Japan Public Holidays with Calendar: Meanings, Origins, and Schedules

Japan celebrates many holidays throughout the year, each carrying meanings tied to seasonal milestones and its history and culture.

In this article, we’ll “clearly explain in chronological order” all of Japan’s holidays, and we’ve carefully summarized everything—from its origins and the reasons it was established to the historical background.

What Are Japan’s Public Holidays?

Japan Travel - Matador

Japan’s national holidays are based on seasonal observances and historical events. It was established to commemorate the values this nation has long held dear.

Behind it all are both clear legal definitions and customs nurtured within the culture. Here, we’ll give you a clear overview of how Japan’s public holidays are determined and what makes them unique.

Japan’s national holidays are determined by the Act on National Holidays

Japan’s public holidays are set by the "Act on National Holidays (Holiday Act)."

The Act on National Holidays clearly sets out each holiday’s name, date, and purpose (what the celebration is for). It’s more than just time off—it also shows what a nation chooses to commemorate and what it holds dear.

Also, this Act on National Holidays is referenced when new holidays are established or when their names are changed. In recent years, the establishment of "Mountain Day" (introduced in 2016). Revisions are being made to reflect society’s values, such as renaming “Health and Sports Day” to “Sports Day” (2020).

What makes Japanese public holidays unique?

Japan’s public holidays have unique features—rarely seen in other countries—like the ones below.

● Happy Monday System

A system that increases the number of three-day weekends by designating Mondays as holidays.

The four holidays—Coming of Age Day, Marine Day, Respect for the Aged Day, and Sports Day—are eligible. It was introduced with the aim of stabilizing daily routines and spreading out tourism demand.

● Substitute holiday

A system that designates the next weekday as a day off when a public holiday falls on a Sunday.

It was established to reduce “holidays when you can’t take time off". Nowadays, it's an indispensable part of many people's annual schedules.

● Citizen's Holiday

A system that designates a weekday sandwiched between two national holidays as a holiday.

Example: Because May 4 (Greenery Day) falls between Constitution Memorial Day (5/3) and Children’s Day (5/5). It was originally established as a "Citizens’ Holiday," then evolved into the holiday we know today.

Thanks to these arrangements, Japan’s calendar makes it easy to enjoy long weekends all year round.

Why is Japan known as a country with so many public holidays?

Japan has about 16 public holidays a year (this varies by year), which is relatively high by global standards.

Here are the reasons:

• There are many historical anniversaries and national observances (National Foundation Day, Shōwa Day, etc.).
• A strong culture of honoring the seasons and nature (Vernal Equinox Day, Autumnal Equinox Day, and Greenery Day)
• Thanks to the Happy Monday system, there are more long weekends.
• There are compensatory days off through substitute holidays and the Citizens’ Holiday.

Another hallmark of Japan is that, because there are few holidays tied to the traditional lunar calendar, dates stay consistent, making it easier to plan your year.

Japan’s 2026 National Holiday Calendar

In 2026, the calendar lines up so it’s easy to enjoy a solid stretch of consecutive days off in the fall.

It also reflects the timing of holidays that change each year, such as Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day, so you can use it to plan your year.

List of Japan’s Public Holidays

Here’s a list of Japan’s public holidays, organized by date. You can quickly check public holidays—fixed-date, movable, and those under the Happy Monday system.

List of Japanese public holidays (common across eras) ▼

Now, let's explore the details of each holiday.

Japan Public Holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1)

Winter Fireworks in Japan

The first holiday of the year. Designated as a national holiday to “celebrate the beginning of the year,” it was established by the Act on National Holidays, which was promulgated and came into force in 1948.

Picture this: back in the Meiji era, all the way through the Taisho and early Showa periods, this special day was affectionately called 'Shihōsetsu'! Its name was a wonderful tribute to Shihōhai, a significant Imperial Household ceremony.

The uniquely Japanese tradition of welcoming the New Year deity with kadomatsu on New Year’s Day, and then celebrating with delightful ozoni and osechi ryori, is a cherished custom that has gracefully continued since the Edo period.

January 1 (New Year’s Day) through January 3 are celebrated as the “Sanganichi,” during which government offices and many businesses are closed.

Japan Public Holidays: Coming of Age Day (Second Monday of January)

As a national holiday whose purpose is to “celebrate and encourage young people who recognize they have become adults and who strive to make their own way in life", it was established under the Act on National Holidays, which was promulgated and came into effect in 1948.

It used to be held on January 15 every year, but under the Happy Monday Law enacted in 2000, it now falls on the second Monday in January. On this day, each city and town holds a Coming-of-Age ceremony for new adults, and you’ll spot people in elegant furisode kimono all over town, as the streets are enveloped in a bright, festive atmosphere.

Japan Public Holidays: National Foundation Day (February 11)

National Foundation Day In Japan | Guidable

Designated in 1966 as "a day to reflect on the nation’s founding and foster a love of country". Originally, Japan celebrated the day in 660 BCE when Emperor Jimmu, recognized in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki as the first emperor, ascended the throne as the nation’s founding day, “Kigensetsu,” but... later, it was changed to "National Foundation Day."

Independent of any historically documented Founding Day, it is a day that commemorates the very fact of the nation’s founding. It’s called “Kenkoku Kinen no Hi,” not “Kenkoku Kinenbi.”

On National Foundation Day, shrines and temples across Japan come alive with festivals like the National Foundation Festival, and the atmosphere becomes lively.

Japan Public Holidays: Emperor's Birthday (February 23)

A national holiday dedicated to "celebrating the Emperor’s birthday." From 2020 onward, the date became February 23, the birthday of Emperor Naruhito, Japan’s 126th emperor. Until the end of World War II, it was also known as Tenchōsetsu.

Every year on this day, the Imperial Palace hosts celebratory events including the “Celebration Ceremony,” “Banquet Ceremony,” “Tea Ceremony,” and “Public Greeting.” Starting with Ise Grand Shrine, the Tenchosai festival is held at Shinto shrines across Japan.

Japan Public Holidays: Vernal Equinox Day (around March 20)

Vernal Equinox Day: Celebrating the Arrival of Spring in Japan

Established as a national holiday dedicated to "honoring nature and cherishing all living things," under the National Holidays Act, which was promulgated and put into force in 1948.

Every year, the date is decided by the Cabinet based on the “Calendar and Ephemeris” compiled by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, and it’s usually set as a single day around March 20 or 21.

Since Vernal Equinox Day is also the middle day of Ohigan, there is a tradition of honoring ancestors during this time of year.

Japan Public Holidays: Showa Day (April 29)

A national holiday that invites us to look back on the Showa era—an age that weathered turbulent days and rebuilt itself—and to contemplate the nation’s future.

Originally, it was a national holiday celebrating Emperor Showa’s birthday, but even after the Heisei Emperor ascended the throne, it was retained as “Greenery Day,” one of the public holidays that make up Golden Week.

After that, following a partial revision of the Act on National Holidays in 2007, it was designated as "Showa Day" (Greenery Day was moved to May 4).

Japan Public Holidays: Constitution Memorial Day (May 3)

Established as a national holiday by the Act on National Holidays, promulgated and enforced in 1948, with the purpose of “commemorating the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan and hoping for the nation’s growth.”

Drawing on the lessons of World War II and aiming to build a peaceful nation, the Constitution of Japan was promulgated on November 3, 1946, but because this day coincided with Emperor Meiji’s birthday, the Constitution of Japan—based on popular sovereignty—went into effect on May 3, 1947, to separate it from the emperor.

The period from May 1 to 7, which includes Constitution Memorial Day, is designated as "Constitution Week."

Japan Public Holidays: Greenery Day (May 4)

A national holiday whose purpose is to “connect with nature, appreciate its blessings, and nurture a rich spirit.”

Originally, April 29, the birthday of Emperor Showa, was a national holiday called “Emperor’s Birthday,” but after Emperor Akihito’s accession in 1989, the same day was redesignated as “Greenery Day.”

Thanks to the 2005 revision of the Public Holiday Law, “Greenery Day” was moved to May 4, which had been a “Citizen’s Holiday”—a weekday sandwiched between national holidays.

Japan Public Holidays: Children’s Day (May 5)

Celebrating Japanese day for kids | NT News

Established under the Act on National Holidays, promulgated and enforced in 1948, it is observed as a national holiday with the purpose of "respecting children's individuality, promoting their happiness, and giving thanks to mothers."

It’s said that May 5 was chosen because, since ancient times, it was the day of "Tango no Sekku," a festival held to pray for the healthy growth of boys. There’s a tradition of displaying carp streamers and May dolls, and soaking in iris baths.

Japan Public Holidays: Marine Day (Third Monday in July)

Established in 1995 as a national holiday with the aim of “giving thanks for the blessings of the sea and wishing for the prosperity of Japan as a maritime nation.” Under the “Happy Monday” system introduced by the 2003 revision of the Public Holiday Law, the date was moved to the third Monday in July.

It is said to trace its origins to 1876, when Emperor Meiji boarded a ship for the first time to visit the Tohoku region and, upon safely returning to Yokohama Port, marked the occasion by declaring it “Marine Memorial Day.” In celebration of this holiday, July 1 to 31 is observed as "Marine Month."

Japan Public Holidays: Mountain Day (August 11)

Designated in 2014 as a national holiday to create opportunities to connect with the mountains and give thanks for their blessings.

The date is August 11. It isn’t tied to any special mountain-related event or a clear origin. It is said that, prompted by “Marine Day” becoming a national holiday, it was established to coincide with the Obon season in August, which otherwise has no public holidays.

It’s a newly added national holiday—the first in 20 years since “Marine Day” was established in 1995.

Japan Public Holidays: Respect for the Aged Day (Third Monday in September)

Respect for the Aged Day | Blog

Established in 1966 as a national holiday with the purpose of honoring and cherishing older adults who have long contributed to society and celebrating longevity. Since 2003, the date falls on the third Monday in September.

It is said to originate from “Old Folks Day,” proposed in 1947 in Nomadani Village, Taka District, Hyogo Prefecture (now Yachiyo Ward in Taka Town), inspired by the idea of “cherishing our elders and building a village that draws on their wisdom.”

Japan Public Holidays: Autumnal Equinox Day (September 22–23)

Established by the Act on National Holidays, promulgated and enforced in 1948, as a national holiday dedicated to “honoring ancestors and remembering those who have passed away.”

The date is decided by the Cabinet based on the “Calendar and Astronomical Phenomena Table” compiled by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, and it usually falls on either September 22 or 23.

Since Autumnal Equinox Day is also the middle day of Ohigan, there is a tradition of honoring ancestors during this season.

Japan Public Holidays: Sports Day (Second Monday in October)

A national holiday centered on the idea of “enjoying sports, fostering a spirit of respect for others, and wishing for the realization of a healthy, vibrant society.”

To commemorate the Tokyo Olympics held on October 10, 1964, that same day was designated as "Health and Sports Day". After that, a 2000 revision of the National Holidays Act moved it to the second Monday in October. From 2020 onward, its name was changed to "Sports Day."

Japan Public Holidays: Culture Day (November 3)

Culture Day: A Fun Holiday on November 3rd! - TokyoTreat Blog

Established under the Holiday Act promulgated and enforced in 1948, this national holiday is dedicated to “cherishing freedom and peace and promoting culture", a national holiday established to commemorate the promulgation of the new constitution on November 3, 1946.

Originally, it was a holiday called “Tenchosetsu” celebrating Emperor Meiji’s birthday, and until the early Showa period it was known as “Meiji-setsu.”

Every year, the Imperial Palace hosts the Order of Culture award ceremony on this day.

Japan Public Holidays: Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23)

Designated as a national holiday by the Act on National Holidays, promulgated and enacted in 1948, with the purpose of “a day to honor labor, celebrate production, and for citizens to show gratitude to one another.”

Originally, it was an imperial court ceremony known as “Niinamesai” (にいなめさい), in which the Emperor offers the five grains to the deities. It’s believed to have originated from a festival day giving thanks for the annual harvest of crops, and its name was changed during the postwar GHQ occupation.

Get to Know Japan’s Public Holidays and Make Your Travel Plans Even Smoother

Knowing how public holidays work and where they come from makes it easier to plan your year.

By looking ahead at how long weekends line up and when observed holidays pop up, you can plan your travels with more flexibility. Make smart use of your calendar and have fun exploring ways to spend each season and make the most of your days off.