Annual events

The following are Japanese national holidays and some of the most important other annual nationwide events. In addition, there are countless local annual festivals.

If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also turned into a holiday. Likewise, a day sandwiched between two national holidays is turned into a holiday.

Shops, restaurants and tourist attractions in Japan are generally open on national holidays, except on New Year.

Please consult our event calendar for exact dates.

• January 1 (national holiday)
  New Year (shogatsu):
  This is the most important holiday in Japan. While only January 1 is designated as a national holiday, many businesses remain closed through January 3. More information is available on the New Year page.
• Second Monday of January (national holiday)
  Coming of Age (seijin no hi):
  The coming of age of 20 year old men and women is celebrated on this national holiday. More information is available on the Coming of Age page.
• February 3
  Beginning of spring (setsubun):
  Setsubun is not a national holiday, but celebrated at shrines and temples nationwide. More information is available on the Setsubun page.
• February 11 (national holiday)
  National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinenbi):
  According to the earliest Japanese history records, on this day in the year 660 BC the first Japaneseemperor was crowned.
• February 14
  Valentine's Day:
  In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day. It is not a national holiday. More information is available on the Valentine's Day page.
• March 3
  Doll's Festival (hina matsuri):
  Also called girl's festival. More information is available on the Doll's Festival page.
• March 14
  White Day:
  The opposite of Valentine's Day: Men give cakes or chocolates to women. It is not a national holiday. More information is available on the White Day page.
• Around March 20 (national holiday)
  Spring Equinox Day (shunbun no hi):
  Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.
• April 29 (national holiday)
  Showa Day (Showa no hi):
  The birthday of former Emperor Showa. Before 2007, April 29 was known as Greenery Day (now celebrated on May 4). Showa Day is part of the Golden Week.
• May 3 (national holiday)
  Constitution Day (kenpo kinenbi):
  A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which was put into effect after the war. More information is available on the Golden Week page.
• May 4 (national holiday)
  Greenery Day (midori no hi):
  Until 2006, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29, the former Emperor Showa's birthday, due to the emperor's love for plants and nature. It is now celebrated on May 4 and is part of the Golden Week.
• May 5 (national holiday)
  Children's Day (kodomo no hi):
  Also called boy's festival. More information is available on the Golden Week page.
• July/August 7
  Star Festival (tanabata):
  Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday. More information is available on the Tanabata page.
• Third Monday of July (national holiday)
  Ocean Day (umi no hi):
  A recently introduced national holiday to celebrate the ocean. The day marks the return of Emperor Meiji from a boat trip to Hokkaido in 1876.
• July/August 13-15
  Obon:
  Obon is a festival to commemorate deceased ancestors. More information is available on the Obon page.
• Third Monday of September (national holiday)
  Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi):
  Respect for the elderly and longevity are celebrated on this national holiday.
• Around September 23 (national holiday)
  Autum Equinox Day (shubun no hi):
  Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.
• Second Monday of October (national holiday)
  Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi):
  On that day in 1964, the Olympic games of Tokyo were opened.
• November 3 (national holiday)
  Culture Day (bunka no hi):
  A day for promotion of culture and the love of freedom and peace. On culture day, schools and thegovernment award selected persons for their special, cultural achievements.
• November 15
  Seven-Five-Three (shichigosan):
  A festival for children, Shichigosan is not a national holiday. More information is available on theShichigosan page.
• November 23 (national holiday)
  Labour Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi):
  A national holiday for honoring labour.
• December 23 (national holiday)
  Emperor's Birthday (tenno no tanjobi):
  The birthday of the current emperor is always a national holiday. If the emperor changes, the national holiday changes to the birthday date of the new emperor.
• December 24-25
  Christmas:
  Christmas is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated by an increasing number of Japanese. More information is available on the Christmas page.
• December 31
  New Year's Eve (omisoka):
  December 31 is not a national holiday. More information is available on the New Year page.