In Japan, the Law Concerning National Holidays designates 16 days per year as “National Holidays,” which are considered official holidays. The dates for these holidays are as follows:
Contents
National Holidays in Japan
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Coming of Age Day – the second Monday of January
- National Foundation Day – February 11
- Emperor’s Birthday – February 23
- Vernal Equinox Day – March 21
- Showa Day – April 29
- Constitution Memorial Day – May 3
- Greenery Day – May 4
- Children’s Day – May 5
- Marine Day – Third Monday in July
- Mountain Day – August 11
- Respect for the Aged Day – Third Monday in September
- Autumnal Equinox Day – September 23rd
- Sports Day – Second Monday in October
- Culture Day – November 3
- Labor Thanksgiving Day – November 23
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
New Year’s Day – January 1
New Year’s Day is a national holiday established in 1948 to celebrate the beginning of a new year. It is also known as “Taishogatsu,” which distinguishes it from “Koshogatsu” on January 15.
Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day) – Second Monday in January
Established in 1948, Seijin no Hi is a day that celebrates and encourages young people who have reached adulthood. In 2000, the date was changed from January 15 to the second Monday of January.
National Foundation Day – February 11
National Foundation Day was established in 1966 to commemorate the founding of the nation and to promote love for the country. It is a national holiday established by government ordinance.
Emperor’s Birthday – February 23
Established in 1948, Emperor’s Birthday is a national holiday celebrated to mark the birthday of the Emperor. Due to the succession to the throne, the date was changed from December 23 to February 23 starting in 2019.
Vernal Equinox Day – March 21
Vernal Equinox Day is a national holiday that honors nature and cherishes all living creatures. It falls on the middle day of the spring equinox when the length of day and night is approximately equal. The date is determined according to the calendar guidelines published by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
Showa Day – April 29
Showa Day is a national holiday introduced in 2007 to remember the Showa era. This day corresponds to the “Emperor’s Birthday” in the Showa era and was known as “Greenery Day” from 1989 to 2006.
Constitution Memorial Day – May 3
Constitution Memorial Day was established in 1948 to commemorate the enactment of the Constitution of Japan on May 3, 1947. It was established to “commemorate the enforcement of the Constitution of Japan and to promote the growth of the nation.”
Greenery Day – May 4
Greenery Day is a day to appreciate and become familiar with nature and its blessings and to nurture a rich spirit.
Children’s Day – May 5
A national holiday introduced in 1948 to “respect children’s character, promote their happiness, and give thanks to their mothers.”
Marine Day – Third Monday in July
Marine Day is a national holiday established in 1996 to express gratitude for the blessings of the sea and to wish prosperity to Japan, a country surrounded by the sea.
Mountain Day – August 11
A holiday introduced in 2014 (Heisei 28) so that everyone can “take the opportunity to become familiar with mountains and be thankful for their blessings.”
Respect for the Aged Day – Third Monday in September
This holiday was established in 1966 to “honor the elderly who have served society and celebrate their longevity.”
Autumnal Equinox Day – September 23
Autumnal Equinox Day is a national holiday established in 1948 to “honor our ancestors and remember those who have passed away.” It falls on the day when the sun reaches the autumnal equinox, and the length of day and night is nearly equal. Like the vernal equinox, the date is determined by the calendar guidelines published by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
Sports Day – Second Monday in October
A national holiday introduced in 1966 (Showa 41) to encourage people to become familiar with sports and to cultivate a healthy mind and body. Originally called “Health and Sports Day,” it was renamed “Sports Day” in 2020.
Culture Day – November 3
A day to love freedom and peace and to promote culture. It was instituted in 1948 as a national holiday in connection with the promulgation of the Constitution of Japan. In the Meiji era, it was called Tenchousetsu, celebrating the birthday of Emperor Meiji.
Labor Thanksgiving Day – November 23
Established in 1948 as a national holiday to “celebrate the appreciation of hard work and production, and to thank the people for each other’s labor. Until then, it was called “Shin-Tame-Sai,” a day to give thanks for new grains.
Annual Events in Japan
In Japan, various events are held throughout the year. Some are traditional, while others are imported from overseas.
January
- New Year’s Day – January
- Hatsumode – January 1-7
- Kakizome – January 2
- Nanakusa – January 7
- Kagamibiraki – January 11
- Koshogatsu – January 15
New Year’s Day – January
It’s a day when people welcome the new year and celebrate the beginning of the year. Families gather to eat osechi dishes and play traditional games such as karuta.
Hatsumode – January 1-7
It’s what people call the first visit to shrines and temples after the new year. Although it’s supposed to last until January 7, many people visit shrines and temples on the first three days of the year (January 1 through 3).
Kakizome – January 2
The first writing of the New Year using a brush. People write words of congratulations and their goals for the year.
Nanakusa – January 7
People eat rice porridge containing seven herbs on this day, and it is said that if you eat this porridge, you will not get sick for the year.
Kagamibiraki – January 11
Kagamibiraki is an event where people eat rice cakes offered to the gods, which are boiled or baked. Every piece of rice cake is eaten while wishing for happiness.
Kosyogatsu – January 15
On January 15, people make mochi-hana (rice cake flowers) and eat azuki-bean porridge. Kadomatsu, which are decorations for the New Year’s holiday, are burned during the “Dondonyaki” ceremony, which is also held during the Kosyogatsu period.
February
- Setsubun – February 3
- Risshun – February 4th
- Hatsuuma – the first day of the horse in February
- Valentine’s Day – February 14
Setsubun – February 3
In Japan, the day before Risshun is called Setsubun, and it is celebrated by performing “mamemaki,” a ritual where beans are thrown to drive away evil spirits. Another traditional practice is “ehomaki,” where people bite into a thick roll of sushi while facing a certain direction to bring good luck.
Risshun – February 4
Risshun is one of 24 solar terms and marks the beginning of spring. In Zen temples, people hang a paper with the words “Risshun Daikichi” on the gate in the morning of this day. The first strong wind after Risshun is also called “Haru-ichi-ban.”
Hatsuuma – The First Day of the Horse in February
On this day that is calculated by using the Chinese Zodiac, Hatsuuma Festival is held at Inari shrines across Japan to pray for a bountiful harvest and prosperous business.
Valentine’s Day – February 14
In Japan, February 14 is Valentine’s Day, a day when women give chocolates to men to express their love. Apart from chocolates given to lovers and sweethearts, there is also the custom of giving “giri-choco” to show your appreciation to friends and other people.
March
- Hinamatsuri – March 3
- White Day – March 14
- Ohigan – March 18 to 23
- Hanami – Late March – Early April
Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Festival) – March 3
This event involves displaying hina dolls in homes with girls and praying for their happiness and growth. Offerings such as hishimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes), hina arare (rice cakes for the Girls’ Festival), white sake, peach blossoms, and more are made.
White Day – March 14
White Day is a day when men who receive chocolates on Valentine’s Day return the gesture by giving chocolates to women. The custom originated in Japan in 1980 with the candy industry, and the usual gifts given are marshmallows and candies.
Ohigan – March 18 to 23
Observed seven days before and after the middle day of the spring equinox. During this time, people visit graves and make offerings to their ancestors.
Hanami – Late March to early April
Hanami is an event where people celebrate the arrival of spring while enjoying the beauty of the flowers. Usually, around the time when the cherry blossoms bloom, people gather in places where they can see the flowers and indulge in food and drinks.
See also: Cherry Blossoms in Japan: How, When and Where to Enjoy Them Most in 2023
April
- Hana Matsuri – April 8
- Entrance and Initiation Ceremonies – early April
- Jusan-mairi – April 13
Hana Matsuri – April 8
The day of celebrating Buddha’s birthday with events and festivals held at temples throughout Japan. Also known as “Shobutsu-kai” or “Butsusho-kai,” traditionally, people pour sweet tea and offer prayers to the statue of Shakyamuni at temples.
Entrance and Initiation Ceremonies – Early April
Ceremonies held in early April to welcome new students and employees.
Jusan-mairi (13th day of the month) – April 13
An event where teenagers who turned 13 years old in their respective years visit a shrine to express gratitude for their growth and pray for the wisdom necessary for adulthood.
May
- 88 Nights – May 2
- Dragon Boat Festival – May 5
- Risshatsu – May 6 approx.
- Mother’s Day – Second Sunday in May
88 Night – May 2
The 88th day after Risshun, the first day of spring, marks the transition from spring to summer. At this time, tea harvesting is at its peak, and it is said that the tea tastes delicious.
Dragon Boat Festival – May 5
Tango-no-Sekku, also known as the Boys’ Festival, is a seasonal festival celebrated by decorating armor and headdresses, putting up carp streamers, eating chimaki (rice cakes), kashiwa-mochi (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves), and bathing in iris blossoms. This day is to celebrate the health and growth of boys.
Risshatsu – around May 6
Risshatsu is another one of the solar terms, and it marks the beginning of summer.
Mother’s Day – Second Sunday in May
Mother’s Day is a day to show gratitude to mothers, and it is customary to give carnations. This holiday originated in the United States.
June
- Change of clothes – June 1
- First Day of the Rainy Season– Around June 11
- Father’s Day – Third Sunday in June
- Natsukoshi-no-Purification – June 30
Change of Clothes – June 1
This day marks the time when schools and businesses with uniforms switch from winter to summer attire. It is observed in many regions. Summer uniforms are put on starting June 1, while winter uniforms are worn from October 1.
First Day of the Rainy Season – Around June 11.
The rainy season begins around this time. The word “ume” refers to the fact that it rains consistently during the ripening of the ume plum trees. It occurs about 10 days prior to the summer solstice and is also referred to as the start of the rainy season.
Father’s Day – Third Sunday in June
Father’s Day is a day to express appreciation for fathers. While Mother’s Day is commemorated with carnations, Father’s Day is celebrated with roses.
Natsukoshi no Purification – June 30
An occasion to pray for good health after the summer season. It takes place on June 30, the last day of summer according to the calendar. The activity is called “Kayanokuguri,” in which people pass through a large ring made of thatched straw.
July
- Yamabiraki – July 1
- Umibiraki – Around July 1
- Tanabata – July 7
- Shogatsu – July 7 approx.
- Obon – July 13-16, August 13-16
- Mid-August – July 15
- Great heat – around July 23
- Doyou no Ushi – around July 23
Yamabiraki – July 1
This day marks the opening of the mountain climbing season, when people can climb and enter the mountains. In ancient times, mountains were considered sacred places and climbing was not permitted until this day. Nowadays, various events are held to pray for climbers’ safety.
Umibiraki – around July 1
A day to pray for the safety of those who go swimming in the ocean. It marks the beginning of the bathing season, and beach houses start to open. Water quality testing and safety prayers are also conducted.
Tanabata – July 7
The Tanabata Festival is associated with a Chinese legend and is celebrated by writing wishes on strips of paper, which are then displayed on bamboo branches.
Shousho – July 7
One of the 24 solar terms, Minor Heat is the day when the heat becomes intense. The period from this day to Risshu is called Shochu, or the middle of summer, and people send “Shochu-omimai” greeting cards during this period.
Obon – July 13-16, August 13-16
An event to honor the spirits of ancestors by offering memorial services. It is also known as the “Uranbon Festival.” People prepare Bon trellises, make offerings, and visit graves. The date of the festival varies depending on the region, falling either in July or August.
Chugen – July 15
Chugen is a day to express gratitude to those who have taken care of you by giving them gifts. The exact date of Chugen varies by region, but gifts are usually given between July 1 and 15.
Great Heat – July 23rd
The Great Heat is the hottest day of the year. Throughout the country, people practice “Uchi-mizu,” which involves sprinkling water on gardens and streets to cool them down.
Doyou no Ushi – July 23
Doyou no Ushi is the day that corresponds to the Ox of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac. It is customary to eat eels on this day.
August
- Summer festivals – July and August
- Hassaku – August 1
- Risshu – August 7
- Bonfire – August 16
Summer festivals – July, August
From July to August, various locations hold summer festivals. In Japan, the three major festivals are the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Tenjin Festival in Osaka, and Kanda Festival in Tokyo. In Tohoku, another three significant festivals are the Nebuta Festival in Aomori, Kanto Festival in Akita, and Tanabata Festival in Sendai.
Hassaku – August 1
A day to express gratitude to the god of rice fields and pray for a good harvest. It is customary to present gifts to those who have taken care of you. Throughout early September, the Hachisaku-matsuri, a festival to pray for less damage from natural disasters, is held in various regions.
Risshu – around August 7
Risshu, another one of the solar terms, marks the first day of autumn. After this day, “Shochu Omaimai” changes to “Zanzogou Omaimai.”
Obon – July 13-16, August 13-16
An event to honor the spirits of ancestors by offering memorial services. It is also known as the “Uranbon Festival.” People prepare Bon trellises, make offerings, and visit graves. The date of the festival varies depending on the region, falling either in July or August.
Okuribi – August 16th
During the Bon Festival, bonfires are lit to send off the spirits of ancestors. In Kyoto, “Gozan-no-Okuribi” is a traditional event where fires are lit to make large characters appear on the mountains. In some areas, “Lantern Floating” and “Spirit Floating” are held, where lit lanterns and offerings are floated down a river.
September
- Nijuyo-no-Sekku – September 1 or thereabouts
- Chou-you-no-Sekku – September 9
- Jugoya – mid-September
- Ohigan – September 20 to 27 approx.
Nijuyo-no-Sekku – around September 1
This day marks the 210th day counting from spring. It is considered the most typhoon-prone period, and many events are held to calm the wind. One of these events is the “Wind Festival.”
Chou-you-no-Sekku – September 9
One of the seasonal festivals where people drink chrysanthemum wine soaked in chrysanthemum flowers and eat rice with chestnuts to pray for longevity.
Jugoya – Mid-September
The night in the middle of autumn when the moon is at its most beautiful. It is also an event to celebrate the autumn harvest, and people make offerings of tsukimi dango (dumplings for moon viewing) and taro. Additionally, there is a custom of “tsukimi” (moon gazing).
Ohigan – September 20 to 27
During this seven-day period before and after the autumnal equinox, people visit graves and make offerings to their ancestors.
October
- Kaminashigetsu – October
- Autumn leaf viewing – late September to late November
- Thirteenth Night – around mid-October
- Halloween – October 31
Kaminashigetsu – October
October is the month when all the gods of Japan gather at Izumo-taisha Shrine, and the gods of other regions are said to be away from their homes.
Autumn leaf viewing – late September to late November
During this season, visitors flock to the mountains and other places to view the vibrant autumn foliage. There are many popular tourist destinations and events for people to enjoy the stunning scenery.
Thirteenth Night – Mid-October
On the Thirteenth Night, like the Jugoya, people traditionally hold moon–viewing gatherings where they offer soybeans and chestnuts, which are harvested at this time of the year.
Halloween – October 31
Halloween is celebrated as a festival to drive out evil spirits and to commemorate the autumn harvest. In recent years, it has become popular for children to dress up in costumes at school and for costume parties to be held in many places throughout Japan.
November
- Risshuchu – November 7
- Boar Festival – First Boar Day in November
- Shichigosan – November 15th
- Tori-no-ichi – Day of the rooster in November
Risshuyu – November 7
November 7 marks the beginning of winter and is also known as Risshuchu, one of the 24 solar terms. This period is accompanied by a cold wind referred to as “kinareashi.”
Boar Festival – November 1 Boar’s Day
The Boar Festival is a western Japan event where people pray for good health by eating “boar’s whelk rice cakes” made from new grain. Traditionally, this day marks the start of using sunken hearths, braziers, and kotatsu.
Shichigosan – November 15
Celebrating the growth of children who have turned 3, 5, and 7 years old, Shichigosan is an event where children wear hakama or kimono and visit shrines. Eating red and white candies called “Chitoseame” is believed to bring good health.
Torinoichi – Day of the Rooster in November
Since the Edo period, the annual Torinoichi event has been held to pray for good luck and prosperous business. It takes place at shrines and various locations throughout Japan, especially in the Kanto region. Lucky charms such as rakes and beckoning cats are sold.
December
- Koto-no-Me – December 8
- Susuwari – December 13
- Otsukoshi – early December until the 20
- Year-end party – Late December
- Christmas – December 25
- New Year’s Eve – December 31
Koto-no-Me – December 8
This day marks the end of the year’s agricultural work. People pierce broken and old needles into tofu and konnyaku, which are then delivered to shrines. Another custom is to make and eat miso soup called “Gojoshiru.”
Susuwari – December 13
On this day, people traditionally clean their homes and get rid of the dust that accumulated during the year. It is considered the start of preparations for the New Year and is also known as “the big cleanup.”
Otsukoshi – from the beginning of December until the 20
These year-end gifts are given as a token of appreciation for the kindness shown by people who have taken care of us throughout the year. Standard items include food, sweets, and alcohol, and they are usually sent between early December and the 20th.
Year-end parties – Late December
These are parties meant to forget the hardships of the year and have been annual events since ancient times.
Christmas – December 25
This day is celebrated as the birthday of Christ and is enjoyed as an end-of-year event with parties and gift exchanges in Japan.
New Year’s Eve – December 31
On this day, people gather with family and friends to welcome the new year. Another custom is to ring the bell 108 times at temples. Additionally, people eat soba (buckwheat noodles) called “Toshikoshi-soba” on New Year’s Eve.