Public holidays

Basics

Public holidays in Japan in 2025

Ready for a day off? Here’s a list of Japan’s public holidays in 2024, 2025, and 2026, as well as other important dates for your calendar.

Carp streamers hanging at Tokyo Tower in celebration on Children's Day
writer

Updated 7-2-2025

If you’ve just moved to Japan, you’ll want to mark the country’s public holidays in your calendar. Not only are these days off perfect for exploring the nation’s diverse cities, but you can also use them to delve into the local cuisine and culture.

Here’s what you need to know:

An overview of public holidays in Japan

Japan has 16 public holidays in a year, though many Japanese regions celebrate additional festivals and dates. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it automatically rolls over to the following Monday, ensuring that no national day of rest goes to waste.

Crowd waving Japanese flags gather for Emperor Naruhito's birthday in Tokyo.
Emperor Naruhito (Photo: Rodrigo Reyes Marin-Pool/Getty Images)

One of the most anticipated stretches is Golden Week, a cluster of holidays including Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day. With multiple consecutive days off, millions take advantage of the break, making it one of the busiest travel periods in Japan.

While not an official holiday, Obon (mid-August) is widely observed as a time to honor ancestors. It’s another major travel period in Japan, as many return to their hometowns for family gatherings and traditional ceremonies.

When are Japan’s public holidays in 2025?

These holidays are celebrated nationwide in Japan:

DateWeekdayPublic holiday
1–3 JanuaryMon–WedNew Year’s Bank Holiday
13 JanuaryMonComing of Age Day
11 FebruaryMonNational Foundation Day
23 FebruarySatThe Emperor’s Birthday
20 MarchThuSpring Equinox
29 AprilTueShōwa Day
3 MaySatConstitution Memorial Day
4 May
Observed on Monday, 6 May, day off
SunGreenery Day
5 MayMonChildren’s Day
21 JulyMonSea Day
11 AugustMonMountain Day
15 SeptemberMonRespect for the Aged Day
23 SeptemberMonAutumn Equinox
13 OctoberMonSports Day
3 NovemberMonCulture Day
23 November
Observed on Monday, 24 November, day off
SunLabor Thanksgiving Day
31 DecemberWedNew Year’s Eve bank holiday

Local holidays and festivals in 2025

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 for the occasion. However, this is not always the case; check with your employer to see if you also have the day off. 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.

A mother holds a child while a father takes a photo at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Tokyo.
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

While the list below includes some local holidays, it’s impossible to list them all. It’s recommended you check with your local municipality to find out any concrete dates.

Date(s)Weekday(s)HolidayWhere celebrated
4–11 FebruaryTue–TueSapporo Yuki Matsuri Snow FestivalSapporo
14–15 AprilMon–TueTakayama Spring FestivalTakayama
15 MayThuAori MatsuriKyoto
Month of JulyTue–ThuGion MatsuriKyoto
16–26 JulyWed–SatTenjin MatsuriOsaka
2–7 AugustSat–ThuNebuta MatsuriAomori
2 AugustSatEdogawa Fireworks FestivalTokyo
2 AugustSatNaniwa Yodogawa Fireworks FestivalOsaka
11–15 AugustMon–FriAwa OdoriShikoku
13–15 AugustWed–FriHokkai Bon OdoriSapporo
16 AugustSatKyoto Gozan OkuribiKyoto
9–10 OctoberThu–FriTakayama Fall FestivalTakayama
22 OctoberWedKurama Fire Festival + Jidai MatsuriKyoto
2-3 DecemberTue–WedChichibu YomatsuriSaitama

Other important dates in 2025

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

Date(s)Weekday(s)Occasion
2 FebruarySunSetsubun (the eve of the first day of Spring)
3 MarchMonHina Matsuri (Doll’s Festival)
17–23 MarchMon–SunOhigan (equinoctial week)
late March – early May (depending on your region)Hanami (Cherry Blossom Festival)
8 AprilTueKanbutsu-e (Buddha’s Birthday)
8 AprilTueHanamatsuri (Flower Festival)
7 JulyMonTanabata (Star Festival)
13–16 AugustWed–SatObon Festival
15 NovemberSatShichi-go-san (Seven-Five-Three)

When are Japan’s public holidays in 2026?

DateWeekdayPublic holiday
1–3 JanuaryThu–SatNew Year’s Bank Holiday
12 JanuaryMonComing of Age Day
11 FebruaryWedNational Foundation Day
23 FebruaryMonThe Emperor’s Birthday
20 MarchFriSpring Equinox
29 AprilWedShōwa Day
3 May
Observed on Monday, 6 May, day off
SunConstitution Memorial Day
4 MayMonGreenery Day
5 MayTueChildren’s Day
20 JulyMonSea Day
11 AugustTueMountain Day
21 SeptemberMonRespect for the Aged Day
22 SeptemberTueBridge public holiday
23 SeptemberWedAutumn Equinox
12 OctoberMonSports Day
3 NovemberTueCulture Day
23 NovemberSunLabor Thanksgiving Day
31 DecemberWedNew Year’s Eve bank holiday

Local holidays and festivals in 2026

Date(s)Weekday(s)HolidayWhere celebrated
4–11 FebruaryWed–WedSapporo Yuki Matsuri Snow FestivalSapporo
14–15 AprilTue–WedTakayama Spring FestivalTakayama
15 MayFriAoi MatsuriKyoto
Month of JulyMon–TueGion MatsuriKyoto
16–26 JulyThu–SunTenjin MatsuriOsaka
2–7 AugustSun–FriNebuta MatsuriAomori
2 AugustSunEdogawa Fireworks FestivalTokyo
2 AugustSunNaniwa Yodogawa Fireworks FestivalOsaka
12–15 AugustWed–SatAwa OdoriShikoku
13–15 AugustThu–SatHokkai Bon OdoriSapporo
16 AugustSunKyoto Gozan OkuribiKyoto
9–10 OctoberFri–SatTakayama Fall FestivalTakayama
22 OctoberThuKurama Fire Festival + Jidai MatsuriKyoto
2-3 DecemberWed–ThuChichibu YomatsuriSaitama

Other important dates in 2026

Date(s)Weekday(s)Occasion
3 FebruaryTueSetsubun (the eve of the first day of Spring)
3 MarchTueHina Matsuri (Doll’s Festival)
17–23 MarchTue–MonOhigan (equinoctial week)
late March – early May (depending on your region)Hanami (Cherry Blossom Festival)
8 AprilWedKanbutsu-e (Buddha’s Birthday)
8 AprilWedHanamatsuri (Flower Festival)
7 JulyTueTanabata (Star Festival)
13–15 AugustThu–SatObon Festival
15 NovemberSunShichi-go-san (Seven-Five-Three)

When were Japan’s public holidays in 2024?

DateWeekdayPublic holiday
1–3 JanuaryMon–WedNew Year’s Bank Holiday
8 JanuaryMonComing of Age Day
11 February
Observed on Monday, 12 February, day off
SunNational Foundation Day
23 FebruaryFriThe Emperor’s Birthday
20 MarchWedSpring Equinox
29 AprilMonShōwa Day
3 MayFrConstitution Memorial Day
4 MaySatGreenery Day
5 May
Observed on Monday, 6 May, day off
SunChildren’s Day
15 JulyMonSea Day
11 August
Observed on Monday, 12 August, day off
SunMountain Day
16 SeptemberMonRespect for the Aged Day
22 September
Observed on Monday, 23 September, day off
SunAutumn Equinox
14 OctoberMonSports Day
3 November
Observed on Monday, 4 November, day off
SunCulture Day
23 NovemberSatLabor Thanksgiving Day
31 DecemberTueNew Year’s Eve bank holiday

Local holidays and festivals in 2024

Date(s)Weekday(s)HolidayWhere celebrated
4–11 FebruarySun–SunSapporo Yuki Matsuri Snow FestivalSapporo
14–15 AprilSun–MonTakayama Spring FestivalTakayama
15 MayWedAoi MatsuriKyoto
7–17 JuneFri–MonSannō MatsuriTokyo
Month of JulyMon–WedGion MatsuriKyoto
16–26 JulyTue–FriTenjin MatsuriOsaka
2–7 AugustFri–WedNebuta MatsuriAomori
3 AugustSatEdogawa Fireworks FestivalTokyo
3 AugustSatNaniwa Yodogawa Fireworks FestivalOsaka
12–15 AugustMon–ThuAwa OdoriShikoku
13–15 AugustTue–ThuHokkai Bon OdoriSapporo
16 AugustFriKyoto Gozan OkuribiKyoto
9–10 OctoberWed–ThuTakayama Fall FestivalTakayama
22 OctoberTueKurama Fire Festival + Jidai MatsuriKyoto
2-3 DecemberMon–TueChichibu YomatsuriSaitama

Other important dates in 2024

Date(s)Weekday(s)Occasion
3 FebruarySatSetsubun (the eve of the first day of Spring)
3 MarchSunHina Matsuri (Doll’s Festival)
19–25 MarchThu–WedOhigan (equinoctial week)
late March – early May (depending on your region)Wed–SunHanami (Cherry Blossom Festival)
8 AprilMonKanbutsu-e (Buddha’s Birthday)
8 AprilMonHanamatsuri (Flower Festival)
7 JulySunTanabata (Star Festival)
16–18 AugustFri–SunObon Festival
15 NovemberFriShichi-go-san (Seven-Five-Three)

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 two vacations – the summer and winter holidays – plus semester breaks and public holidays.

Mother takes photo of her daughter in the Yasukuni Shrine at the Mitama Festival. Everything is yellow.
Mitama Festival, Yasukuni Shrine (Photo: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

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

Author

Gayatri Bhaumik

About the author

Always ready for her next adventure, Singapore-born Gayatri took her first flight at 10 days old and hasn’t looked back since.