Sixteen public holidays per year — and some of them cluster together in ways that shut down entire cities. Knowing Japan’s holiday calendar isn’t just convenient, it affects your schedule, your travel plans, and your work life. Here’s a complete breakdown of every holiday and what it actually means day-to-day.
Japanese Public Holidays 2025
| Date | Holiday (English) | Holiday (Japanese) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day | 元日 (Ganjitsu) |
| Jan 13 | Coming of Age Day | 成人の日 (Seijin no Hi) |
| Feb 11 | National Foundation Day | 建国記念の日 |
| Feb 23 | Emperor’s Birthday | 天皇誕生日 |
| Mar 20 | Vernal Equinox Day | 春分の日 |
| Apr 29 | Showa Day | 昭和の日 |
| May 3 | Constitution Day | 憲法記念日 |
| May 4 | Greenery Day | みどりの日 |
| May 5 | Children’s Day | こどもの日 |
| Jul 21 | Marine Day | 海の日 |
| Aug 11 | Mountain Day | 山の日 |
| Sep 15 | Respect for the Aged Day | 敬老の日 |
| Sep 23 | Autumn Equinox Day | 秋分の日 |
| Oct 13 | Sports Day | スポーツの日 |
| Nov 3 | Culture Day | 文化の日 |
| Nov 23 | Labor Thanksgiving Day | 勤労感謝の日 |
When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday becomes a substitute holiday (振替休日).
The Big Holiday Periods
1. Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) — Late April to Early May
The biggest holiday period of the year.
- April 29 (Showa Day) → May 5 (Children’s Day)
- Many companies take the entire week off
- Travel is extremely expensive and crowded — book months in advance
- Shinkansen, flights, and hotels sell out quickly
- Temples, tourist sites, and national parks are packed
Advice for foreigners: Either book your Golden Week travel 2–3 months ahead, or stay local and enjoy a quieter city while everyone else travels.
2. Obon (お盆) — Mid-August
Not an official national holiday, but practically a major break:
- Typically August 13–16
- Many businesses close or operate reduced hours
- Mass migration back to hometowns
- Trains and highways are extremely congested August 10–16
Traditionally: A Buddhist observance honoring ancestors. Bon Odori (盆踊り) dance festivals are held throughout Japan — beautiful and worth attending.
For foreigners: A great time to travel — prices drop in cities while everyone heads to the countryside. Coastal areas can be crowded though.
3. New Year (お正月) — January 1–3
Japan’s most important holiday period.
- Most businesses close December 29 – January 3
- Hatsumode (初詣) — First shrine or temple visit of the year. Lines at major shrines (Meiji Jingu, Naritasan) can be hours long
- Convenience stores and some restaurants remain open
- Department stores reopen January 2 with fukubukuro (福袋) lucky bag sales
How Holidays Affect Daily Life
What Closes:
- Most government offices
- Banks (though ATMs stay open)
- Post offices
- Many restaurants (especially in quieter areas)
- Some shops (larger malls often stay open)
What Stays Open:
- Convenience stores (always open)
- Major supermarkets
- Hospitals (emergency only)
- Public transport (full service, often extra-busy)
Substitute Holiday Rule (振替休日)
If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the next Monday is automatically a holiday. This is called 振替休日 (furikae kyujitsu).
Also: When two holidays are separated by exactly one day, that in-between day becomes a holiday too (国民の休日). This is why some years have longer connected holiday strings.
Regional Festivals to Know
Beyond national holidays, Japan has major festivals worth planning around:
| Festival | Timing | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo Snow Festival (雪まつり) | February | Sapporo |
| Cherry Blossom Season (桜) | Late March–April | Nationwide |
| Gion Matsuri (祇園祭) | July | Kyoto |
| Awa Odori (阿波踊り) | August | Tokushima |
| Kanda Matsuri / Sanno Matsuri | May (alternating years) | Tokyo |
| Autumn Colors (紅葉) | October–November | Nationwide |
Working on Public Holidays in Japan
If your employer requires you to work on a national holiday:
- You are entitled to 1.35× your regular hourly rate (minimum under labor law)
- Some companies offer a substitute day off instead
- Check your employment contract — many companies already account for this
Foreigners have the same labor rights as Japanese employees on this matter.
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