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 2020
| Date | Holiday | About |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Jan 1 | New Year's DayGanjitsu | The most important holiday of the year, marked by shrine visits (hatsumōde). |
| Mon, Jan 13 | Coming of Age DaySeijin no Hi | Second Monday of January, celebrating young people who reached adulthood. |
| Tue, Feb 11 | National Foundation DayKenkoku Kinen no Hi | Marks the legendary founding of Japan. |
| Sun, Feb 23 | Emperor's BirthdayTennō Tanjōbi | Birthday of Emperor Naruhito. |
| Mon, Feb 24 | Substitute HolidayFurikae Kyūjitsu | Replaces Emperor's Birthday, which falls on a Sunday. |
| Fri, Mar 20 | Vernal Equinox DayShunbun no Hi | Date set by the spring equinox; a day to appreciate nature and visit family graves. |
| Wed, Apr 29 | Shōwa DayShōwa no Hi | Birthday of Emperor Shōwa and the start of Golden Week. |
| Sun, May 3 | Constitution Memorial DayKenpō Kinenbi | Marks the 1947 constitution; part of Golden Week. |
| Mon, May 4 | Greenery DayMidori no Hi | A day to appreciate nature; part of Golden Week. |
| Tue, May 5 | Children's DayKodomo no Hi | Carp streamers (koinobori) are flown for children's health and happiness; ends Golden Week. |
| Wed, May 6 | Substitute HolidayFurikae Kyūjitsu | Replaces Constitution Memorial Day, which falls on a Sunday. |
| Thu, Jul 23 | Marine Day | Moved for the Tokyo Olympics. |
| Fri, Jul 24 | Sports Day | Moved to the planned Tokyo Olympics opening day. |
| Mon, Aug 10 | Mountain Day | Moved for the Tokyo Olympics. |
| Mon, Sep 21 | Respect for the Aged DayKeirō no Hi | Third Monday of September, honoring elderly citizens. |
| Tue, Sep 22 | Autumnal Equinox DayShūbun no Hi | Date set by the autumn equinox; a day to honor ancestors. |
| Tue, Nov 3 | Culture DayBunka no Hi | Celebrates culture and the arts; national honors are awarded. |
| Mon, 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 2020
- Coming of Age Day Jan 11 – Jan 13 · 3 days
- National Foundation Day bridge day: take Mon, Feb 10 offFeb 8 – Feb 11 · 4 days
- Emperor's Birthday & Substitute Holiday Feb 22 – Feb 24 · 3 days
- Vernal Equinox Day Mar 20 – Mar 22 · 3 days
- Constitution Memorial Day & Greenery Day & Children's Day & Substitute Holiday May 2 – May 6 · 5 days
- Marine Day & Sports Day Jul 23 – Jul 26 · 4 days
- Mountain Day Aug 8 – Aug 10 · 3 days
- Respect for the Aged Day & Autumnal Equinox Day Sep 19 – Sep 22 · 4 days
- Culture Day bridge day: take Mon, Nov 2 offOct 31 – Nov 3 · 4 days
- Labor Thanksgiving Day Nov 21 – Nov 23 · 3 days
With 2 vacation days on the bridge days above you get 8 days off in total.2 holidays fall on a weekend without a substitute day this year.
Plan 2020 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 2020 calendar.
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