Japan has 16 national holidays set by law, and when one falls on a Sunday the next weekday becomes a substitute holiday. Three periods in the year are when much of the country takes time off together.
Three times Japan takes a break together
- 12/29-1/3 New Year public offices close
- 4/29-5/5 Golden Week four holidays in a week
- Mid-August Obon company summer leave
Cabinet Office national holidays and the Act on Holidays of Administrative Organs. Obon dates vary by region and employer.
Golden Week runs from Showa Day on 29 April through Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day on 3-5 May. In years with weekdays in between, days off differ from company to company.
Obon is a summer festival for honouring ancestors and is not a public holiday, but many companies give summer leave around Mountain Day on 11 August. At New Year, government offices close from 29 December to 3 January, and many companies and some shops close too.
Holidays by month
Cabinet Office national holidays, substitute holidays not counted.
The 16 national holidays
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 2nd Monday of January | Coming of Age Day |
| 11 February | National Foundation Day |
| 23 February | Emperor’s Birthday |
| Around 20 March | Vernal Equinox Day |
| 29 April | Showa Day |
| 3 May | Constitution Memorial Day |
| 4 May | Greenery Day |
| 5 May | Children’s Day |
| 3rd Monday of July | Marine Day |
| 11 August | Mountain Day |
| 3rd Monday of September | Respect for the Aged Day |
| Around 23 September | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| 2nd Monday of October | Sports Day |
| 3 November | Culture Day |
| 23 November | Labour Thanksgiving Day |
The two equinox days have no fixed date in law; the National Astronomical Observatory announces the next year’s dates each February. When a single weekday falls between Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumnal Equinox, it becomes a holiday too, which makes a five-day break in some years.
Over New Year, museums and some attractions close for several days, each on its own schedule. Bank counters also close from 31 December to 3 January.
