National Holidays in Japan, 2025

The most important holiday in Japan. Many businesses close from January 1st–3rd and traditionally families will often gather to spend these days together. Visiting a shrine on New Year's Eve is customary and the ringing of temple bells can be heard throughout Japan as the clock strikes midnight.

Most shrines and temples throughout the country are at their busiest during this time as people take part in 'Hatsumode'; the year's first visit to a shrine or temple.

Related: Guide to New Years in Japan

On the second Monday of every January, Japan celebrates 'Coming of Age Day'/'Adults Day' (Seijin no Hi).

The Holiday is an important rite of passage for Japanese youth entering into adulthood. All those who turned 20 years old in the previous year can partake in a festival; now recognised as an adult by Japanese society. Always held on the second Monday in January.

Related: Coming of Age Day at Meiji Jingu

This public holiday is held to commemorate the formation of the nation and the establishment of the imperial line by the first Japanese ruler, Jimmu.

The holiday is rather subdued by Japanese standards, with only a few places holding festivals to celebrate the day. Notable, more Japanese flags, including the national flag, can be found raised and placed outside of homes and establishments.

This Japanese holiday celebrates the birth of the current emperor of Japan. Emperor’s Birthday is one of only two days during the year that the Imperial Palace is open to the public.

The emperor and empress, as well as other members of the royal family, appear at the balcony of the palace and welcome all visitors that enter and leave the grounds.

The Vernal Equinox (Shunbun no Hi) is a holiday that marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The day is intended to celebrate the love of nature and living things.

The holiday maintains its older traditions such as visiting family graves and holding family reunions as a common way to celebrate the day.

Children's Day takes place on May 5th and is the final Holiday in the collection of days that make up Golden Week vacation. As the name implies it is a day that celebrates the health and happiness of children.

During this day you will often find colourful carp streamers waving outside in the wind and foods such as Kashiwa-mochi (sticky rice cakes filled with red bean jam and wrapped in oak leaves) and chimaki (sticky sweet rice wrapped in an iris or bamboo leaf) are traditionally served on this day.

Also known as Marine Day (Umi no Hi), is a day the island nation of Japan shows appreciation for the sea and ocean that surrounds the land.

Established as a national holiday in 1996, the modern holiday has no particular traditional ceremonies associated with it. However, national aquariums organize special events and cultural activities relating to the sea. Many locals will take advantage of the summer weather and spend the day at the beach. Sea Day is held on the third Monday in July.

Mountain Day is a public holiday held annually on August 11th and began in 2016.

The holiday is designed for individuals to appreciate Japan's mountainous landscape and the blessings that come from it.

Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro-no-Hi) is a Japan's national holiday that honours elderly citizens and is held on the third Monday in September.

On Respect for the Aged Day, organizations and companies will have special events to help the elderly living in their community or individuals with volunteer; taking part in activities to help those in their communities.

Autumnal Equinox Day is celebrated on a national holiday usually held on either 22nd, 23rd or 24th of September.

The Japanese use Autumnal Equinox Day to pay respects to deceased family members, visit family graves and hold family reunions in honour of those who have passed.

Sports Day is a national holiday in Japan held every year on the second Monday of October.

It celebrates the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo and is held to help promote sports, health and an active lifestyle.

Culture Day (Bunka-no-hi) is held on November 3rd and intended to promote culture, art and academic endeavours.

This day typically contains the holding of art exhibitions, parades and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.

Related: Culture Day Parade in Hikone

Japan's Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated on November 23rd. Intended to celebrate labour, production and give thanks to one another.

Events are held throughout Japan, such as the Nagano city's Labor Festival where they promote being environmentally conscious, peace and human rights.