Travel Smart: Japan's 2026 National Holidays (国民の祝日)

2025-03-20 PR

Exciting news for travelers and residents alike! In February 2025, Japan officially announced its national holidays for 2026. Next year brings an extra day off, making a total of 17 national holidays compared to next year's 16. Notably, 2026 marks the return of Silver Week for the first time in 11 years, with a five-day holiday from September 19th to 23rd. For us in Japan, this is indeed delightful news as we get to enjoy more consecutive days of rest since none of the holidays fall on a Saturday. During long holidays, it tends to get quite crowded, and hotel prices also increase, so it is recommended to travel at a different time.

Japan's 2026 Public Holidays

Date	Day	Japanese	English Character	English
1 Jan	Thu	元日	Ganjitsu	New Year's Day
12 Jan	Mon	成人の日	Seijin-no-hi	Coming of Age Day
11 Feb	Wed	建国記念の日	Kenkoku-kinen-no-hi	National Foundation Day
23 Feb	Mon	天皇誕生日	Tennō-tanjō-bi	The Emperor's Birthday
20 Mar	Fri	春分の日	Shunbun-no-hi	Vernal Equinox Day
29 Apr	Wed	昭和の日	Shōwa-no-hi	Shōwa Day
3 May	Sun	憲法記念日	Kenpō-kinen-bi	Constitution Memorial Day
4 May	Mon	みどりの日	Midori-no-hi	Greenery Day
5 May	Tue	こどもの日	Kodomo-no-hi	Children's Day
6 May	Wed	振替休日	-	Constitution Memorial Day Holiday
20 Jul	Mon	海の日	Umi-no-hi	Marine Day
11 Aug	Tue	山の日	Yama-no-hi	Mountain Day
21 Sep	Mon	敬老の日	Keirō-no-hi	Respect for the Aged Day
22 Sep	Tue	休日	-	Bridge Holiday
23 Sep	Wed	秋分の日	Shubun-no-hi	Autumnal Equinox Day
12 Oct	Mon	スポーツの日	Sports-no-hi	Health and Sports Day
3 Nov	Tue	文化の日	Bunka-no-hi	Culture Day
23 Nov	Mon	勤労感謝の日	Kinrō-kansya-no-hi	Labour Thanksgiving Day

Rules for National Holiday in Japan

When a National Holiday Falls on a Saturday

In Japan, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no extra day off. Unfortunately, the holiday just stays on the Saturday, and people don’t get an additional day off during the week.

When a National Holiday Falls on a Sunday

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the next Monday becomes a holiday. If the next Monday is already a holiday, then the following weekday becomes the substitute holiday. This way, people can still enjoy a day off even if the holiday was on a non-working day. This substitute holiday is called "振替休日" (furikae kyūjitsu).

Long Vacations in Japan

Obon (お盆)

Obon is a traditional Buddhist event held in mid-August. It is believed that ancestral spirits visit their families during this period. Many people return to their hometowns to visit graves and offer prayers at home altars. While Japan has a high number of people who identify as non-religious, it incorporates various religious and cultural traditions. Obon is also a significant time for family gatherings, with many businesses giving employees time off to spend with their loved ones.

Golden Week

Golden Week is a series of consecutive holidays from late April to early May. Key holidays include Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day. It's a popular time for travel and tourism, significantly boosting the economy.

Silver Week

Silver Week occurs in September and features Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day. However, it only turns into a long vacation period when the rule that declares the day between two national holidays as a holiday is applied. Consequently, Silver Week rarely happens.

Introduction of Related Japanese Terms : 国民の祝日

Related Japanese Terms

国民の祝日

Japanese (Kanji)	国民の祝日
Japanese (Hiragana)	こくみんのしゅくじつ
Pronunciation	Ko-ku-min no shu-ku-ji-tsu
English	national holiday, public holiday
Details	国民 means 'nationals,' and 祝日 means 'holiday.' In Japan, 国民の祝日 are often simply referred to as 祝日.

Conclusion

Understanding Japan’s public holidays is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. By planning around these dates, you can avoid crowded spots and make the most of your visit. Whether you’re intrigued by traditional festivals or just looking to relax in the quieter corners of Japan, being aware of these holidays will help you navigate your journey with ease.

Reference

Cabinet Office, Government of Japan: https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html

-Culture, Travel
-2026, national holiday, public holiday

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