According to the "Act on National Holidays" enacted by the Japanese government, 16 days a year are considered "national holidays" or "public holidays" (hereinafter referred to as "holidays") in Japan. Restaurants and tourist facilities may be closed, and popular sightseeing spots may be extra crowded. That is why it is recommended to check the holidays in Japan before departure to avoid any impact on your special trip!
Culture
Jan 26. 2024
A must-read before traveling to Japan! A comprehensive list of national holidays and long holidays in Japan
How are Japanese holidays defined?
The national holiday system currently in effect in Japan is based on the "Act on National Holidays" (hereinafter referred to as the "Holiday Act") enacted in 1948.
National holidays were determined by the Diet. Initially there were only 9 days a year, but later, "National Foundation Day", "Respect for the Aged Day", etc. were additionally enacted, making it the current total of 16 days.
List of holidays in Japan (by date)
Below are the explanations of each Japanese holiday. Each of the 16 holidays has a different history and meaning. Some have fixed dates, such as "New Year's Day" and "Showa Day", while some dates change every year, such as "Coming of Age Day" and "Ocean Day".
According to the Holiday Act, if a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will also be a holiday. As a result, the amount of long weekends will increase, and tourism will help revitalize the economy. In addition, any single weekday sandwiched between national holidays also becomes a holiday.
New Year’s Day: 1st of January
The first holiday of each year to celebrate the new year. There are various ways to spend time, such as watching the first sunrise of the year or going out for "hatsumode" (the first of the year's visits to a temple/shrine). In addition, "fukubukuro" (lucky bags) and "hatsu-uri" (first sale) are some interesting Japanese cultural traditions unique to this day.
Coming of Age Day: Second Monday of January
A holiday to celebrate the new beginning of young people who will reach adulthood (*1) that year. In each local government, a "coming-of-age ceremony" (twenty-year-old gathering) for those who will become adults in the year is held on or around this day. At the coming-of-age ceremony, many men wear hakama and suits, and women wear brightly colored furisode.
*1: From April 1, 2022, the age of adulthood in Japan has been lowered from 20 to 18, but since the age at which people attend the coming-of-age ceremony is not a legal regulation, for many local governments, the target age of participants is still set to 20 years old.
National Foundation Day: 11th February
A day to celebrate the founding of Japan based on February 11th - the day when the first emperor, Emperor Jimmu, was enthroned. Celebration events are held all over Japan on this day. Among them, the "celebration parade" marching band with Tokyo's Meiji Jingu as the final stop is a must-see!
Emperor’s Birthday: 23rd February
The date of the Emperor's birthday celebration changes with each new Emperor. Until 2020, the Emperor's birthday was on December 23, but since 2021, it has been on February 23, as the original Emperor abdicated and a new Emperor assumed the throne. In many cases, the original Emperor's Birthday also became a holiday under a different name. For example, Culture Day and Showa Day are actually birthdays of successive emperors.
Vernal Equinox Day: 20th or 21st of March (depending on the year)
The day that marks the turning point of the season, when the length of day and night are almost equal. It is also considered to be the beginning of spring, as the days become longer and longer after this day. There is a longstanding culture of visiting graves and cleaning Buddhist altars for a total of seven days, including the Vernal Equinox Day and the three days before and after it (known as 'haru no ohigan').
Rather than being set as a specific date by law, the vernal equinox day of the following year is fixed according to the calendar guidelines announced by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in February every year.
Showa Day: 29th April
During the Showa era (1926-1989), the Emperor's birthday was celebrated by the public, thus April 29th, the birthday of Emperor Showa, was established as 'Showa Day'. It is also known as the first day of Golden Week - a series of long spring holidays that run from the end of April to the beginning of May.
Constitution Memorial Day: 3rd May
A national holiday that commemorates the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan, which coincided with the establishment of national holidays. From the end of April to the beginning of May, there are a lot of national holidays collectively called "Golden Week", including Constitution Memorial Day as a part of it.
Greenery Day: 4th May
Greenery Day is a national holiday to get close to nature and appreciate the natural world. On this day, many facilities, including Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo), Ueno Zoological Gardens (Tokyo), and Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical Garden (Fukuoka), will be free to enter.
Children’s Day: 5th May
Children's Day is a day to wish children well and celebrate their healthy growth. Traditional events are held and decorations are displayed, the most famous being the iconic carp streamer.
Ocean Day: Third Monday of July
The purpose of this holiday is to appreciate the blessings of the sea that surrounds Japan. In honor of "Ocean Day", many aquariums offer free admission or discounts, while many free sightseeing boat rides are held on this day.
Mountain Day: 11th August
Since most of Japan's land is mountainous, this national holiday was enacted in 2016 with the aim of "getting an opportunity to become familiar with the mountains and appreciate their blessings." It was the 16th public holiday and the newest public holiday as of October 2022. Events in the mountains that even beginners can easily participate in will be held all over the country.
Respect for the Aged Day: Third Monday of September
A national holiday to appreciate the elderly who have contributed to society for many years. Every year, centenarians are presented with a congratulatory letter and a commemorative gift from the Prime Minister. There are sento and public baths hat will offer free bathing services. Some local governments even hand out "osekihan" (red rice) with a letter.
Autumnal Equinox Day: 22nd or 23rd of September (depending on the year)
Like 'Vernal Equinox Day', it is a public holiday that marks the turning point of the seasons. Many Japanese people visit the graves of their ancestors on this day because it falls on the autumn equinoctial week (aki no ohigan). Depending on the year, it may be a series of long holidays stringed together with "Respect for the Aged Day" and Saturdays and Sundays, in which case this period is called "Silver Week".
Sports Day: Second Monday of October
As the name suggests, it is a holiday that focuses on "enjoying sports". Originally named "Health and Sports Day", it was established in 1966 to commemorate the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Various sporting events, including athletic meets, are held throughout the country, and it can be said that this is the day when Japanese people really focus on physical exercise.
Culture Day: 3rd November
"Culture Day" was designated as a national holiday in 1948 as a day to promote freedom, peace, and culture. On this day, some art galleries and museums throughout Japan open their doors free of charge.
Labour Thanksgiving Day: 23rd of November
Repurposing the ancient custom of giving thanks for the harvest, this is the last public holiday of the year. Originally, it was enacted as a day to thank the gods for the grain harvest called 'Niinamesai', but now it is established as a day of gratitude for 'workers'.
When are the long holidays in Japan?
Now that we've shared the basics of each holiday, let's take a look at what you should know about long holidays when you visit Japan. During long holidays, tourist destinations are expected to be very crowded. Be sure to allow extra time for travel and make reservations for restaurants and accommodations in advance.
Year-end and New Year holidays: Late December to early January of the following year
Although there is no strict definition, many government agencies and general companies close for Year-end holidays and New Year holidays from December 29th to January 3rd. For commercial or leisure facilities, the holiday period differs, but on New Year's Eve (Omisoka: December 31st) and New Year's Day (Ganjitsu: January 1st), some stores will have shorter hours. On the first day of New Year's Day, most places open earlier for the "first sale" (hatsu-uri).
In addition, railway and bus companies will operate according to special Year-end and New Year schedules during this period, so be sure to check the official websites before departing.
Golden Week: Late April to early May
It refers to the period from Showa Day (April 29th) to early May when there are many national holidays. Depending on the year, this may result in consecutive holidays if Saturdays, Sundays, and / or paid leave is included. Many Japanese people take advantage of the long holidays once a year to return to their hometowns or travel domestically or internationally. Not only sightseeing spots, but also Shinkansen, airplanes and highways are very crowded during this time!
Obon holidays: Mid-August
Nationwide, the period of Obon holiday is four days from August 13th to 16th every year. It is considered to be a period for memorial services for the deceased and ancestors, and it is common to pay respects at graves and attend Bon Odori (a dance to send off the deceased back to their world after visiting our world). Many Japanese people enjoy summer vacations during this time by starting a series of paid holidays from "Mountain Day", which is close to the Obon holiday. Many independent shops, especially restaurants, are closed during this period.
Contents Source
This information is sourced by Fun Japan Communications Co., Ltd.
There may be business closures, changes to hours of operation,
or temporary suspension of the service of alcoholic beverages, etc.,
implemented without prior notice.
For details, please check the official websites or inquire with the
establishments directly.
