Holidays of Japan
Table of contents |
Table of Japanese holidays
| Date | Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| First half of January | Japanese New Year 正月 (Shōgatsu) or | Shogatsu is Japan's most important holiday. It may refer to the period of 1st – 3rd, 1st – 7th, or 1st – 20th of January. Historically Shogatsu was an alternative name for January. January 1 is a national holiday. |
| Second Monday of January | Coming-of-Age Day 成人の日 (Sējin no hi) | A national holiday. All people who turn 20 this year are celebrated on this day. |
| February 3 | Setsubun 節分 (Setsubun) | This is a festival and is not a national holiday. |
| February 11 | National Foundation Day 建国記念の日 (Kenkoku kinen no hi) | A national holiday. Emperor Jimmu, the first Japanese emperor, was crowned this day in 660 BC according to early Japanese history books. |
| February 14 | Valentine's Day | On this day, women traditionally give chocolates to their special man, as well as to all their male coworkers. Not a national holiday. |
| March 3 | Hinamatsuri 雛祭り (Hinamatsuri) | Not a national holiday. |
| March 14 | White Day | The reverse of Valentine's Day, when a man buys his special woman a treat. Not a national holiday. |
| Around March 21 | Vernal equinox 春分の日 (Shunbun no hi) | A national holiday. |
| April 29 | Greenery Day みどりの日 (Midori no hi) | A national holiday. Emperor Showa's birthday and the start of Golden Week. |
| May 3 | Constitution Memorial Day 憲法記念日 (Kenpō kinenbi) | A national holiday. |
| May 4 | "Between Day" 国民の休日 (Kokumin no kyūjitsu) | A national holiday by technicality.* |
| May 5 | Children's Day 子供の日 (Kodomo no hi) | A national holiday. |
| July/August 7 | Tanabata 七夕 (Tanabata) | Not a national holiday. |
| Third monday of July | Marine Day 海の日 (Umi no hi) | A national holiday. |
| July/August 13–15 | Bon Festival お盆 (Obon) | Not a national holiday though many companies close their offices. |
| Third monday of September | Respect for the Aged Day 敬老の日 (Keirō no hi) | A national holiday. |
| Around September 23 | Autumnal equinox 秋分の日 (Shūbun no hi) | A national holiday. |
| Second monday of October | Health and Sports Day 体育の日 (Taiiku no hi) | A national holiday. Created in 1966 after the opening day of Tokyo Olympics. |
| November 3 | Culture Day 文化の日 (Bunka no hi) | A national holiday. |
| November 15 | Shichigosan 七五三 (Shichigosan) | A Shinto holiday celebrating a child’s accomplishment of achieving the critical ages of 3, 5, or 7. Not a national holiday. |
| November 23 | Labour Thanksgiving Day 勤労感謝の日 (Kinrō kansha no hi) | A national holiday. |
| December 23 | The Emperor's Birthday 天皇誕生日 (Tennō tanjōbi) | A national holiday. |
| December 24–25 | Christmas | Not a national holiday though it is popular in Japan. Many traditionally western symbols, such as Santa Claus and strings of lights, have been incorporated into the celebration. However, the Japanese also have several unique Christmas traditions, including the playing of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the eating of Christmas cakes. For more information see the Japan section in Christmas around the world. |
| December 31 | Omisoka 大晦日 (Ōmisoka) | Not a national holiday. |
Other holiday dates
By law, when a national holiday lands on a Sunday, that holiday is moved to Monday the next day. Also when a day is sandwiched between two national holidays, that day shall also become a holiday (thus May 4, sandwiched between May 3 and May 5, is a holiday). By the same law, September 22, 2008 is forcasted to be a national holiday because vernal equinox is expected to land on September 23 that year. The official date of vernal equinox will be decided on Februrary 1 that year.
Recent changes
Beginning with 2000, Japan implemented the Happy Monday Seido (ハッピーマンデー制度 Happī Mandē Sēdo) which moved a number of national holidays to Monday:
- Coming-of-Age Day: January 15 → 2nd Monday of January, starting with 2000
- Marine Day: July 20 → 3rd Monday of July, starting with 2003
- Respect for the Aged Day: September 15 → 3rd Monday of September, starting with 2003
- Health and Sports Day: October 10 → 2nd Monday of October, starting with 2000
Planned changes
In 2005 the country has decided to add Showa Day, a new national holiday, in place of Greenery Day on April 29, and to move Greenery Day to May 4. These changes will take effect in 2007.
See also
Categories: Public holidays by country | Public holidays in Japan