Public holidays in Japan in 2026-2027

Knowing the public holidays in Japan in 2026 and 2027 helps if you’re living and working here. It makes annual leave, childcare, visits home, and busier travel weeks easier to plan.

Whether you’re taking time off or working through a holiday, planning ahead financially helps too. If you manage money across borders, a Wise account can make that easier, offering the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees, so you can send, receive, and hold money in multiple currencies, including JPY conveniently.

Key takeaways

• Japan has 16 national public holidays a year, with a substitute holiday on 22 March in 2027.
• Golden Week runs around the holidays from 29 April to 5 May, and booking 30 April off can create a 7-day break in 2027.
• Obon falls in mid-August and is an important travel period even though it is not a national public holiday.
• There is no Silver Week in 2027 because working days separate the September public holidays.

Wise for holiday travel money in Japan

• Hold and convert supported currencies for holiday travel.
• See transfer and conversion fees before confirming.
• Send, receive, and hold supported currencies in one account.

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An overview of major public holidays in Japan

Japan has 16 national public holidays (祝日) a year, and many regions also celebrate their own local festivals and observances. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day becomes a substitute holiday, so no day of rest is lost.

In 2027, Japan has two major holiday periods built around public holidays that can help you plan your annual leave:

• Golden Week, a cluster of public holidays in late April and early May, is one of the easiest periods to extend into a longer break with a few days of annual leave
• Obon, in mid-August, is when many people return to their hometowns for family gatherings and traditional ceremonies

When are Japan’s public holidays in 2027?

These holidays are celebrated nationwide in Japan:

*Details correct at time of research – 5th October 2026

When are Japan’s public holidays in 2026?

Local holidays and festivals in 2027

Japan’s regions govern with a fair amount of autonomy. Because of this, many holidays and festivals are only observed in particular cities.

In some areas, businesses (such as grocery stores, attractions, museums, and banks) will close during holidays and festivals. However, this is not always the case – if you’re working as an expat in Japan you’ll need to check with your employer to see if you have the day off for any given holiday. If it is a major public holiday in your local prefecture, remember to also stock up on food and plan some fun things to do.

While the list below includes some local holidays, it’s impossible to list them all – check with your local municipality to find out the dates to remember wherever you live.

*Checked 5th October 2026

Children’s Education

School holidays in Japan

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Other important dates in 2027

Alongside national and local holidays, you’ll want to make note of these other prominent dates in Japan:

Local holidays and festivals in 2026

Children’s Education

International schools in Japan

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Other important dates in 2026

Family & Pets

Childcare in Japan

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When are the school holidays in Japan?

Planning a family holiday? Don’t forget to mark the school holidays in Japan (学校休暇) in your calendar. Local schools typically begin the academic year in April and end in March, operating on a trimester system. In between, there are three vacations – the summer, winter, and spring holidays – plus semester breaks and public holidays.

Some regional variations may be in place across schools in different cities and prefectures, and international schools may have different breaks or days off. To ensure you have the correct dates – and to organise any necessary childcare – check with your children’s school.

How to make the most of Japan’s public holidays in 2027

If you’re working in Japan, the best strategy to maximise your annual leave is to book a single day off to get a three- or four-day break.

The table below shows the clearest wins in 2027 and exactly which day to request off.

Late September is also a useful window in 2027 because there is no Silver Week. If you want time off without the same level of domestic pressure you get in Golden Week or around Obon, that window can be easier to manage.

A longer break often means booking flights and organizing your travel money. A Wise Account can facilitate sending or receiving money internationally, with transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate, making it easier to manage your money across currencies.