How Public Holidays Work in Japan
Japan has 16 national holidays. A holiday on a Sunday moves to the next non-holiday weekday, and a single day sandwiched between two holidays also becomes a holiday.
Many companies also close for the New Year period (around 29 December–3 January) and for Obon in mid-August, though these are not national holidays.
Sources: National holidays, Cabinet Office of Japan, Public holidays in Japan (Wikipedia)
All Japan Holidays in 2012
| Date | Holiday | About |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 1 | New Year's DayGanjitsu | The most important holiday of the year, marked by shrine visits (hatsumōde). |
| Mon, Jan 2 | Substitute HolidayFurikae Kyūjitsu | Replaces New Year's Day, which falls on a Sunday. |
| Mon, Jan 9 | Coming of Age DaySeijin no Hi | Second Monday of January, celebrating young people who reached adulthood. |
| Sat, Feb 11 | National Foundation DayKenkoku Kinen no Hi | Marks the legendary founding of Japan. |
| Tue, Mar 20 | Vernal Equinox DayShunbun no Hi | Date set by the spring equinox; a day to appreciate nature and visit family graves. |
| Sun, Apr 29 | Shōwa DayShōwa no Hi | Birthday of Emperor Shōwa and the start of Golden Week. |
| Mon, Apr 30 | Substitute HolidayFurikae Kyūjitsu | Replaces Shōwa Day, which falls on a Sunday. |
| Thu, May 3 | Constitution Memorial DayKenpō Kinenbi | Marks the 1947 constitution; part of Golden Week. |
| Fri, May 4 | Greenery DayMidori no Hi | A day to appreciate nature; part of Golden Week. |
| Sat, May 5 | Children's DayKodomo no Hi | Carp streamers (koinobori) are flown for children's health and happiness; ends Golden Week. |
| Mon, Jul 16 | Marine DayUmi no Hi | Third Monday of July, giving thanks to the ocean. |
| Mon, Sep 17 | Respect for the Aged DayKeirō no Hi | Third Monday of September, honoring elderly citizens. |
| Sat, Sep 22 | Autumnal Equinox DayShūbun no Hi | Date set by the autumn equinox; a day to honor ancestors. |
| Mon, Oct 8 | Sports DaySupōtsu no Hi | Second Monday of October, promoting health and sport. |
| Sat, Nov 3 | Culture DayBunka no Hi | Celebrates culture and the arts; national honors are awarded. |
| Fri, Nov 23 | Labor Thanksgiving DayKinrō Kansha no Hi | Gives thanks for work and production. |
Click a date to see it on the monthly calendar.
Long Weekends in 2012
- New Year's Day & Substitute Holiday Dec 31 – Jan 2 · 3 days
- Coming of Age Day Jan 7 – Jan 9 · 3 days
- Vernal Equinox Day bridge day: take Mon, Mar 19 offMar 17 – Mar 20 · 4 days
- Shōwa Day & Substitute Holiday Apr 28 – Apr 30 · 3 days
- Constitution Memorial Day & Greenery Day & Children's Day May 3 – May 6 · 4 days
- Marine Day Jul 14 – Jul 16 · 3 days
- Respect for the Aged Day Sep 15 – Sep 17 · 3 days
- Sports Day Oct 6 – Oct 8 · 3 days
- Labor Thanksgiving Day Nov 23 – Nov 25 · 3 days
With 1 vacation day on the bridge days above you get 4 days off in total.6 holidays fall on a weekend without a substitute day this year.
Plan 2012 Around These Holidays
Add your vacation and bridge days to a calendar, then export it as a printable PDF. For the full year at a glance see the 2012 calendar.
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