Japan has 16 national holidays a year, plus substitute holidays. On these days, Japanese families travel too, so trains, hotels and popular sights get busy and prices go up. Here are the dates for 2026 and 2027 and the busiest periods to plan around.
Quick answer
Busiest times: New Year (around December 29 – January 3), Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August). Book hotels and Shinkansen seats early for these dates.
Remaining holidays in 2026: November 3 (Culture Day) and November 23 (Labor Thanksgiving Day).
Most shops and sights stay open on national holidays. Many museums that close on Mondays open on a Monday holiday and close the next day instead.
Japan public holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 (Thu) | New Year’s Day |
| January 12 (Mon) | Coming of Age Day |
| February 11 (Wed) | National Foundation Day |
| February 23 (Mon) | Emperor’s Birthday |
| March 20 (Fri) | Vernal Equinox Day |
| April 29 (Wed) | Showa Day |
| May 3 (Sun) | Constitution Memorial Day |
| May 4 (Mon) | Greenery Day |
| May 5 (Tue) | Children’s Day |
| May 6 (Wed) | Substitute holiday |
| July 20 (Mon) | Marine Day |
| August 11 (Tue) | Mountain Day |
| September 21 (Mon) | Respect for the Aged Day |
| September 22 (Tue) | Holiday (between two holidays) |
| September 23 (Wed) | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| October 12 (Mon) | Sports Day |
| November 3 (Tue) | Culture Day |
| November 23 (Mon) | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
Japan public holidays 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 (Fri) | New Year’s Day |
| January 11 (Mon) | Coming of Age Day |
| February 11 (Thu) | National Foundation Day |
| February 23 (Tue) | Emperor’s Birthday |
| March 21 (Sun) | Vernal Equinox Day |
| March 22 (Mon) | Substitute holiday |
| April 29 (Thu) | Showa Day |
| May 3 (Mon) | Constitution Memorial Day |
| May 4 (Tue) | Greenery Day |
| May 5 (Wed) | Children’s Day |
| July 19 (Mon) | Marine Day |
| August 11 (Wed) | Mountain Day |
| September 20 (Mon) | Respect for the Aged Day |
| September 23 (Thu) | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| October 11 (Mon) | Sports Day |
| November 3 (Wed) | Culture Day |
| November 23 (Tue) | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the next weekday becomes a substitute holiday. A day between two holidays also becomes a holiday, as on September 22, 2026. The equinox dates are officially announced each February.
Busy periods to plan around
New Year (around December 29 – January 3)
New Year is Japan’s biggest holiday. Many people travel to their hometowns, and some restaurants, shops and museums close for a few days. Shrines such as Meiji Jingu are very crowded from midnight on January 1 for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. See Winter in Tokyo.
Golden Week (late April – early May)
Golden Week is a cluster of holidays from April 29 to May 5. In 2027, May 3–5 fall from Monday to Wednesday, right after a weekend. Expect full Shinkansen trains, crowded day-trip spots and higher hotel prices.
Obon (mid-August)
Obon is not a national holiday, but many companies close for a few days around August 13–16, and many people travel to their hometowns. Trains out of Tokyo are busy at the start and end of the period, while central Tokyo can feel a little quieter.
Three-day weekends
Monday holidays such as Coming of Age Day, Marine Day, Respect for the Aged Day and Sports Day make three-day weekends. Popular day-trip spots like Hakone and Kamakura get busy.
What is open on public holidays?
- Shops, department stores and restaurants: mostly open as usual.
- Trains: run on the weekend and holiday timetable.
- Museums: many that close on Mondays stay open on a Monday holiday and close the following weekday. Check before you go.
- Banks and government offices: closed. ATMs in convenience stores still work. See our money guide.
Traveling around Golden Week? See Tokyo in May for what to expect.
FAQ
What is Golden Week in Japan?
A group of national holidays from April 29 to May 5. It is one of the busiest travel times of the year in Japan.
Is Christmas a holiday in Japan?
No. December 25 is a normal working day. New Year is the main winter holiday. See Christmas in Tokyo.
Are shops open on Japanese public holidays?
Yes, most shops, department stores and restaurants are open. Banks and government offices are closed.
When is the best time to avoid crowds?
Avoid New Year, Golden Week and Obon if you can. Weekdays outside school holidays are usually quieter.
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Sources
Holiday dates come from the Cabinet Office of Japan (checked October 19, 2026).
