[Japan Holidays 2026] Want to avoid public holidays when traveling to Japan? A list of Japanese national holidays and long weekends | Japan's peak and off-peak tourist seasons

*According to Japan's National Holidays Law Article 3, Paragraph 3 of the Civil Code stipulates that a workday between two national holidays will be a day off.

• Every year at the end of December, Japan holds many traditional events to celebrate the New Year. Besides returning to their hometowns for the holidays, Japanese people also have the custom of visiting shrines to pray for the New Year, making local shrines extremely crowded.
• The dates of Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day fall close together from late April to early May, and can be strung together with weekends to create holidays exceeding a week, making it typically the peak tourist season for Japanese people.
• In addition to soaring hotel prices, the local population is also extremely high, so it's best to avoid traveling to Japan during this period.
• Another peak tourist season is the Obon festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month each year. It's an important festival in Japan for commemorating ancestors and the spirits of deceased relatives. Although Obon isn't a national holiday in Japan, many companies give a four-day holiday from around August 13th to 16th, and most Japanese people take the "Mountain Day" holiday to return home and travel. Therefore, major transportation hubs and tourist attractions are extremely crowded and busy.
• If you're traveling during this period, in addition to planning and making reservations for restaurants and attractions in advance, you should also pay special attention to the opening hours of shops.

To avoid crowds when visiting Japan, consider visiting from mid-May to the end of June after Golden Week, and from September to mid-October after the start of the school year. Mid-May sees fewer tourists from around the world after the cherry blossom season and Golden Week holidays, plus fewer local visitors after national holidays, allowing for a more comfortable travel experience. Early September to mid-October, from the start of the school year to the autumn foliage season, is also considered the off-season, with cheaper airfares and accommodations.

Although airfares and hotels are more expensive during Japan's national holidays, and it's also peak tourist season, travelers can personally participate in local celebrations and experience the unique Japanese festival culture and lively atmosphere. Below are some highlights and celebrations associated with Japan's national holidays:

1. New Year's Day (January 1st)

At the beginning of the new year, many Japanese families perform "Hatsumode," which is the first shrine visit of the new year, to pray for peace and safety throughout the year. During the new year, although some businesses will be closed, many companies will offer discounted lucky bags, attracting long queues of people to buy them.

2. Coming of Age Day (January 12)

Coming of Age Day is a day when ceremonies are held in various places to celebrate young people who have turned 20 and become adults.

3. National Founding Day (February 11)

This day, according to the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), is believed to be the enthronement day of Japan's first emperor, Jimmu, and is used to commemorate the founding spirit of Japan. Many shrines hold festivals on this day, including the annual Celebration procession near Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

4. Emperor's Birthday (February 23rd)

On the Emperor's birthday, a general birthday celebration ceremony is held at the Chōwa-den Hall in the Imperial Palace. Members of the Imperial Family attend the ceremony, and members of the public can also enter the plaza in front of the hall to wish the Emperor a happy birthday.

5. The Spring Equinox (March 20th)

It represents the beginning of spring and the time when cherry blossoms are about to bloom.

6. Showa Day (April 29th)

The start of Japan's "Golden Week". "Showa Day" was formerly known as "Tencho-setsu," which means "commemorating the Emperor's birthday," and was thus designated as Emperor Showa's birthday. On that day, National Showa Memorial Park will open to the public free of charge, allowing visitors to enjoy the flowers; in previous years, many public facilities have also offered free admission, such as Ueno Zoo.

7. Constitution Remembrance Day (May 3)

A national holiday established to commemorate the formal implementation of the Japanese Constitution.

8. Green Day (May 4th)

The "Greenery Day" holiday aims to raise public awareness of conservation and encourage people to cherish nature. On this day, parks such as Ueno Zoo, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and Fukuoka Zoo and Botanical Garden will offer free admission, allowing people to enjoy nature and greenery.

9. Children's Day (May 5th)

According to Japan's National Holidays Law, the World Health Organization defines Children's Day as a day to "respect children's individuality, measure children's happiness, and express gratitude to mothers." On this day, people hang carp streamers, which symbolize growth, on rooftops, in courtyards, and on roads, and also bathe in calamus water.

10. Sea Day (July 20)

Because Japan is surrounded by the sea, "Sea Day" is intended to give thanks for the bounty of the ocean and also to pray for Japan's prosperity. Japanese people use this day to enjoy the sun and the beaches. Some prefectures and cities...Holding fireworks festivals, such as the Nagoya Port Festival of the Sea in Nagoya City.

11. Mountain Day (August 11)

As the name suggests, "Mountain Day" is a day for getting close to mountains and giving thanks to the forests. Japanese people often go hiking or driving up mountains to enjoy the scenery, and also visit zoos or botanical gardens to learn about the natural environment; the most famous activity on this day is the National Mountain Day Convention.

12. Respect for the Aged Day (September 21st)

Respect for the Aged Day is a holiday to express respect for elders. Japanese people usually return to their hometowns to visit relatives, have a reunion dinner together, or give gifts to their parents to express their feelings.

13. The Autumn Equinox (September 23)

It marks the beginning of autumn, and besides being an important time for tomb sweeping and ancestor worship, it is also the start of the autumn foliage viewing season.

14. Sports Day (October 12)

Originally named "Sports Day" to commemorate the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, it was renamed "Sports Day" in 2020 to promote sports culture. Some schools hold sports meets around this day, and other events such as the Izumo Ekiden Race.

15. Culture Day (November 3)

On this day of celebration for culture and art, many museums, art galleries, and even theme parks offer free admission.

16. Labor Appreciation Day (November 23)

"Day of Thanksgiving for Diligence" originated from the "Nihon-sai" held to thank the god of abundant harvests, and now aims to thank people for their hard work.