public holiday

2025/3/20

Travel Smart: Japan's 2025 National Holidays (国民の祝日)

In Japan, public holidays for the upcoming year are typically announced around February of the previous year. Just like weekends, public holidays in Japan are also quite crowded, making popular destinations bustling with activity. Therefore, when planning your travel itinerary, keeping these public holidays in mind will help you avoid the rush and make the most out of your Japanese adventure. Japan's 2025 Public Holidays DateDayJapaneseEnglish CharacterEnglish1 JanWed元日GanjitsuNew Year's Day13 JanMon成人の日Seijin-no-hiComing of Age Day11 FebTue建国記念の日Kenkoku-kinen-no-hiNational Foundation Day23 FebSun天皇誕生日Tennō-tanjō-biThe Emperor's Birthday24 FebMon振替休日-The Emperor's Birthday Holiday20 MarThu春分の日Shunbun-no-hiVernal Equinox Day29 AprTue昭和の日Shōwa-no-hiShōwa Day3 MaySat憲法記念日Kenpō-kinen-biConstitution Memorial Day4 MaySunみどりの日Midori-no-hiGreenery Day5 MayMonこどもの日Kodomo-no-hiChildren's Day6 MayTue振替休日-Greenery Day Holiday21 JulMon海の日Umi-no-hiMarine Day11 AugMon山の日Yama-no-hiMountain Day15 SepMon敬老の日Keirō-no-hiRespect for the Aged Day23 SepTue秋分の日Shubun-no-hiAutumnal Equinox Day13 OctMonスポーツの日Sports-no-hiHealth and Sports Day3 NovMon文化の日Bunka-no-hiCulture Day23 NovSun勤労感謝の日Kinrō-kansya-no-hiLabour Thanksgiving Day24 NovMon振替休日-Labour Thanksgiving Day Holiday 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 ...

2025/3/20

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

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 DateDayJapaneseEnglish CharacterEnglish1 JanThu元日GanjitsuNew Year's Day12 JanMon成人の日Seijin-no-hiComing of Age Day11 FebWed建国記念の日Kenkoku-kinen-no-hiNational Foundation Day23 FebMon天皇誕生日Tennō-tanjō-biThe Emperor's Birthday20 MarFri春分の日Shunbun-no-hiVernal Equinox Day29 AprWed昭和の日Shōwa-no-hiShōwa Day3 MaySun憲法記念日Kenpō-kinen-biConstitution Memorial Day4 MayMonみどりの日Midori-no-hiGreenery Day5 MayTueこどもの日Kodomo-no-hiChildren's Day6 MayWed振替休日-Constitution Memorial Day Holiday20 JulMon海の日Umi-no-hiMarine Day11 AugTue山の日Yama-no-hiMountain Day21 SepMon敬老の日Keirō-no-hiRespect for the Aged Day22 SepTue休日-Bridge Holiday23 SepWed秋分の日Shubun-no-hiAutumnal Equinox Day12 OctMonスポーツの日Sports-no-hiHealth and Sports Day3 NovTue文化の日Bunka-no-hiCulture Day23 NovMon勤労感謝の日Kinrō-kansya-no-hiLabour 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 ...