|
Name |
Date |
Details |
New Year
(shogatsu)
|
January 1 |
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 |
The coming of age of 20 year old men and women is celebrated on this national
holiday.
|
National Foundation Day
(kenkoku kinenbi)
|
February 11 |
According to the earliest Japanese history records, on this day in the year 660
BC the first Japanese emperor was crowned. |
Spring Eqinox Day
(shunbun no hi)
|
AroundMarch 20 |
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day. |
Showa Day
(Showa no hi)
|
April 29 |
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 |
A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which was put into effect
after the war. |
Greenery Day
(midori no hi)
|
May 4 |
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 |
Also called boy's festival. |
Ocean Day
(umi no hi)
|
Third Monday of July |
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. |
Respect for the Aged Day
(keiro no hi)
|
Third Monday of September |
Respect for the elderly and longevity are celebrated on this national holiday. |
Autum Equinox Day
(shubun no hi)
|
Around September 23 |
Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day. |
Health and Sports Day
(taiiku no hi)
|
Second Monday of October |
On that day in 1964, the Olympic games of Tokyo were opened. |
Culture Day
(bunka no hi)
|
November 3 |
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. |
Labour Thanksgiving Day
(kinro
kansha no hi)
|
November 23 |
A national holiday for honoring labour. |
Emperor's Birthday
(tenno no tanjobi)
|
December 23 |
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. |