National holidays

Japan's national holidays

New Year's Day: January 1

This holiday is a celebration of the start of a new year. Many people go to temples and shrines to pray for happiness in the new year.

Coming of Age Day: the second Monday of January

"Coming of age" refers to becoming an adult. On this holiday, a special "Coming of Age Ceremony" is held to celebrate people who turned 20 in the previous academic year (April 2 to April 1).

 

* The legal age of adulthood was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2022.
　From 2023, some local governments will hold coming of age ceremonies for those who have turned 18 in the previous academic year.

National Foundation Day: February 11

This holiday celebrates the establishment of Japan as a country.

Emperor's Birthday: February 23

This holiday celebrates the birthday of the current emperor.

Spring Equinox Day: around March 21

This is a day when day and night are the same length. Many people visit the graves of deceased family members.

Showa Day: April 29

This holiday was created to make sure people don't forget the Showa era (1926 – 1989).

Constitution Memorial Day: May 3

This holiday commemorates the enforcement of the current Constitution of Japan.

Greenery Day: May 4

This holiday is a day for gratitude toward nature.

Children's Day: May 5

This holiday celebrates the growth of children. Households with male children display Koinobori (carp streamers) and Kabuto (samurai warrior helmets.)

Marine Day: the third Monday of July

This holiday is a day for gratitude toward the ocean.
In 2021, it will be July 22, the day before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

Mountain Day: August 10

This holiday is a day for gratitude toward mountains.
In 2021, it will be August 8, the day the Tokyo Olympics end.

Respect for the Aged Day: the third Monday of September

This holiday is a day for treasuring the elderly and expressing gratitude to them.

Autumnal Equinox Day: around September 23

This is a day when day and night are the same length. Many people visit the graves of deceased family members.

"Sports Day" : the second Monday of October

This holiday commemorates the Olympic Games being held in Tokyo in 1964.
In 2021, it will be July 23, the first day of the Tokyo Olympics.

Culture Day: November 3

This holiday is a day for treasuring freedom and peace and spreading culture.

Labor Thanksgiving Day: November 23

This holiday is a day for expressing gratitude toward work.

Substitute Holiday and Golden week

Substitute Holiday

If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a holiday.
This is called a "substitute holiday."

Golden week

Golden Week is a period from the end of April extending into early May with a large number of national holidays.
April 29 is "Showa Day," May 3 is "Constitution Memorial Day," May 4 is "Greenery Day," and May 5 is "Children's Day." With these holidays combined with Saturdays and Sundays, this is the time of year when people can take the longest amount of time off from work, so it's called "Golden Week."

Obon Holidays and the New Year's holiday season

Obon Holidays: around August 13 – 16

Although these days aren't national holidays, many companies are closed from around August 13 to 16. This time is called the "Obon Holidays." Many people visit their hometowns during this period.

New Year's holiday season: around December 29 to January 3

Although these days aren't national holidays, most companies are closed at the end of the year and the start of the new year. Facilities such as local government offices, banks, post offices, and stores are often closed as well, so be careful. Many people visit their hometowns during the New Year's holiday season.