We’d be remiss if we didn’t provide an ultimate guide to Japanese holidays for you. Japan enjoys numerous holidays throughout the year, and some of them could even be paid vacation days for you!
Japanese Public Holidays 2020
Here’s a list of Japan’s Public Holidays in 2020:
|
Date |
Event |
Remarks |
| 01/01/2020 | Japanese New Year | This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day to celebrate the new year. New Year’s Day marks the beginning of Japan’s most important holiday season, the New Year season (Shōgatsu), which generally refers to the first one, three or seven days of the year. Although not prescribed by law, many workplaces are closed from December 29 to January 3. Prior to 1948, New Year’s Day was a national holiday on which the imperial worship ceremony is known as Shihō-hai took place. |
| 01/13/2020 | Coming of Age Day | This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day to congratulate and encourage people who have reached the age of maturity (20) during the year. Cities and towns throughout the nation hold ceremonies for these people. Originally held on January 15, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of January in accordance with the Happy Monday System. |
| 02/11/2020 | National Foundation Year | This national holiday was established in 1966 (and first held in 1967) as a day to reflect on the establishment of the nation and to nurture a love for the country. From 1872 to 1948, February 11 was known as Kigen-setsu, a holiday commemorating the day on which—according to the Nihon Shoki—Emperor Jimmu is said to have acceded the throne in 660 BCE. |
| 02/23/2020 | Emperor Birthday | The birthday of the reigning emperor has been a national holiday since 1868. Originally known as Tenchō-setsu, it was renamed Tennō tanjōbi in 1948. It is currently celebrated on February 23; Emperor Naruhito was born on this day in 1960. (Prior to the abdication of Emperor Akihito in 2019, this holiday was celebrated on December 23.) |
| 03/20/2020 | Vernal Equinox Day | This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things. Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called Shunki kōrei-sai. |
| 04/29/2020 | Showa Day | This national holiday was established in 2007 as a day to reflect on the events of the Shōwa period. As the birthday of Hirohito, officially known as Emperor Shōwa, April 29 was originally celebrated as a holiday during his lifetime. Hirohito was born on this day in 1901. (See “The Emperor’s Birthday” above.) After the death of Hirohito in 1989, the date continued to be a holiday under the new name “Greenery Day”. (See also below.) In 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 took the name “Shōwa Day” in honor of the late Emperor. Shōwa Day marks the start of the Golden Week holiday period. |
| 05/03/2020 | Constitution Memorial Day | This national holiday was established in 1948, to commemorate the day on which Japan’s postwar constitution took effect. Constitution Memorial Day falls during Golden Week. |
| 05/04/2020 | Greenery Day | This national holiday is celebrated as a day to commune with nature and be grateful for its blessings. Originally established in 1989 and held annually on April 29 (the late Shōwa Emperor’s birthday), in 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 was renamed “Shōwa Day” (see above.) Greenery Day falls during Golden Week. (From 1985 to 2006, May 4 was a kokumin no kyūjitsu holiday). |
| 05/05/2020 | Childrens Day | This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. It is on this day that the Japanese equivalent of the Dragon Boat Festival (Tango no Sekku) is held. On this day, and for some time before it, families who have a boy in their home may fly koinobori and decorate their homes with armor or samurai dolls. Children’s Day marks the end of Golden Week. |
| 07/23/2020 | Marine Day | This national holiday was established in 1995 (and first held in 1996) as a day of gratitude for the blessings of the oceans and for hoping for the prosperity of the maritime nation that is Japan. Originally held on July 20, in 2003 it was changed to the third Monday of July in accordance with the Happy Monday System. |
| 08/11/2020 | Mountain Day | This national holiday was established in 2014 (and first held in 2016), as a day on which to appreciate Japan’s mountains. It is intended to coincide with the vacation time usually given during the Bon Festival held in mid-August. |
| 09/21/2020 | Respect for the Aged Day | This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day to respect the elderly and celebrate a long life. Originally held on September 15, it originated as a renaming of Old Folks’ Day (Rōjin no hi). In 2003, it was changed to the third Monday of September in accordance with the Happy Monday System. |
| 09/22/2020 | Autumn Equinox Day | This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day on which to honor one’s ancestors and remember the dead. Prior to 1948, the autumnal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called Shūki kōrei-sai. |
| 10/12/2020 | Health and Sports Day | This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body. Originally held on October 10 to commemorate the anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of October in accordance with the Happy Monday System. |
| 11/03/2020 | Culture Day | This national holiday was established in 1948. It commemorates the November 3, 1946 announcement of the Constitution. It is recognized as a day to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture. (Although prior to the establishment of this holiday in 1948, November 3 was also a national holiday called Meiji-Setsu commemorating the birthday of Emperor Meiji, the two holidays are ostensibly unrelated). |
| 11/23/2020 | Labor Thanksgiving Day | This national holiday was established in 1948 as an occasion for praising labor, celebrating production and giving one other thanks. Prior to the establishment of this holiday, November 23 was celebrated as an imperial harvest festival called Niiname-sai. |
Long Vacations in Japan – 2020
If you want to know when to book your next long vacation, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the list of Japan’s longest holidays.
Japan’s New Year’s Celebrations
Japan’s New Year starts January 1 and ends on January 3, businesses give their employees time to spend with their families over the holiday
Golden Week
Golden Week really is golden when it comes to days off! It’s a week full of public holidays, five in total to be exact, where you’ll be sure to enjoy a long weekend off. Golden Week starts on April 29 and ends on May 5th. Holidays are scattered throughout Golden Week, so without further ado, here are the holidays:
- 04/29/2020 Showa day
- 04/30/2020 Not a holiday
- 05/01/2020 Ascension of the New Emperor, Coronation Day
- 05/02/2020 Not a holiday
- 05/03/2020 Constitution Day in Japan
- 05/04/2020 Greenery Day
- 05/05/2020 Children’s Day
If you want consecutive days off, be sure to put in for 30 April and 2 May. If you submit your time off request three months in advance, you’ll probably be at the top of the approval list. We recommend three months in advance since most employees request time off 1-2 months before Golden Week.
