The following are Japanese national holidays and some of the most important other annual nationwide events. In addition, there are countless local annual festivals.
New Year (shogatsu):
January 1 (national holiday)
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.
Coming of Age (seijin no hi):
Second Monday of January (national holiday)
The coming of age of 20 year old men and women is celebrated on this national holiday.
Beginning of spring (setsubun):
February 3
Setsubun is not a national holiday, but celebrated at shrines and temples nationwide.
National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinenbi):
February 11 (national holiday)
According to the earliest Japanese history records, on this day in the year 660 BC the first Japanese emperor was crowned.
Valentine’s Day:
February 14
In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day. It is not a national holiday.
Doll’s Festival (hina matsuri):
March 3
Also called girl’s festival.
White Day:
March 14
The opposite of Valentine’s Day: Men give cakes or chocolates to women. It is not a national holiday.
Spring Eqinox Day (shunbun no hi):
Around March 20 (national holiday)
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.
Showa Day (Showa no hi):
April 29 (national holiday)
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.
Constitution Day (kenpo kinenbi):
May 3 (national holiday)
A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which was put into effect after the war.
Greenery Day (midori no hi):
May 4 (national holiday)
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.
Children’s Day (kodomo no hi):
May 5 (national holiday)
Also called boy’s festival.
Star Festival (tanabata):
July/August 7
Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday.
Ocean Day (umi no hi):
Third Monday of July (national holiday)
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.
Obon:
July/August 13-15
Obon is a festival to commemorate deceased ancestors.
Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi):
Third Monday of September (national holiday)
Respect for the elderly and longevity are celebrated on this national holiday.
Autum Equinox Day (shubun no hi):
Around September 23 (national holiday)
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.
Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi):
Second Monday of October (national holiday)
On that day in 1964, the Olympic games of Tokyo were opened.
Culture Day (bunka no hi):
November 3 (national holiday)
A day for promotion of culture and the love of freedom and peace. On culture day, schools and the government award selected persons for their special, cultural achievements.
Seven-Five-Three (shichigosan):
November 15
A festival for children, Shichigosan is not a national holiday.
Labour Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi):
November 23 (national holiday)
A national holiday for honoring labour.
Emperor’s Birthday (tenno no tanjobi):
December 23 (national holiday)
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.
Christmas:
December 24-25
Christmas is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated by an increasing number of Japanese.
New Year’s Eve (omisoka):
December 31
December 31 is not a national holiday.
If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will also be a holiday. If a day lies between two national holidays, the day will also be turned into a holiday.