National Holidays
The following is a table of Japan’s national holidays observed every year.
| DATE | NAME OF HOLIDAY | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 January | New Year’s Day
(Ganjitsu) |
A celebration of the start of Japan’s New Year season or Shogatsu (consists of the first one, three, or seven days of the new year) |
| Second Monday of January | Coming of Age Day
(Seijin no Hi) |
A holiday dedicated to men and women who have reached the age of 20 years (Japan’s age of maturity) during the year |
| 11 February | Foundation Day
(Kenkoku Kinen no Hi) |
A holiday established to commemorate the ascension to the throne of the first Japanese emperor in 660 BC |
| 20 March | Vernal Equinox Day (Shunbun no Hi) | A day devoted for the appreciation of all living things |
| 29 April | Showa Day
(Showa no Hi) |
A holiday established to honor Emperor Showa of the Showa Period who died in 1989 |
| 3 May | Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo Kinenbi) | A day of commemoration for the effective date of the postwar constitution of Japan |
| 4 May | Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) | To show gratitude for all the blessings nature has brought to the country |
| 5 May | Children’s Day
(Kodomo no Hi) |
Established in 1948, this day is also known as the “boy’s festival”, where families pray and ask for good health and future for their sons through samurai doll displays and carp streamers |
| Third Monday of July | Marine Day
(Umi no Hi) |
A holiday established to thank the oceans for all the blessings and to wish for a more bountiful marine habitat |
| 11 August | Mountain Day
(Yama no Hi) |
For the appreciation for all the mountains in Japan |
| Third Monday of September | Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi) | Started in 1966 to pay tribute to the elderly and the value of long life |
| 23 September | Autumnal Equinox Day (Shubun no Hi) | A day to remember the dead and remember the ancestors |
| Second Monday of October | Health and Sports Day (Taiiku no Hi) | A holiday dedicated to the enjoyment of various sports and promote the importance of a healthy body and mind |
| 3 November | Culture Day
(Bunka no Hi) |
The anniversary of the announcement of Japan’s Constitution and a celebration of culture, freedom, and peace in the country |
| 23 November | Labour Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi) | To honour the significance of production and labour, as well as to express gratitude to one’s fellow men |
| 23 December | The Emperor’s Birthday (Tenno Tanjobi) | A day to celebrate reigning Emperor Akihito’s date of birth, 23 December 1933 |
Notes:
- If there is a national holiday that falls on a Sunday, the next day, which is a Monday, is declared a public holiday.
- A day that is sandwiched between two national holidays automatically becomes a public holiday, and it is known as a citizens’ holiday or kokumin no kyujitsu.
- The vernal equinox day may sometimes fall on 21 March, as was the case in 2010. Its exact date is declared on the first February weekday of the previous year.
- The autumnal equinox day may sometimes fall on September 22, as was the case in 2010. Its exact date is declared on the first February weekday of the previous year.
- Showa Day (29 April), Constitution Day (3 May), Greenery Day (4 May, and Children’s Day (5 May) are collectively known as Golden Week, a seven-day holiday that is among the top three busiest Japanese holidays, along with Obon week and New Year.
- Respect for the Aged Day (third Monday of September) and Autumnal Equinox Day (23 September) make up the Silver Week, and includes all the days between the two holidays.
