Holidays

Golden Week looks like a dream on paper — a whole week off in Japan. In reality, bullet trains sell out in minutes, popular spots triple in price, and half the country is on the move at once. Here’s how to navigate it without losing your mind or your budget. When Is Golden Week 2025? Date Holiday April 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) With weekends included, most people get 7–10 consecutive days off. Many companies give additional discretionary holidays to bridge the gaps. ...

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). ...

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). ...