Japan has 16 national holidays per year — more than most countries. Knowing when they are matters for planning travel, work, and daily errands (many services close or operate reduced hours).
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.