Public holidays

Japan · 2026

16 holidays including 16 national and 0 regional observances.

16
Total
16
National
0
Regional
16
Public

Guide to public holidays in Japan

Overview, context, and quick answers for 2026.

Holiday overview

Japan observes 16 public holidays throughout 2026, including 16 national and 0 regional. 16 are official public holidays with government recognition.

Use the monthly calendar below for exact dates. Planning in Japan means tracking both fixed-date holidays and variable dates set by calendar or decree.

Key context

  • Location: Japan (JP), Asia
  • Distribution: 100% national, 0% regional
  • Official public: 100% of listed holidays
  • Year: 2026 (Gregorian)

Why this calendar matters

Public holidays affect government hours, banking, and many businesses. Use this list to avoid conflicts and plan travel or operations in Japan.

FAQ in this guide

How many public holidays does Japan have in 2026?

Japan has 16 public holidays in 2026, including 16 national and 0 regional. 16 are official government-recognized public holidays.

What are the most important holidays in Japan?

Major holidays include national days, religious observances, and cultural events—often with closures for government offices, banks, and many businesses.

Do holidays in Japan affect business?

Yes. Many offices and banks close or reduce hours on public holidays; private businesses vary by sector and region.

Are there regional differences?

Yes. Japan has both nationwide holidays and regional observances in specific areas or communities.

Geographic & cultural context

Location
  • Country: Japan (JP)
  • Continent: Asia
  • Coordinates: 36.2048, 138.2529
  • Time zone: JST (UTC+9)
Holiday mix
  • National, regional, religious, and cultural
  • Gregorian calendar
  • Official days often close government offices
2026
Calendar year
100%
Free access
Updated
Maintained
Calendar

Holidays by month

All observances for 2026, grouped by month.

January 2025

2 holidays

元日

National
Wednesday, January 1, 2025

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st and marks the start of the new year in the Gregorian calendar. It is a time for festivities and reflection on the past year.

成人の日

National
Monday, January 13, 2025

Coming of Age Day celebrates and congratulates young people who have reached the age of majority (20 years old in Japan) and encourages them to become responsible members of society. Ceremonies are held in local municipalities.

February 2025

2 holidays

建国記念の日

National
Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Foundation Day commemorates the mythical founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC. It is a day to reflect on the nation's history and traditions.

天皇誕生日

National
Monday, February 24, 2025

The Emperor's Birthday celebrates the current reigning Emperor's birthday. It is a national holiday where the Imperial Palace is opened to the public.

March 2025

1 holiday

春分の日

National
Thursday, March 20, 2025

Vernal Equinox Day marks the beginning of spring and is a time to pay respect to ancestors. Many people visit family graves during this period.

April 2025

1 holiday

昭和の日

National
Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Shōwa Day commemorates the birthday of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) and reflects on the Shōwa period (1926-1989). It is also considered a day for national reflection.

May 2025

3 holidays

憲法記念日

National
Saturday, May 3, 2025

Constitution Memorial Day commemorates the enactment of the Japanese Constitution in 1947. It is a day to reflect on democracy and the rule of law.

みどりの日

National
Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Greenery Day is a day to appreciate nature and be thankful for its blessings. It encourages people to connect with the environment.

こどもの日

National
Monday, May 5, 2025

Children's Day celebrates the health and happiness of children. Families often display carp streamers (koinobori) and samurai dolls.

July 2025

1 holiday

海の日

National
Monday, July 21, 2025

Marine Day is a day to give thanks for the bounty of the sea and to pray for the prosperity of the maritime nation of Japan. It also marks the beginning of the summer vacation season.

August 2025

1 holiday

山の日

National
Monday, August 11, 2025

Mountain Day is a day to appreciate the mountains and their benefits. It encourages people to enjoy and learn from the natural environment.

September 2025

2 holidays

敬老の日

National
Monday, September 15, 2025

Respect for the Aged Day is a day to honor and show appreciation for elderly people. It is a time to celebrate their contributions to society.

秋分の日

National
Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Autumnal Equinox Day marks the beginning of autumn and is a time to pay respect to ancestors. Similar to the Vernal Equinox Day, people often visit family graves.

October 2025

1 holiday

スポーツの日

National
Monday, October 13, 2025

Sports Day promotes an active and healthy lifestyle through sports. It encourages participation in physical activities and celebrates the spirit of sportsmanship.

November 2025

2 holidays

文化の日

National
Monday, November 3, 2025

Culture Day promotes the arts and academic endeavors. It is a day to celebrate traditional and contemporary culture.

勤労感謝の日

National
Monday, November 24, 2025

Labour Thanksgiving Day is a day to give thanks for labor and production. It is a time to appreciate the hard work of people in various industries.

Frequently asked questions

How many public holidays are there in Japan?

Japan has 16 public holidays in 2026, including 16 national and 0 regional observances.

Are all holidays in Japan national?

No. There are 16 national holidays and 0 regional holidays that apply only in certain areas.

Which are official public holidays?

16 holidays are marked as public; these are typically the most important for closures and time off.

When do holidays occur?

Dates are spread across the year—see the monthly calendar above for each exact date in 2026.

Do all businesses close?

Government offices usually close on official public holidays; private businesses vary by sector and region.

How do I stay updated?

Bookmark this page. We refresh data from official sources as schedules are published or amended.

Data summary

Structured overview for this country and year.

16
Total
Listed holidays
16
National
Country-wide
0
Regional
Local
16
Public
Official type

Dataset details

Geography
  • Country: Japan (JP)
  • Continent: Asia
  • Coordinates: 36.2048, 138.2529
  • Time zone: JST (UTC+9)
Time
  • Year: 2026
  • Calendar: Gregorian
  • Reference date: 2026-03-29

Japan · 2026

16 dates for planning operations, travel, and time off in Japan.

16
Total
16
National
0
Regional
16
Public

Bookmark this page for quick access all year.

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