Public holidays in Japan in March 2026 and 2027
March has 1 day off in 2026 and 2 in 2027: Vernal Equinox Day, Substitute holiday. 3,497,755 visitors arrived in Japan in March 2025.
Public holidays in March
2026 and 2027 together, by date.
| Holiday | Date | Days off in a row |
|---|---|---|
| Vernal Equinox Day春分の日 | Friday 20 March 2026 | 3 days (20–22 March) |
| Vernal Equinox Day春分の日 | Sunday 21 March 2027 | 3 days (20–22 March) |
| Substitute holiday振替休日 | Monday 22 March 2027 | 3 days (20–22 March) |
Long weekends in March
Weekends and holidays that join up into three days off or more.
| Dates | Days off | From – to | Holidays in it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–22 March 2026 | 3 days | Fri – Sun | Vernal Equinox Day |
| 20–22 March 2027 | 3 days | Sat – Mon | Vernal Equinox Day · Substitute holiday |
Days when the Shinkansen is hardest to book
JR Central and JR West make every Nozomi reserved-seat only on these days.
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.
| Period | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Vernal Equinox Day weekend | 20–22 March 2027 | 3 days |
Source: JR Central and JR West — Days when every Nozomi is reserved-seat only, fiscal 2026 (21 May 2026)
How busy March is with visitors
3,497,755 visitors arrived in March 2025, the 7th busiest month of the year. The figure for March 2026 is 3,619,159 (provisional or estimated).
Visitor arrivals to Japan by month, 2025
Final figures. The highlighted bar is this month.
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) — Visitor arrivals to Japan (released 16 September 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Are there public holidays in Japan in March?
Yes. Vernal Equinox Day is Friday 20 March 2026. Vernal Equinox Day is Sunday 21 March 2027. Substitute holiday is Monday 22 March 2027.
How many tourists visit Japan in March?
3,497,755 visitors arrived in March 2025, the 7th highest of the 12 months (JNTO final figures).
Which days in March are hardest to book on the Shinkansen?
Every Nozomi is reserved-seat only on these days: 20–22 March 2027 (Vernal Equinox Day weekend).
Related items
Sources for this page
- Cabinet Office National holidays (国民の祝日について)checked October 1, 2026
- JR Central and JR West Days when every Nozomi is reserved-seat only, fiscal 2026 (21 May 2026)checked October 1, 2026
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Visitor arrivals to Japan (released 16 September 2026)checked October 1, 2026
Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026