Public holidays in Japan
National holidays under the Act on National Holidays. Is today a holiday, what is on this week, and when is the next day off — worked out for Asia/Tokyo time.
Today in Japan
This week
Coming up
- Thursday 1 January — New Year's Day
- Monday 12 January — Coming of Age Day
- Wednesday 11 February — Foundation Day
- Monday 23 February — Emperor's Birthday
- Friday 20 March — Vernal Equinox Day
- Wednesday 29 April — Showa Day
About holidays in Japan
Japan has sixteen national holidays. When one falls on a Sunday, the next non-holiday becomes a substitute holiday, and a weekday sandwiched between two holidays becomes a holiday too — that is how Golden Week and some September weeks grow. The two equinox holidays are confirmed a year ahead, when the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan publishes the next year's calendar.
All Japan public holidays in 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January | New Year's Day |
| Monday 12 January | Coming of Age Day |
| Wednesday 11 February | Foundation Day |
| Monday 23 February | Emperor's Birthday |
| Friday 20 March | Vernal Equinox Day |
| Wednesday 29 April | Showa Day |
| Sunday 3 May | Constitution Day |
| Monday 4 May | Greenery Day |
| Tuesday 5 May | Children's Day |
| Wednesday 6 May | Substitute Holiday day off in lieu |
| Monday 20 July | Marine Day |
| Tuesday 11 August | Mountain Day |
| Monday 21 September | Respect for the Aged Day |
| Tuesday 22 September | National Holiday |
| Wednesday 23 September | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| Monday 12 October | Sports Day |
| Tuesday 3 November | Culture Day |
| Monday 23 November | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
Full month-by-month calendars: 2026 calendar · 2027 calendar.
Questions and answers
How many public holidays does Japan have in 2026?
This list has 17 holiday dates in 2026, plus 1 substitute day off. It covers national holidays under the Act on National Holidays.
Which Japan holidays fall on a weekend in 2026?
Constitution Day (Sunday 3 May). Where the rules give a substitute day off, it is listed separately.
Which dates could still change?
None of the 2026 dates depend on a moon sighting, but governments can still add one-off holidays during the year.
Which time zone does “today” use on this page?
Asia/Tokyo, the country's time zone. The status box at the top is worked out in your browser from your device clock.
Where are the official dates published?
Cabinet Office — National holidays. When this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right.
For reference only — governments can add, move or cancel holidays at short notice. Confirm with the official source: Cabinet Office — National holidays. Data: the open-source holidays library (MIT), spot-checked against official 2026 calendars.