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 2051
| 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. |
| Thu, Feb 23 | Emperor's BirthdayTennō Tanjōbi | Birthday of Emperor Naruhito. |
| Tue, Mar 21 | Vernal Equinox DayShunbun no Hi | Date set by the spring equinox; a day to appreciate nature and visit family graves. |
| Sat, Apr 29 | Shōwa DayShōwa no Hi | Birthday of Emperor Shōwa and the start of Golden Week. |
| Wed, May 3 | Constitution Memorial DayKenpō Kinenbi | Marks the 1947 constitution; part of Golden Week. |
| Thu, May 4 | Greenery DayMidori no Hi | A day to appreciate nature; part of Golden Week. |
| Fri, May 5 | Children's DayKodomo no Hi | Carp streamers (koinobori) are flown for children's health and happiness; ends Golden Week. |
| Mon, Jul 17 | Marine DayUmi no Hi | Third Monday of July, giving thanks to the ocean. |
| Fri, Aug 11 | Mountain DayYama no Hi | The newest holiday (2016); falls just before the Obon break. |
| Mon, Sep 18 | Respect for the Aged DayKeirō no Hi | Third Monday of September, honoring elderly citizens. |
| Sat, Sep 23 | Autumnal Equinox DayShūbun no Hi | Date set by the autumn equinox; a day to honor ancestors. |
| Mon, Oct 9 | Sports DaySupōtsu no Hi | Second Monday of October, promoting health and sport. |
| Fri, Nov 3 | Culture DayBunka no Hi | Celebrates culture and the arts; national honors are awarded. |
| Thu, 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 2051
- New Year's Day & Substitute Holiday Dec 31 – Jan 2 · 3 days
- Coming of Age Day Jan 7 – Jan 9 · 3 days
- Emperor's Birthday bridge day: take Fri, Feb 24 offFeb 23 – Feb 26 · 4 days
- Vernal Equinox Day bridge day: take Mon, Mar 20 offMar 18 – Mar 21 · 4 days
- Constitution Memorial Day & Greenery Day & Children's Day May 3 – May 7 · 5 days
- Marine Day Jul 15 – Jul 17 · 3 days
- Mountain Day Aug 11 – Aug 13 · 3 days
- Respect for the Aged Day Sep 16 – Sep 18 · 3 days
- Sports Day Oct 7 – Oct 9 · 3 days
- Culture Day Nov 3 – Nov 5 · 3 days
- Labor Thanksgiving Day bridge day: take Fri, Nov 24 offNov 23 – Nov 26 · 4 days
With 3 vacation days on the bridge days above you get 12 days off in total.4 holidays fall on a weekend without a substitute day this year.
Plan 2051 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 2051 calendar.
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