Japan Guide - Japanese Holidays

January 1st
Shogatsu 正月
New Years:
This is the most important holiday in Japan. While only January 1 is designated as a national holiday, many businesses remain closed until January 3rd.

Second Monday of January
Seijin No Hi 成人の日
Coming of Age Day:
The Coming of Age Day is a day when 20 year old men and women Celebrate becoming 20. It is a national holiday.

February 3rd
Setsubun 節分 -
Spring Equinox:
Setsubun is not a national holiday, but celebrated at home, shrines and temples throughout Japan. See Setsubun in the Japan Guide

February 11th
Kenkoku Kinenbi 建国記念の日
National Foundation Day:
According chronicles of Japan, on this day the first Japanese emperor was crowned. See Kenkoku Kinenbi in the Japan Guide.

February 14th
Valentine's Day:
In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day. As well as their male co-workers. It is not a national holiday.

March 3rd -
Hinamatsuri 雛祭り - Doll's Festival:
Also called girl's festival.

March 14th -
White Day:
The opposite of Valentine's Day: Men give cakes or chocolates to women. It is not a national holiday.

March 21st -
Shunbun No HI 春分の日 - Spring Equinox Day:
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.

April 8th
Hanamatsuri
Flower Festival
The Flower Festival is a celebration of Buddha's Birthday. It is not a national holiday.

April 29th - May 6th
2007 Golden Week
With a collection of holidays during this week it is one of Japans busiest travel times.

April 29th
Showa No Hi
Showa Day:
The birthday of former Emperor Showa. Before 2007, April 29 was known as Greenery Day (now celebrated on May 4). Showa Day is part of the Golden Week.

May 3rd
Kenpo Kinenbi 憲法記念日
Constitution Mermorial Day:
A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which was put into effect after the war. Part of Golden Week.

May 4th
Midori No Hi みどりの日
Greenery Day:
Until 2006, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29, the former Emperor Showa's birthday, due to the emperor's love for plants and nature. Part of Golden Week

May 5th
Kodomo No Hi 子供の日
Children's Day:
Also called boy's festival. Part of Golden Week.

No Holidays

July 7th
Tanabata 七夕
Star Festival:
Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday.

Third Monday
Umi No Hi 海の日
Ocean Day (Marine Day):
A recently introduced national holiday to celebrate the ocean. The day marks the return of Emperor Meiji from a boat trip to Hokkaido in 1876.

July 13th - 15th
Obon お盆
Bon Festival:
Obon is a festival to commemorate the deceased ancestors.

August 7th
Tanabata 七夕
Star Festival:
Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday.

August 13th - 15th
Obon:
Obon is a festival to commemorate the deceased ancestors.

3rd Monday
Keiro No Hi 敬老の日
Respect for the Aged Day:
Respect for the elderly and longevity is celebrated on this national holiday.

September 23rd
Shubun No Hi 秋分の日
Autumn Equinox Day:
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.

Second Monday
Taiiku No Hi 体育の日
Health and Sports Day:
On that day 1964, the Olympic games of Tokyo were opened.

November 3rd
Bunka No Hi 文化の日
Culture Day:
A day for promotion of culture and the love for freedom and peace. On the culture day, schools and the government award certain persons for their special, cultural activities.

November 15th
Shichigosan 七五三
Seven-Five-Three:
A festival for children, Shichigosan is not a national holiday.

November 23rd
Kinro Kansha No Hi 勤労感謝の日
Labour Thanksgiving Day:
A national holiday for honoring labour.

December 23rd
Tenno No Tanjoubi 天皇誕生日
Emperor's Birthday:
The birthday of the current emperor is always a national holiday. If the emperor changes, the national holiday changes to the birthday date of the new emperor.

December 24th-25th
Christmas:
Christmas is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated by an increasing number of Japanese.

December 31st
Omisoka 大晦日
New Year's Eve:
December 31 is not a national holiday.