Japan has sixteen public holidays, and several cluster together in ways that affect everything from business schedules to travel costs. Miss the pattern and you’ll be caught off-guard repeatedly. Here’s the complete calendar with context for what each holiday actually means.
Japan Public Holidays 2025
| Date | Holiday | Japanese Name |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | 元日 (Ganjitsu) |
| January 13 | Coming of Age Day | 成人の日 (Seijin no Hi) |
| February 11 | National Foundation Day | 建国記念の日 |
| February 23 | Emperor’s Birthday | 天皇誕生日 |
| February 24 | Holiday (substitute) | 振替休日 |
| March 20 | Vernal Equinox Day | 春分の日 (Shunbun no Hi) |
| April 29 | Showa Day | 昭和の日 |
| May 3 | Constitution Memorial 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 |
| July 21 | Marine Day | 海の日 (Umi no Hi) |
| August 11 | Mountain Day | 山の日 (Yama no Hi) |
| September 15 | Respect for the Aged Day | 敬老の日 |
| September 23 | Autumnal Equinox Day | 秋分の日 |
| October 13 | Sports Day | スポーツの日 |
| November 3 | Culture Day | 文化の日 |
| November 23 | Labor Thanksgiving Day | 勤労感謝の日 |
| November 24 | Holiday (substitute) | 振替休日 |
Note: When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday becomes a substitute holiday (振替休日).
The Major Holiday Periods
🌸 Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) — Late April to Early May
Japan’s most significant holiday period. Four national holidays cluster together:
- April 29 (Showa Day)
- May 3 (Constitution Memorial Day)
- May 4 (Greenery Day)
- May 5 (Children’s Day)
Most people take the full week off: April 26–May 6, 2025.
What this means:
- Trains, planes, hotels: fully booked and expensive — reserve months in advance
- Tourist spots: extremely crowded
- Many businesses: closed April 29 – May 5
- Highways: severe congestion on first and last days
Tip: If you have flexibility, stay in the city — it’s unusually quiet while everyone else travels.
👴 Silver Week (シルバーウィーク) — September
When the September holidays fall favorably, a cluster of 3+ consecutive holidays creates “Silver Week”:
- September 15 (Respect for the Aged Day)
- September 21 (Sunday)
- September 22 (substitute holiday)
- September 23 (Autumnal Equinox Day)
Silver Week only occurs when the equinox lands on the right day. Check annually.
🎆 Obon (お盆) — Mid-August
Obon is NOT an official public holiday — but Japan largely shuts down:
- Approximately August 13–16 (varies by region)
- Most companies give employees paid leave during this period
- Trains and planes fully booked for the Obon migration (people return to hometowns)
- Many restaurants and businesses close in cities; open in rural areas
🎍 New Year (お正月) — December 29 – January 3
The other major shutdown period:
- Government offices, banks, post offices: closed December 31 – January 3
- Most businesses: closed December 29 or 30 through January 3
- Convenience stores: always open
- Trains and planes: peak pricing
What’s Open on Public Holidays
| Venue | Open? |
|---|---|
| Convenience stores | ✅ Always |
| Most restaurants (large chains) | ✅ Yes |
| Shopping malls and department stores | ✅ Usually (except Jan 1) |
| Supermarkets | ✅ Usually |
| Government offices | ❌ Closed |
| Banks | ❌ Closed |
| Post offices | ❌ Closed (ATMs often open) |
| Schools | ❌ Closed |
| Museums | Varies (many open on holidays, closed following Monday) |
振替休日 (Furikae Kyujitsu) — Substitute Holidays
When a public holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday becomes a substitute holiday.
When two holidays sandwich a single weekday, that weekday also becomes a holiday under the “National Holiday” rule — this is how Golden Week expands.
Paid Leave and Holiday Culture
Japanese employees receive 10–20 days of paid leave per year by law, increasing with seniority. However:
- Usage rates are low — Japan is improving but average usage is ~60%
- Taking leave around public holidays is more socially acceptable than standalone days
- Many companies shut down entirely during Golden Week and New Year — paid leave isn’t needed for these periods