Japan National holidays

Japan has 15 public holidays throughout the year. It may be worthwhile to note these days in order to avoid visiting Japan during the peak season. Japanese people are known as dedicated workers and they usually take their “vacation” or holidays during the holiday times. Three major holiday periods are New Year’s Day, Golden Week and the week August 13-16, the Obon Festival.

New Year’s Holiday: January 1st
This is probably the most important day for Japanese people.

Coming of Age Day: Second Monday of January
20 is legally considered an adult in Japan so 20-year-old men and women celebrate their special day on this national holiday.

National Foundation Day (Kenkoku kinenbi)
February 11

Spring Equinox Day (Shunbun no hi)

Showa Day (Showa no hi)
April 29th
The birthday of former emperor Showa.

Constitution Day (Kenpo Kinenbi)
May 3
Remembering the new constitution, which became effective after the war.

Greenedy Day (Midori no hi)
May 4

Emperor Showa loved plants and nature and it is part of the Golden Week.

Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi)
May 5
It is the day that people celebrate boys.

Ocean Day (Umi no hi)
Third Monday of July
A newly introduced national holiday.

Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no hi)

Autum Equinox Day (Shunbun no hi)
Graves are visited during the week

Health and Sports (taiiku no hi)
Second Monday of October
The Olympic games were held in Tokyo on this date in 1964.

Culture Day (Bunka no hi)

November 3

Labour Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no hi)
This holiday is to honor workers.

Emperor’s Birthday (tenno no tanjobi)
December 23
The birthday of the current emperor