 202704:40
Shunbun (Spring equinox)0°Mar 21, 202705:25
Seimei (Clear and bright)15°Apr 5, 202709:17
Kokuu (Grain rain)30°Apr 20, 202716:18
Rikka (Start of summer)45°May 6, 202702:25
Shōman (Grain buds)60°May 21, 202715:18
Bōshu (Grain in ear)75°Jun 6, 202706:26
Geshi (Summer solstice)90°Jun 21, 202723:11
Shōsho (Minor heat)105°Jul 7, 202716:37
Taisho (Major heat)120°Jul 23, 202710:05
Risshū (Start of autumn)135°Aug 8, 202702:27
Shosho (End of heat)150°Aug 23, 202717:14
Hakuro (White dew)165°Sep 8, 202705:28
Shūbun (Autumn equinox)180°Sep 23, 202715:02
Kanro (Cold dew)195°Oct 8, 202721:17
Sōkō (Frost’s descent)210°Oct 24, 202700:33
Rittō (Start of winter)225°Nov 8, 202700:39
Shōsetsu (Minor snow)240°Nov 22, 202722:16
Taisetsu (Major snow)255°Dec 7, 202717:38
Tōji (Winter solstice)270°Dec 22, 202711:42

Method

Solar terms are the moments the Sun’s apparent ecliptic longitude reaches multiples of 15°, computed with Skyfield and the JPL DE421 ephemeris and given in Japan Standard Time. Old-calendar months begin on the JST date of each new moon; the month containing the winter solstice is month 11, and in a year with 13 months the first month without a principal term is the leap month. Rokuyō follow (month + day) of the old calendar; day signs follow the 60-day cycle. Seasonal days use the conventional definitions (e.g. setsubun = the day before risshun, hachijū-hachiya = the 88th day counting risshun as day 1). Dates were cross-checked against the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan’s published calendar.

About this page

Dates and times of the 24 solar terms in Japan time, defined by the Sun’s apparent ecliptic longitude.