Japan Public Holidays
Public/ national holiday system in Japan
On average, there are around 15 public holidays a year in Japan.
There are four public holidays: Coming of age day; Marine day; Respect of the Aged day; Health-Sports day which are scheduled to come on Mondays so the date is subject to change every year.
If any of the remaining public holidays fall on a Sunday, there will be a substitute holiday on the following Monday.
If any of the holidays fall on a Satuday, however, there will be no subsitute holiday. An example could be seen below under Japan public holidays in 2012, where 4 public holidays fall on a Saturday and the total public holidays in 2012 becomes 11.
Japan public holidays in 2011
1/1 First Day of the Year
1/10 Coming of Age Day
2/11 National Foundation Day
3/21 Spring Equinox
4/29 Showa Day
5/3 Constitution Day
5/4 “Green Day”
5/5 Children Day
7/18 Marine Day
9/20 Respect of the Aged
9/23 Autumn Equinox
10/10 Health-Sports Day
11/3 Culture Day
11/23 Labor Thanksgiving Day
12/23 Emperor’s Birthday
Japan public holiday in 2012
1/1 First Day of the Year
1/9 Coming of Age Day
2/11 National Foundation Day (Saturday)
3/20 Spring Equinox
4/29 Showa Day (Substitute holiday on Monday 4/30)
5/3 Constitution Day
5/4 “Green Day”
5/5 Children Day (Saturday)
7/16 Marine Day
9/17 Respect of the Aged
9/22 Autumn Equinox (Saturday)
10/8 Health-Sports Day
11/3 Culture Day (Saturday)
11/23 Labor Thanksgiving Day
12/23 Emperor’s Birthday (Substitute holiday on Monday 12/24)
Other significant holidays in Japan
In Japan, there are 3 main holidays throughout the year. New Year holidays, Golden week and “Obon”.
- The Japanese New Year celebrated on 1st Janauary is the most important holiday of the year. Companies in Japan usually close their offices for about a week, around 3 days prior to the New Year and 3 days after the New Year.
- Golden week is where there are three consecutive national holidays. Many workers in Japan combine their paid vacations with the national holidays and take a week long vacation.
-”Obon” is a Buddhist festival period in August and many Japanese companies give their workers a week’s holiday during this period.