Japan has designated national holidays. Additionally, there are periods when people tend to celebrate similarly to holidays, even if they are not official holidays. Generally, during these times, if you choose to travel, you’ll encounter quite a crowd, as many Japanese people also take trips. Tourist spots are bustling with people, hotel reservations can fill up quickly, and prices tend to rise.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to Japan’s holidays. While there’s no need to actively avoid holidays, if you’re looking for a comfortable and smooth travel experience, it might be a good idea to consider traveling on days that are not holidays.
List of Japanese Holidays
Let’s dive into introducing Japan’s holidays. Just a heads-up, most shops tend to remain open even on holidays. However, do keep in mind that around the New Year period (12/31-1/1) and during the Obon festival (8/13-15), many shops might be closed, so please take note of that.
January 1st(New Year’s Day) ☆Year-End and New Year Period
This is a day to celebrate the beginning of the year. In Japan, the period from January 1st to 3rd is referred to as “Sanganichi” or the “first three days of the year.” While only January 1st is an official holiday, many people treat these days similar to holidays. It’s important to note that even some shops that are open on holidays might be closed during these three days.
The second Monday of January (Coming of Age Day)
This is a day to celebrate reaching adulthood (which is at 18 years old in Japan). It’s called “Coming of Age Day.” In various regions, there are gatherings called “Seijin Shiki” where people who have turned 18 come together. You’ll see many young adults dressed in traditional kimono in the streets.
February 11th (National Foundation Day)
February 11th is known as National Foundation Day in Japan. It’s a day to celebrate the establishment of Japan, commemorating the ascension of the first emperor to the throne. The date remains fixed. Some shrines also hold ceremonies to honor the founding of the nation.
February 23rd (Emperor’s Birthday)
This is a day to celebrate the current Emperor’s birthday. Since it’s a birthday, the date remains fixed. Until the current Emperor’s enthronement in 2019, Emperor’s Birthday was celebrated on December 23rd.
March 21st (Vernal Equinox Day)
This is the day when the length of daylight and nighttime becomes nearly equal. It’s the same all around the world. It can fall on either March 20th or March 21st. In 2023, it was on March 21st, but in 2024, it will be on March 20th.
Apr. 29th(Showa Day) ☆ Golden Week
From 1926 to 1989, Japan’s era was referred to as the “Showa” period. It’s a day to look back on that time while also contemplating the nation’s future. Moreover, this day marks the beginning of a roughly week-long period known as Golden Week. During this time, even weekdays see many people taking time off work for travel, making it one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods. Shops, trains, and bullet trains can get quite crowded, so travelers during this period should be mindful of that.
May 3rd (Constitution Memorial Day) ☆ Golden Week
May 3rd marks the day when the Japanese Constitution was enacted, and it’s considered a day to reflect on the nation’s development. It’s a holiday within the Golden Week period I mentioned earlier, and many people take time off work for travel during this time, even if there are weekdays between April 29th and this day.
May 4th （Greenery Day）☆Golden Week
May 4th was established as a day to express gratitude to nature and cultivate a rich heart. It was newly designated around 2007.
May 5th (Children’s Day) ☆ Golden Week
This is a day to celebrate children’s growth and express gratitude to mothers. If you spot large carp-shaped windsocks called “koinobori” flying in the gardens of private homes, those are set up for this day. Also, even if there are weekdays after this day, many people take time off work and travel until the next weekend.
The third Monday of July (Marine Day)
Marine Day is a day to express gratitude to the sea and to wish for Japan, surrounded by the ocean, to prosper. Some beaches and ports may host festivals on this day.
August 11th (Mountain Day) ☆ Obon
Mountain Day is a day to appreciate and express gratitude for mountains. It’s a relatively new holiday, established in 2014. Due to its proximity to the Obon period, many people often take trips around this day.
August 13th-16th ☆ Obon
While not an official national holiday, this period is known as Obon, and many people spend it similarly to holidays. It’s a time when many people travel, but it’s also a period for families and relatives to gather and visit graves. It’s one of the busiest seasons, comparable to Golden Week. Many people take time off work, often combining it with Mountain Day or the upcoming weekend to enjoy an extended break.
September 3rd Monday (Respect for the Aged Day)
Respect for the Aged Day is a day to honor the elderly individuals who have contributed to society and celebrate their longevity. When it coincides with the Autumnal Equinox Day on September 23rd and the subsequent weekend, it can result in an extended break known as Silver Week. In the year 2023, there is only one instance of a 3-day weekend in the calendar.
September 23th (Autumnal Equinox Day)
Just like the Spring Equinox Day, this is the day when the duration of daylight and nighttime becomes nearly equal. It’s also a day to honor ancestors, and there’s a tradition of eating “ohagi,” a type of Japanese confection. If you’re in Japan on this day, why not try enjoying ohagi with a sense of gratitude?
The second Monday of October (Health and Sports Day).
Sports Day is a day to enjoy sports and wish for healthy and energetic days. Until 2020, it was known as “Taiiku no Hi” in Japanese, but with the Tokyo Olympics, it became “Sports Day” in English.
November 3rd (Culture Day)
November 3rd is a day to celebrate a love for freedom, peace, and cultural activities. In connection with this, some museums and art galleries offer free admission on this day.
November23th (Labor Thanksgiving Day)
It’s a day to express gratitude to people who are working. There isn’t a specific custom for how to do this; it’s about showing appreciation to everyone who works.
December 31st☆New Year’s Eve and New Year Holiday
While not an official holiday, many people spend it similarly to holidays as it marks the end of the year. Similar to the New Year period, many shops close, and even those open tend to close early.
