eclectic content (identifying label)

Holidays in Japan


[ Japanese Festivals ]
[ ]


The following are Japanese national holidays and some of the most important other annual nationwide events. In addition, there are countless local annual festivals.

January 1 (national holiday)
New Year (shogatsu):
This is the most important holiday in Japan. While only January 1 is designated as a national holiday, many businesses remain closed through January 3. Please visit our New Year page for more information.

Second Monday of January (national holiday)
Coming of Age (seijin no hi):
The coming of age of 20 year old men and women is celebrated on this national holiday. Please visit our Coming of Age page for more information.

February 3
Beginning of spring (setsubun):
Setsubun is not a national holiday, but celebrated at shrines and temples nationwide. Please visit our Setsubun page for more information.

February 11 (national holiday)
National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinenbi):
According to the earliest Japanese history records, on this day in the year 660 BC the first Japanese emperor was crowned.

February 14
Valentine's Day:
In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day. It is not a national holiday. Please visit our Valentine's Day page for more information.

March 3
Doll's Festival (hina matsuri):
Also called girl's festival. Please visit our Doll's Festival page for more information.

March 14
White Day:
The opposite of Valentine's Day: Men give cakes or chocolates to women. It is not a national holiday. Please visit our White Day page for more information.

March 21 (national holiday)
Spring Eqinox Day (shunbun no hi):
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.

April 29 (national holiday)
Showa Day (Showa no hi):
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 3 (national holiday)
Constitution Day (kenpo kinenbi):
A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which was put into effect after the war. Please visit our Golden Week page for more information.

May 4 (national holiday)
Greenery Day (midori no hi):
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. It is now celebrated on May 4 and is part of the Golden Week.

May 5 (national holiday)
Children's Day (kodomo no hi):
Also called boy's festival. Please visit our Golden Week page for more information.

July/August 7
Star Festival (tanabata):
Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday. Please visit our Tanabata page for more information.

Third Monday of July (national holiday)
Ocean Day (umi no hi):
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/August 13-15
Obon:
Obon is a festival to commemorate the deceased ancestors. Please visit our Obon page for more information.

Third Monday of September (national holiday)
Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi):
Respect for the elderly and longlivity is celebrated on this national holiday.

September 23 (national holiday)
Autum Equinox Day (shubun no hi):
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.

Second Monday of October (national holiday)
Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi):
On that day 1964, the Olympic games of Tokyo were opened.

November 3 (national holiday)
Culture Day (bunka no hi):
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 15
Seven-Five-Three (shichigosan):
A festival for children, Shichigosan is not a national holiday. Please visit our Shichigosan page for more information.

November 23 (national holiday)
Labour Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi):
A national holiday for honoring labour.

December 23 (national holiday)
Emperor's Birthday (tenno no tanjobi):
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 24-25
Christmas:
Christmas is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated by an increasing number of Japanese. Please visit our Christmas page for more information.

December 31
New Year's Eve (omisoka):
December 31 is not a national holiday. Please visit our New Year page for more information.
If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will also be a holiday. If a day lies between two national holidays, the day will also be turned into a holiday.

 

  


  
Links:

Advice or questions about Japanese Holidays? Voice them in the forum!