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Japan public holidays 2026

Japan has 18 days off in 2026: the 16 national holidays plus a substitute holiday on Wednesday 6 May 2026 and a Citizens' Holiday on Tuesday 22 September 2026. There are 6 three-day weekends, and Golden Week gives 5 days off in a row from 2 to 6 May.

Updated

18days off in 2026
6three-day weekends
5days in a row at the longest break

Final dates

All 18 days off in 2026

Sorted by date. The highlighted rows are the longest break of the year.

Public holidays in Japan in 2026, with weekdays (Cabinet Office)
HolidayDateDays off in a row
New Year's Day元日Thursday 1 January1 day
Coming of Age Day成人の日Monday 12 January3 days (10–12 January)
National Foundation Day建国記念の日Wednesday 11 February1 day
Emperor's Birthday天皇誕生日Monday 23 February3 days (21–23 February)
Vernal Equinox Day春分の日Friday 20 March3 days (20–22 March)
Showa Day昭和の日Wednesday 29 April1 day
Constitution Memorial Day憲法記念日Sunday 3 May5 days (2–6 May)
Greenery Dayみどりの日Monday 4 May5 days (2–6 May)
Children's Dayこどもの日Tuesday 5 May5 days (2–6 May)
Substitute holiday振替休日Wednesday 6 May5 days (2–6 May)
Marine Day海の日Monday 20 July3 days (18–20 July)
Mountain Day山の日Tuesday 11 August1 day
Respect for the Aged Day敬老の日Monday 21 September5 days (19–23 September)
Citizens' Holiday国民の休日Tuesday 22 September5 days (19–23 September)
Autumnal Equinox Day秋分の日Wednesday 23 September5 days (19–23 September)
Sports Dayスポーツの日Monday 12 October3 days (10–12 October)
Culture Day文化の日Tuesday 3 November1 day
Labor Thanksgiving Day勤労感謝の日Monday 23 November3 days (21–23 November)

Source: Cabinet Office — National holidays (国民の祝日について)

Long weekends in 2026

Weekends and holidays that join up into three days off or more. 2026 has 8 of them.

Breaks of three days or more in 2026, counting Saturdays and Sundays
DatesDays offFrom – toHolidays in it
10–12 January 20263 daysSat – MonComing of Age Day
21–23 February 20263 daysSat – MonEmperor's Birthday
20–22 March 20263 daysFri – SunVernal Equinox Day
2–6 May 20265 daysSat – WedConstitution Memorial Day · Greenery Day · Children's Day · Substitute holiday
18–20 July 20263 daysSat – MonMarine Day
19–23 September 20265 daysSat – WedRespect for the Aged Day · Citizens' Holiday · Autumnal Equinox Day
10–12 October 20263 daysSat – MonSports Day
21–23 November 20263 daysSat – MonLabor Thanksgiving Day

Source: Cabinet Office — National holidays (国民の祝日について)

Days when the Shinkansen is hardest to book

JR Central and JR West make every Nozomi reserved-seat only on the days when the most people travel.

Every Nozomi is reserved-seat only on these days. Passengers with an unreserved ticket cannot take a seat on a Nozomi. Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho and Sakura trains keep their unreserved cars.

Days when every Nozomi on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen is reserved-seat only (JR Central and JR West, fiscal 2026)
PeriodDatesDays
Golden Week24 April – 6 May 202613 days
Obon7–16 August 202610 days
Silver Week18–23 September 20266 days
Sports Day weekend10–12 October 20263 days
Labor Thanksgiving Day weekend21–23 November 20263 days
Year-end and New Year25 December 2026 – 5 January 202712 days

Source: JR Central and JR West — Days when every Nozomi is reserved-seat only, fiscal 2026 (21 May 2026)

This list covers JR's fiscal year 2026, which ends on 31 March 2027.

What closes on public holidays

Banks close. The national museums in Tokyo and Kyoto open on a Monday holiday and close on the next day instead.

When banks, museums and gardens close (each operator's own page)
PlaceUsually closedOn a public holidayYear-end and New Year
BanksSaturdays, Sundays and public holidaysClosed31 December – 3 January
Tokyo National MuseumMondaysOpen on a Monday holiday, closed the next day26–31 December 2026
National Museum of Western ArtMondaysOpen on a Monday holiday, closed the next day28 December – 1 January
Kyoto National MuseumMondaysOpen on a Monday holiday, closed the next dayClosed over the year-end and New Year holidays
Shinjuku Gyoen National GardenMondaysClosed the next weekday instead29 December – 3 January
Imperial Palace toursSundays and MondaysNo tours (unless the holiday is a Saturday)28 December – 4 January

What each holiday marks

The wording comes from the official English translation of the Act on National Holidays.

The 16 national holidays and their dates
New Year's Day
January 1. This day celebrates the beginning of the year.
Coming of Age Day
The second Monday in January. This day celebrates young people who have reached adulthood and are determined to forge their own path in life.
National Foundation Day
February 11, set by Cabinet Order. This day is for commemorating the founding of Japan and cultivating national pride.
Emperor's Birthday
February 23. This day celebrates the Emperor's birthday.
Vernal Equinox Day
The day of the vernal equinox. This day is for honoring nature and cherishing living beings.
Showa Day
April 29. This day is for looking back on the Showa era, a period of recovery after tumultuous times, and contemplating the future of the country of Japan.
Constitution Memorial Day
May 3. This day is for commemorating the implementation of the Constitution of Japan and anticipating the nation's continued growth.
Greenery Day
May 4. This day is for getting acquainted with nature, expressing gratitude for its blessings, and cultivating a rich spirit.
Children's Day
May 5. This day is for honoring the personality of children, working towards their happiness, and expressing gratitude to mothers.
Marine Day
The third Monday in July. This day is for expressing gratitude for the blessings from the sea and hoping for the prosperity of Japan, a maritime nation.
Mountain Day
August 11. This day is for seizing the opportunity to acquaint oneself with the mountains and expressing gratitude for their blessings.
Respect for the Aged Day
The third Monday in September. This day is for honoring the elderly who have contributed to society over the years and celebrating their longevity.
Autumnal Equinox Day
The day of the autumnal equinox. This day is for honoring ancestors and commemorating those who have passed away.
Sports Day
The second Monday in October. This day is for enjoying sports, fostering a spirit of respect for others, and aspiring for a realization of a healthy and dynamic society.
Culture Day
November 3. This day is for cherishing freedom and peace, and nurturing culture.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
November 23. This day is for appreciating labor, celebrating productivity, and expressing mutual gratitude among citizens.

Source: Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice — Act on National Holidays (official English translation)

Frequently asked questions

How many public holidays are there in Japan in 2026?

18 days off: the 16 national holidays plus 2 extra days off under Article 3 of the Act on National Holidays.

When is Golden Week 2026?

Showa Day is Wednesday 29 April 2026. The longest run of days off is 5 days, from Saturday 2 May to Wednesday 6 May 2026.

What is the longest break in 2026?

5 days in a row, from Saturday 2 May to Wednesday 6 May 2026.

Why is Wednesday 6 May 2026 a day off?

Constitution Memorial Day fell on Sunday 3 May, so the next day that is not a holiday is off (Article 3, paragraph 2).

Related items

Sources for this page

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026