If you are planning work, school schedules, travel, or just trying to avoid showing up to a closed bank (it happens), here is a fully updated, more detailed guide to Japan public holidays 2026. Each holiday below includes what it is, how people typically observe it, and what you should expect in terms of closures and crowd levels.
New Year’s Day – January 1
New Year’s Day is the biggest calendar reset in Japan, and it tends to feel quieter than you might expect, especially in big cities. Many families spend the day at home, eat traditional New Year foods, and visit shrines for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. Government offices, banks, and a lot of smaller businesses close, and some places stay on reduced hours for several days. If you need to move around, trains still run, but many shops and restaurants take a short break.
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Coming of Age Day – January 12
Coming of Age Day is held on the second Monday of January and celebrates people who turned twenty. You will often see groups wearing formal kimono and suits near city halls, shrines, and photo studios, and it adds a surprisingly festive feeling to winter. Public services close like a normal holiday, but commercial areas may be lively because families go out after ceremonies. If you are traveling, it is usually manageable crowd wise, but popular photo spots can get busy.
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National Foundation Day – February 11
National Foundation Day commemorates Japan’s founding and is generally a low key public holiday in daily life. It is still an official day off, so government offices and banks close, and some families use it for a casual long weekend outing. Do not expect big parades in most places, but you may see flags displayed in certain areas. For visitors, it mainly matters for closures and small shifts in weekday routines.
Emperor’s Birthday – February 23
This holiday celebrates the birthday of the reigning emperor and includes official observances. The Imperial Palace may have public events in some years, and domestic news will usually cover formal remarks and ceremonies. In everyday terms, it is a standard public holiday with the usual closures for banks, schools, and public offices. Tourist areas generally remain open, so it can be a convenient day for sightseeing, just plan around any museum schedules.
Vernal Equinox Day – March 20
Vernal Equinox Day marks the arrival of spring and is based on astronomical calculation, which is why the date can shift slightly year to year. Many people use it to visit family graves as part of the wider seasonal tradition, and others simply enjoy the change in weather. It often lands near the start of early blossom season depending on the year, so parks can be lively. If you are arranging official paperwork, do it on another day, because public counters are usually closed.
Showa Day – April 29
Showa Day honors the Showa era and begins the Golden Week holiday stretch, which is one of the busiest travel periods in Japan. You will see more domestic movement starting around this date, especially if people connect holidays using paid leave. Tourist hotspots, major stations, and airports can feel packed, and hotel prices often rise. If you are not traveling, it is still a pleasant day to explore your local area because neighborhoods can feel relaxed while city centers shift into holiday mode.
Constitution Memorial Day – May 3
Constitution Memorial Day is one of the core Golden Week holidays and usually comes with heavy crowds in popular destinations. It commemorates the postwar constitution, though for many people it simply functions as prime time off work and school. Expect busy trains, busy highways, and fully booked accommodation in famous areas. If you want to enjoy the day without the chaos, smaller local parks and suburban spots are usually the safest bet.
Greenery Day – May 4
Greenery Day is dedicated to nature and the environment, and because it sits inside Golden Week, it is often used for outdoor activities. Botanical gardens, parks, and scenic day trips become popular, especially if the weather is good. It is also a day when families and friend groups go out in a very casual way, picnic style, nothing formal. The tradeoff is obvious, you get a nice atmosphere, but you also get crowds.
Children’s Day – May 5
Children’s Day celebrates children’s health and growth and is the final major holiday inside Golden Week. You will see koinobori, carp streamers, in some neighborhoods and riverside areas, plus seasonal sweets in shops. Families often visit parks, theme parks, or grandparents, so transport stays busy. If you are traveling on this day, build in extra time at stations and consider seat reservations where possible.
Marine Day – July 20
Marine Day is held on the third Monday of July and signals that summer is properly underway. Coastal areas, beach towns, and resort style spots often get a bump in visitors, especially with schools heading into summer break. In cities, you may not feel it strongly beyond closures and a long weekend, but in places like Enoshima or Kamakura it can be noticeably crowded. If you are planning a beach day, go early, and expect packed trains on the way back.
Mountain Day – August 11
Mountain Day encourages appreciation of Japan’s mountains and nature, and it fits neatly into the broader summer travel season. Hiking areas, national parks, and cooler inland destinations tend to attract people looking to escape the heat. Many companies and schools already take summer vacation around this period, so the holiday can blend into a longer break. If you are booking accommodation in places like Nagano or the Japanese Alps region, earlier is better.
Respect for the Aged Day – September 21
Respect for the Aged Day is held on the third Monday of September and honors elderly members of society. Some towns and cities hold small ceremonies, but most people observe it through family visits and gestures of appreciation. It often creates a convenient long weekend, so domestic travel can increase, especially for short trips. If you are scheduling anything important with public offices, assume closures and plan around them.
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Autumnal Equinox Day – September 23
Autumnal Equinox Day marks the seasonal shift into autumn and, like the vernal equinox, is set by astronomical calculation. Many people visit family graves, and others treat it as the moment when summer finally loosens its grip. In cities, you might simply notice more people out enjoying the cooler air, especially in parks. It can also combine with Respect for the Aged Day timing in some years to create longer breaks, so keep an eye on nearby weekdays.
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Sports Day – October 12
Sports Day, held on the second Monday of October, promotes health and physical activity. Schools sometimes hold undokai style sports festivals around this season, though not necessarily on the holiday itself. For most working adults it means a long weekend, which makes it popular for short getaways and local events. If you are traveling, crowds are moderate compared with Golden Week, but well known autumn foliage spots can still get busy.
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Culture Day – November 3
Culture Day celebrates the arts, culture, and academic achievement, and it is one of the nicest holidays for quiet city exploring. Museums, galleries, and cultural venues may hold special exhibits or events, and the weather is often comfortable. It is not usually a major travel rush, so you can get a good balance of atmosphere and manageable crowds. Still, check opening hours because some venues adjust schedules around holidays.
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Labor Thanksgiving Day – November 23
Labor Thanksgiving Day is the final public holiday of the year and recognizes work and production. It is generally calm, and many people treat it as a restful day at home or a simple long weekend outing. Because it falls late in the year, it can feel like the last breather before December gets busy. If you need to handle banking or administrative tasks, plan to do them on another day, because closures apply as usual.
Japan public holidays 2026 provide a clear framework for planning work, travel, and daily life throughout the year. Knowing these dates in advance helps avoid unexpected closures, manage busy travel periods, and make better use of long weekends. With this calendar in mind, it becomes much easier to plan ahead and move through the year with fewer surprises.
