Japan has 16 National Holidays established by the Act on National Holidays, together with additional statutory holidays that can arise under the Act's substitute-holiday and between-holidays rules. In 2026, the official calendar contains 18 holiday dates, including a substitute holiday on May 6 and a statutory holiday on September 22. The schedule below uses the official dates published by Japan's Cabinet Office.
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Next Public Holiday in Japan
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 3, 2026 | Tuesday | Culture Day | Officially Scheduled |
Public Holidays in Japan 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Officially Scheduled |
| January 12, 2026 | Monday | Coming of Age Day | Officially Scheduled |
| February 11, 2026 | Wednesday | National Foundation Day | Officially Scheduled |
| February 23, 2026 | Monday | Emperor's Birthday | Officially Scheduled |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Vernal Equinox Day | Officially Scheduled |
| April 29, 2026 | Wednesday | Showa Day | Officially Scheduled |
| May 3, 2026 | Sunday | Constitution Memorial Day | Officially Scheduled |
| May 4, 2026 | Monday | Greenery Day | Officially Scheduled |
| May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | Children's Day | Officially Scheduled |
| May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | Substitute Holiday | Officially Scheduled |
| July 20, 2026 | Monday | Marine Day | Officially Scheduled |
| August 11, 2026 | Tuesday | Mountain Day | Officially Scheduled |
| September 21, 2026 | Monday | Respect for the Aged Day | Officially Scheduled |
| September 22, 2026 | Tuesday | Citizen's Holiday | Officially Scheduled |
| September 23, 2026 | Wednesday | Autumnal Equinox Day | Officially Scheduled |
| October 12, 2026 | Monday | Sports Day | Officially Scheduled |
| November 3, 2026 | Tuesday | Culture Day | Officially Scheduled |
| November 23, 2026 | Monday | Labor Thanksgiving Day | Officially Scheduled |
How National Holidays Work in Japan
Japan's national holiday system is governed by the Act on National Holidays. The law establishes 16 named National Holidays and states that National Holidays are days off. Some holidays have fixed calendar dates, while others are defined as particular Mondays or by astronomical events such as the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.
The Cabinet Office of Japan publishes the official annual list of National Holidays and other statutory holiday dates. Its 2026 calendar confirms all of the dates used in the VisaBoards holiday database.
Substitute Holidays in Japan
Japan has a statutory substitute-holiday rule. Under Article 3(2) of the Act on National Holidays, when a National Holiday falls on a Sunday, the nearest following day that is not itself a National Holiday becomes a holiday.
This rule applies during Golden Week in 2026. Constitution Memorial Day falls on Sunday, May 3. Because May 4 and May 5 are already National Holidays, the substitute holiday moves to Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
What Is Citizen's Holiday in Japan?
Article 3(3) of Japan's National Holidays Act creates a holiday when a non-holiday is positioned directly between two National Holidays. The Cabinet Office describes this as a day whose previous and following days are both National Holidays.
In 2026, Respect for the Aged Day falls on Monday, September 21 and Autumnal Equinox Day falls on Wednesday, September 23. Tuesday, September 22 therefore becomes a statutory holiday between them. It is commonly referred to in English as a Citizen's Holiday.
Golden Week in Japan in 2026
Golden Week is one of Japan's most important holiday periods. In 2026, Showa Day falls on Wednesday, April 29, followed later by Constitution Memorial Day on Sunday, May 3, Greenery Day on Monday, May 4 and Children's Day on Tuesday, May 5.
Because Constitution Memorial Day falls on Sunday, the statutory substitute holiday is observed on Wednesday, May 6. For people who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off, this creates a continuous five-day break from Saturday, May 2 through Wednesday, May 6.
Showa Day on April 29 remains separated from the May holiday block by April 30 and May 1, which are not national holidays.
Silver Week in Japan in 2026
Japan also has an unusually useful September holiday sequence in 2026. Respect for the Aged Day falls on Monday, September 21 and Autumnal Equinox Day falls on Wednesday, September 23.
Because September 22 is positioned between two National Holidays, it becomes a statutory holiday under Article 3(3). For workplaces that are normally closed on Saturday and Sunday, this creates a five-day break from Saturday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 23.
Vernal and Autumnal Equinox Holidays
Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day differ from most Japanese National Holidays because the National Holidays Act does not assign them fixed Gregorian dates. Instead, the law defines them by the astronomical vernal and autumnal equinox days.
The Cabinet Office explains that the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan publishes the following year's equinox dates each February in Japan's official gazette. For 2026, the officially published National Holiday dates are March 20 for Vernal Equinox Day and September 23 for Autumnal Equinox Day.
Monday National Holidays in Japan
Several Japanese holidays are legally scheduled on Mondays rather than on fixed dates. This system regularly creates three-day weekends for people who normally have Saturday and Sunday off.
- Coming of Age Day is held on the second Monday of January.
- Marine Day is held on the third Monday of July.
- Respect for the Aged Day is held on the third Monday of September.
- Sports Day is held on the second Monday of October.
In 2026, these holidays fall on January 12, July 20, September 21 and October 12 respectively.
Long Weekends in Japan in 2026
The official Japanese government guidance highlights several extended breaks in 2026. For workplaces following a standard Saturday-Sunday weekend, Golden Week produces a five-day break in May and the September holiday sequence produces another five-day break.
There are also several three-day weekend opportunities during the year, including Coming of Age Day in January, Emperor's Birthday in February, Vernal Equinox Day in March, Marine Day in July, Sports Day in October and Labor Thanksgiving Day in November.
Actual days off can vary by employer. A National Holiday does not mean that every private business, shop, restaurant or attraction must close.
Are Shops and Businesses Closed on National Holidays in Japan?
Not necessarily. Japan's National Holidays Act establishes National Holidays as holidays, but individual workplace schedules differ. Many shops, restaurants, tourist attractions and transport services continue operating on National Holidays, although opening hours may change.
Travelers should check the operating schedule of a specific attraction, business or service when planning around Golden Week, New Year or other busy holiday periods.
Are Public Holiday Dates the Same Every Year in Japan?
No. Some holidays have fixed dates, while others move each year. Coming of Age Day, Marine Day, Respect for the Aged Day and Sports Day are tied to particular Mondays. Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day depend on officially published astronomical dates.
Substitute holidays and holidays created between two National Holidays also depend on how the calendar falls in a particular year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holiday dates are there in Japan in 2026?
Japan's official 2026 calendar contains 18 holiday dates. Sixteen are named National Holidays, while May 6 and September 22 are additional statutory holidays created under Article 3 of the National Holidays Act.
How many named National Holidays does Japan have?
Japan has 16 named National Holidays under the Act on National Holidays.
What is the next public holiday in Japan?
The next holiday changes as the year progresses. The live VisaBoards section near the top of this page displays the next upcoming public holiday using the current holiday database.
Is May 6, 2026 a public holiday in Japan?
Yes. May 6, 2026 is an official statutory holiday because Constitution Memorial Day falls on Sunday, May 3 and May 4 and May 5 are already National Holidays. The substitute holiday therefore falls on May 6.
Why is September 22, 2026 a holiday in Japan?
September 22 is positioned between Respect for the Aged Day on September 21 and Autumnal Equinox Day on September 23. Under Article 3(3) of the National Holidays Act, a non-holiday positioned between two National Holidays becomes a holiday.
When is Golden Week in Japan in 2026?
The principal Golden Week holiday block runs through early May. For people with a standard Saturday-Sunday weekend, the 2026 calendar creates a continuous break from May 2 through May 6 because May 3-5 are National Holidays and May 6 is a substitute holiday.
When is Silver Week in Japan in 2026?
The September 2026 calendar creates a five-day period from September 19 through September 23 for people who normally have weekends off. National holidays fall on September 21 and September 23, while September 22 becomes a statutory holiday between them.
Is New Year's Eve a National Holiday in Japan?
No. December 31 is not one of Japan's National Holidays under the Act on National Holidays. New Year's Day on January 1 is the official National Holiday.
Are the equinox holiday dates estimated?
The dates should not be treated as unofficial estimates once they have been formally published. Japan's National Astronomical Observatory determines the relevant equinox dates, which are published in the official gazette. The Cabinet Office lists March 20 and September 23 as the official 2026 holiday dates.
Who publishes Japan's official public holiday calendar?
The Cabinet Office of Japan publishes the official list of National Holidays and statutory holiday dates. The holiday framework is established by the Act on National Holidays.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Japan
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