Japan Public Holidays 2026 & 2027
Updated Nov 5, 2026
A complete list of national holidays in Japan for 2026 and 2027, with English and Japanese names, long weekends, Golden Week, and practical tips on what is open or closed. Dates follow Japan's Act on National Holidays and the Cabinet Office.
Next holiday in Japan
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Mon, Nov 23, 2026
勤労感謝の日Japan Public Holidays 2027 (17 days)
"Weekend" marks holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday. A Sunday holiday gives a substitute day off on the next weekday.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Fri | New Year's Day元日（Ganjitsu） |
| Jan 11 | Mon | Coming of Age Day成人の日（Seijin no Hi） |
| Feb 11 | Thu | National Foundation Day建国記念の日（Kenkoku Kinen no Hi） |
| Feb 23 | Tue | The Emperor's Birthday天皇誕生日（Tenno Tanjobi） |
| Mar 21 | Sun | Vernal Equinox Day weekend春分の日（Shunbun no Hi） |
| Mar 22 | Mon | Substitute Holiday振替休日（Furikae Kyujitsu） |
| Apr 29 | Thu | Showa Day昭和の日（Showa no Hi） |
| May 3 | Mon | Constitution Memorial Day憲法記念日（Kenpo Kinenbi） |
| May 4 | Tue | Greenery Dayみどりの日（Midori no Hi） |
| May 5 | Wed | Children's Dayこどもの日（Kodomo no Hi） |
| Jul 19 | Mon | Marine Day海の日（Umi no Hi） |
| Aug 11 | Wed | Mountain Day山の日（Yama no Hi） |
| Sep 20 | Mon | Respect for the Aged Day敬老の日（Keiro no Hi） |
| Sep 23 | Thu | Autumnal Equinox Day秋分の日（Shubun no Hi） |
| Oct 11 | Mon | Sports Dayスポーツの日（Supotsu no Hi） |
| Nov 3 | Wed | Culture Day文化の日（Bunka no Hi） |
| Nov 23 | Tue | Labor Thanksgiving Day勤労感謝の日（Kinro Kansha no Hi） |
Japan Public Holidays 2026 (18 days)
Grey rows have already passed.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day元日（Ganjitsu） |
| Jan 12 | Mon | Coming of Age Day成人の日（Seijin no Hi） |
| Feb 11 | Wed | National Foundation Day建国記念の日（Kenkoku Kinen no Hi） |
| Feb 23 | Mon | The Emperor's Birthday天皇誕生日（Tenno Tanjobi） |
| Mar 20 | Fri | Vernal Equinox Day春分の日（Shunbun no Hi） |
| Apr 29 | Wed | Showa Day昭和の日（Showa no Hi） |
| May 3 | Sun | Constitution Memorial Day weekend憲法記念日（Kenpo Kinenbi） |
| May 4 | Mon | Greenery Dayみどりの日（Midori no Hi） |
| May 5 | Tue | Children's Dayこどもの日（Kodomo no Hi） |
| May 6 | Wed | Substitute Holiday振替休日（Furikae Kyujitsu） |
| Jul 20 | Mon | Marine Day海の日（Umi no Hi） |
| Aug 11 | Tue | Mountain Day山の日（Yama no Hi） |
| Sep 21 | Mon | Respect for the Aged Day敬老の日（Keiro no Hi） |
| Sep 22 | Tue | Citizens' Holiday国民の休日（Kokumin no Kyujitsu） |
| Sep 23 | Wed | Autumnal Equinox Day秋分の日（Shubun no Hi） |
| Oct 12 | Mon | Sports Dayスポーツの日（Supotsu no Hi） |
| Nov 3 | Tue | Culture Day文化の日（Bunka no Hi） |
| Nov 23 | Mon | Labor Thanksgiving Day勤労感謝の日（Kinro Kansha no Hi） |
Long Weekends in Japan 2027
Stretches of 3 or more consecutive days off (weekends + holidays). Expect crowded trains, airports and hotels on these dates.
Jan 1 – Jan 3
3 daysNew Year's Day
Jan 9 – Jan 11
3 daysComing of Age Day
Mar 20 – Mar 22
3 daysVernal Equinox Day / Substitute Holiday
May 1 – May 5
5 daysConstitution Memorial Day / Greenery Day / Children's Day
Jul 17 – Jul 19
3 daysMarine Day
Sep 18 – Sep 20
3 daysRespect for the Aged Day
Oct 9 – Oct 11
3 daysSports Day
Golden Week 2027
Golden Week is a cluster of four holidays from late April to early May: Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4) and Children's Day (May 5). In 2027, the longest run of days off is Sat, May 1 to Wed, May 5 (5 days). It is one of the busiest times to travel in Japan, so book transport and hotels early.
What's Open and Closed on Japanese Holidays
Daily life keeps going on public holidays in Japan. Shops, restaurants, sights and trains are open, while most companies, banks and public offices are closed.
Open as usual
| Place | On public holidays |
|---|---|
| Shops & restaurants | Open Department stores, shopping streets and restaurants are open and often busy. |
| Museums & sights | Open Many museums usually closed on Mondays open on a Monday holiday and close the next day instead. |
| Trains & buses | Running Services operate on a weekend/holiday timetable. |
| Convenience stores & ATMs | Open Open 24 hours; ATMs in convenience stores can be used as usual. |
Usually closed
| Place | On public holidays |
|---|---|
| Most companies & offices | Closed Most office workers have the day off. Shops, restaurants, hotels and other service businesses stay open. |
| Banks | Closed Also closed Dec 31 – Jan 3. |
| Government offices | Closed Also closed Dec 29 – Jan 3. |
| Post office counters | Closed Some large post offices keep a counter open. |
| Stock market (JPX) | Closed Also closed Dec 31 – Jan 3. |
Busiest Travel Seasons in Japan
| Season | When |
|---|---|
| New Year (Shogatsu) | About Dec 29 – Jan 3 |
| Golden Week | Late April – early May |
| Obon | Around Aug 13 – 16 |
| Silver Week | September (some years) |
How Japanese Public Holidays Work
Japan's national holidays are set by the Act on National Holidays (国民の祝日に関する法律). There are 16 holidays a year. Some are on fixed dates, while others move to a Monday (the "Happy Monday" system), such as Coming of Age Day and Sports Day. The equinox days are officially announced each February for the following year.
- Substitute Holiday (振替休日): when a holiday falls on a Sunday, the next weekday that is not a holiday becomes a day off.
- Citizens' Holiday (国民の休日): a weekday sandwiched between two holidays also becomes a day off.
- Holidays falling on a Saturday are not moved to another day.
Japanese Era Years (Reiwa)
Japanese documents and calendars often use era years instead of Western years. 2026 is Reiwa 8 and 2027 is Reiwa 9.
Convert Reiwa, Heisei and Showa years to Western years, with a full chart from 1912.
FAQ
How many public holidays does Japan have in 2027?
Japan has 17 public holidays in 2027, including substitute holidays. The law sets 16 national holidays; extra days off are added when a holiday falls on a Sunday.
What happens when a Japanese holiday falls on a Sunday?
The next weekday that is not a holiday becomes a day off (a substitute holiday, furikae kyujitsu). Holidays that fall on a Saturday are not moved.
When is Golden Week 2027?
Golden Week 2027 runs from Showa Day on Thu, Apr 29 to Children's Day on Wed, May 5. The longest stretch of consecutive days off is May 1 – May 5 (5 days).
Are shops and restaurants open on Japanese public holidays?
Yes. Shops, department stores, restaurants, tourist sights and museums are open, and trains run on a holiday timetable. Most companies, banks, government offices and post office counters are closed.
Is Obon a public holiday in Japan?
No. Obon (around August 13–16) is not a national holiday, but many companies close and it is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
What Japanese era year is 2027?
2027 is Reiwa 9 (令和9年) in the Japanese calendar. You can convert any year with the Japanese Era Converter.