{"id":7630,"date":"2023-01-05T08:00:17","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T07:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=7630"},"modified":"2025-12-11T18:16:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T17:16:36","slug":"japan-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/japan-holidays","title":{"rendered":"Public holidays in Japan: 2026 dates and meaning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Holidays in Japan<\/strong> are unique, spectacular occasions that visitors, as well as locals, can enjoy. However, they are also very busy times of the year. So, travelers should expect crowds on Japan\u2019s transportation system and higher accommodation prices.<\/p>\n

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Visitors should also be aware that events such as the Obon Festival<\/a>, the cherry blossom season<\/a>, Golden Week<\/a>, Christmas<\/a>, and New Year’s Eve<\/a> are also very busy times of year<\/strong> to visit Japan.<\/p>\n

People catching Shinkansen bullet trains<\/a> should make early reservations<\/a> during these periods when possible.<\/p>\n

Japanese holiday calendar 2026<\/h2>\n

Below, you can check out the exact dates for the 17 public holidays that will be celebrated in Japan throughout 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
National Holiday<\/th>\nDate<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
New Year’s Day<\/strong><\/td>\nJanuary 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coming of Age Day<\/strong><\/td>\nJanuary 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
National Foundation Day<\/strong><\/td>\nFebruary 11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emperor’s Birthday<\/strong><\/td>\nFebruary 23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vernal Equinox Day<\/strong><\/td>\nMarch 20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Showa Day<\/strong><\/td>\nApril 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Constitution Memorial Day<\/strong><\/td>\nMay 3 (observed May 6)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greenery Day<\/strong><\/td>\nMay 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children’s Day<\/strong><\/td>\nMay 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marine Day<\/strong><\/td>\nJuly 20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mountain Day<\/strong><\/td>\nAugust 11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respect for the Aged Day<\/strong><\/td>\nSeptember 21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extra holiday for Silver Week<\/strong><\/td>\nSeptember 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Autumnal Equinox Day<\/strong><\/td>\nSeptember 23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sports Day<\/strong><\/td>\nOctober 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Culture Day<\/strong><\/td>\nNovember 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Labor Thanksgiving Day<\/strong><\/td>\nNovember 23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

There will be less 3-day weekends in 2026 than 2025,<\/strong> as less major public holidays fall on a Sunday. Only Constitution Day falls on a Sunday, and will be observed on the following Wednesday.<\/p>\n

However, Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day fall on a Monday and Wednesday, which along with a Bridge Public Holiday, makes for a 5-day long weekend that\u2019s known as Silver Week<\/a><\/strong>. This only happens every 5 years.<\/p>\n

Public holidays in Japan explained<\/h2>\n

\"Bon<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break down the most important public holidays in Japan:<\/p>\n