Japan’s national holidays have a strong impact on travel demand, transport conditions, and hotel availability. Below is a practical overview of Japan’s 2026 public holidays to support efficient tour planning.
If arrangements can be initiated at least six months prior to the tour start date, it is generally easier to secure hotels and charter buses.
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National Holiday Calendar
Japan has 16 national holidays each year, and when they fall next to weekends, they often create long holiday breaks. During these periods, many popular tourist destinations and busy city areas become crowded with domestic travelers. If you would like to avoid crowds and enjoy sightseeing at a more relaxed pace, it may be best to plan your visit outside of national holidays.
In this article, we provide an easy-to-read overview of Japan’s national holidays and long weekends in 2026 and 2027, presented in table format. We also explain each holiday in detail to help you plan your trip to Japan more effectively.
Japan National Holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 (Thu) | New Year’s Day |
| Jan 12 (Mon) | Coming of Age Day |
| Feb 11 (Wed) | National Foundation Day |
| Feb 23 (Mon) | Emperor’s Birthday |
| Mar 20 (Fri) | Vernal Equinox Day |
| Apr 29 (Wed) | Showa Day |
| May 3 (Sun) | Constitution Memorial Day |
| May 4 (Mon) | Greenery Day |
| May 5 (Tue) | Children’s Day |
| May 6 (Wed) | Substitute Holiday |
| Jul 20 (Mon) | Marine Day |
| Aug 11 (Tue) | Mountain Day |
| Sep 21 (Mon) | Respect for the Aged Day |
| Sep 22 (Tue) | Citizen’s Holiday |
| Sep 23 (Wed) | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| Oct 12 (Mon) | Sports Day |
| Nov 3 (Tue) | Culture Day |
| Nov 23 (Mon) | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
Japan National Holidays 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 (Fri) | New Year’s Day |
| Jan 11 (Mon) | Coming of Age Day |
| Feb 11 (Thu) | National Foundation Day |
| Feb 23 (Tue) | Emperor’s Birthday |
| Mar 20/21* | Vernal Equinox Day† |
| Mar 22 (Mon) | Substitute Holiday |
| Apr 29 (Thu) | Showa Day |
| May 3 (Mon) | Constitution Memorial Day |
| May 4 (Tue) | Greenery Day |
| May 5 (Wed) | Children’s Day |
| Jul 19 (Mon) | Marine Day |
| Aug 11 (Wed) | Mountain Day |
| Sep 20 (Mon) | Respect for the Aged Day |
| Sep 23 (Thu) | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| Oct 11 (Mon) | Sports Day |
| Nov 3 (Wed) | Culture Day |
| Nov 23 (Tue) | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
Learn about Japan’s customs and travel smart by avoiding peak crowds
What do you think? You may be surprised by how many public holidays Japan has. When planning a trip to Japan, checking not only weekends but also national holidays can help you enjoy a more comfortable and less crowded travel experience.
