Japan public holidays 2027
Japan has 17 days off in 2027: the 16 national holidays plus a substitute holiday on Monday 22 March 2027. There are 6 three-day weekends, and Golden Week gives 5 days off in a row from 1 to 5 May.
17days off in 2027
6three-day weekends
5days in a row at the longest break
Final dates
All 17 days off in 2027
Sorted by date. The highlighted rows are the longest break of the year.
| Holiday | Date | Days off in a row |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day元日 | Friday 1 January | 3 days (1–3 January) |
| Coming of Age Day成人の日 | Monday 11 January | 3 days (9–11 January) |
| National Foundation Day建国記念の日 | Thursday 11 February | 1 day |
| Emperor's Birthday天皇誕生日 | Tuesday 23 February | 1 day |
| Vernal Equinox Day春分の日 | Sunday 21 March | 3 days (20–22 March) |
| Substitute holiday振替休日 | Monday 22 March | 3 days (20–22 March) |
| Showa Day昭和の日 | Thursday 29 April | 1 day |
| Constitution Memorial Day憲法記念日 | Monday 3 May | 5 days (1–5 May) |
| Greenery Dayみどりの日 | Tuesday 4 May | 5 days (1–5 May) |
| Children's Dayこどもの日 | Wednesday 5 May | 5 days (1–5 May) |
| Marine Day海の日 | Monday 19 July | 3 days (17–19 July) |
| Mountain Day山の日 | Wednesday 11 August | 1 day |
| Respect for the Aged Day敬老の日 | Monday 20 September | 3 days (18–20 September) |
| Autumnal Equinox Day秋分の日 | Thursday 23 September | 1 day |
| Sports Dayスポーツの日 | Monday 11 October | 3 days (9–11 October) |
| Culture Day文化の日 | Wednesday 3 November | 1 day |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day勤労感謝の日 | Tuesday 23 November | 1 day |
Long weekends in 2027
Weekends and holidays that join up into three days off or more. 2027 has 7 of them.
| Dates | Days off | From – to | Holidays in it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 January 2027 | 3 days | Fri – Sun | New Year's Day |
| 9–11 January 2027 | 3 days | Sat – Mon | Coming of Age Day |
| 20–22 March 2027 | 3 days | Sat – Mon | Vernal Equinox Day · Substitute holiday |
| 1–5 May 2027 | 5 days | Sat – Wed | Constitution Memorial Day · Greenery Day · Children's Day |
| 17–19 July 2027 | 3 days | Sat – Mon | Marine Day |
| 18–20 September 2027 | 3 days | Sat – Mon | Respect for the Aged Day |
| 9–11 October 2027 | 3 days | Sat – Mon | Sports Day |
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.
| Period | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Year-end and New Year | 25 December 2026 – 5 January 2027 | 12 days |
| Coming of Age Day weekend | 9–11 January 2027 | 3 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)
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.
| Place | Usually closed | On a public holiday | Year-end and New Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banks | Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays | Closed | 31 December – 3 January |
| Tokyo National Museum | Mondays | Open on a Monday holiday, closed the next day | 26–31 December 2026 |
| National Museum of Western Art | Mondays | Open on a Monday holiday, closed the next day | 28 December – 1 January |
| Kyoto National Museum | Mondays | Open on a Monday holiday, closed the next day | Closed over the year-end and New Year holidays |
| Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden | Mondays | Closed the next weekday instead | 29 December – 3 January |
| Imperial Palace tours | Sundays and Mondays | No 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in Japan in 2027?
17 days off: the 16 national holidays plus 1 extra day off under Article 3 of the Act on National Holidays.
When is Golden Week 2027?
Showa Day is Thursday 29 April 2027. The longest run of days off is 5 days, from Saturday 1 May to Wednesday 5 May 2027.
What is the longest break in 2027?
5 days in a row, from Saturday 1 May to Wednesday 5 May 2027.
Why is Monday 22 March 2027 a day off?
Vernal Equinox Day falls on Sunday 21 March, so Monday 22 March is off (Article 3, paragraph 2).
Related items
Sources for this page
- Cabinet Office National holidays (国民の祝日について)checked October 1, 2026
- Cabinet Office National holidays 1955–2027 (CSV)checked October 1, 2026
- Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice Act on National Holidays (official English translation)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
- Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice Enforcement Order of the Banking Act, Article 5 (official English translation)checked October 1, 2026
- Tokyo National Museum Getting here, admission and hourschecked October 1, 2026
- National Museum of Western Art Visitchecked October 1, 2026
- Kyoto National Museum Visitchecked October 1, 2026
- The National Art Center, Tokyo Informationchecked October 1, 2026
- Ministry of the Environment Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: admission and closed dayschecked October 1, 2026
- Imperial Household Agency Imperial Palace tourschecked October 1, 2026
Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026