Upcoming National Holidays in Japan for the Year 2026
In 2026, Japan will celebrate a total of 17 national holidays. The year will kick off with New Year's Day on January 1, followed by Coming of Age Day on January 12, National Foundation Day on February 11, Emperor's Birthday on February 23, Vernal Equinox Day (around March 20), Showa Day on April 29, Constitution Memorial Day on May 6, Greenery Day on May 4, Children's Day on May 5, Marine Day on July 20, Mountain Day on August 11, Respect for the Aged Day on September 21, Extra holiday for Silver Week on September 22, Autumnal Equinox Day on September 23, Sports Day on October 12, Culture Day on November 3, and Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23.
The extra holiday in 2026, falling on September 22, is part of Silver Week, a counterpart to the long Golden Week break in spring. This rule about ordinary working days between holidays leads to five consecutive days off, making it a much-anticipated period for many.
The first three days of the New Year, including January 2 and 3, are also holidays for most people in Japan. These days are collectively known as sanganichi, a term that refers to the first three days of the New Year in Japan.
Moving on to 2027, the national holidays include New Year's Day on January 1, around late April to early May's Golden Week holidays (specifically April 29, May 2, 3, 4, and 5), September 22 or 23's Autumnal Equinox Day (Shūbun no Hi), the third Monday of September's Respect for the Aged Day (Keirō no Hi), and December 29 to January 3's New Year's holiday period (Oshogatsu), with some consecutive days off possibly extending into January 3 of 2027.
Other established national holidays likely also apply in 2027, such as Coming of Age Day (second Monday of January), National Foundation Day (February 11), Vernal Equinox Day (around March 20), Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), Children's Day (May 5), Marine Day (third Monday of July), Mountain Day (August 11), Obon holiday (a traditional summer holiday period, exact dates vary but mid-August is common), Culture Day (November 3), and Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23).
However, specific dates for these weekdays in 2027 should be confirmed as holidays falling on Sundays can lead to substitute holidays on adjacent weekdays.
It's worth noting that Lunar New Year is celebrated culturally in some places like Yokohama and Kobe Chinatown but is not an official national holiday in Japan. For a precise calendar for 2027 with substitution holidays and weekends adjusted, official Japanese government sources or detailed 2027 holiday calendars should be consulted.
In 2026, Mountain Day falls on August 11, which leads to five consecutive days off, named Silver Week. This extra holiday period is a welcome break for many, making it a popular time for travel and relaxation. The third ever Silver Week will be in 2026, after 2009 and 2015. Companies and schools in Japan generally take the final three weekdays of the year as holidays, also part of sanganichi.
References:
- Japan National Tourism Organization
- Japan Times
- GaijinPot
- In 2027, the national holiday of Vernal Equinox Day (around March 20) could provide an excellent opportunity for individuals to explore Japanese home-and-garden landscaping, as the celebration marks the start of the spring season and the beginning of sustainable-living practices for many households.
- The Lunar New Year, although not a national holiday in Japan, is often observed with cultural significance in certain areas like Yokohama and Kobe Chinatown. This tradition could inspire a unique photo opportunity during the year, blending Japan's rich culture and followers' personal lifestyles.
- Despite not being a national holiday in Japan, Mountain Day (August 11), especially during the Silver Week period, could create a perfect setting for a photo capturing the harmony between modern Japanese lifestyle and the country's beautiful landscapes and rural culture.
