Japanese Public Holidays in 2024

Japan currently has 16 public holidays each year.
As you plan your travel itinerary, it is useful to know when these days fall and what exactly they celebrate.

Now for the fun stuff. What are these holidays, and what do they celebrate?

Overviews

New Year's Day (January 1)

On January 1 or the evening of December 31, many people visit a temple or shrine to pray for happiness and safety in the coming year. This custom is known as "hatsumode."

Coming of Age Day (second Monday of January)

Everyone who turns 18 during this calendar year officially “comes of age.” (In Japan, you can smoke and drink at 20.)

National Foundation Day: (February 11)

A day which commemorates the founding of Japan.
Note: This falls on a Sunday in 2024, so the next day will be a holiday

The Emperor's Birthday: (February 23)

A day which celebrates the current Emperor's birthday.

Vernal Equinox (March 20)

This holiday falls on the vernal equinox every year, either March 20 or 21. It's a day to celebrate nature and care for living things.

Golden Week

A collection of holidays that give people roughly a week off each year. Tokyo will be buzzing will all sorts of events: music, art, food, festivals. The individual holidays are as follows:

Showa Day (April 29)

A day which commemorates the reign of Emperor Hirohito, also known as the Showa Emperor.

Constitution Memorial Day (May 3)

A day which commemorates when Japan's current constitution came into effect.

Greenery Day (May 4)

A day that was established to give thanks to nature and foster generosity.

Children's Day (May 5)

A day to pray for the happy, healthy growth of our children.
Note: This falls on a Sunday in 2024, so the next day will be a holiday

Sea Day (Third Monday of July)

A day to give thanks for the bounty of Japan's oceans.

Mountain Day (August 11)

A day to give thanks for the bounty of Japan's mountains. It falls near the beginning of Bon, a traditional Japanese summer festival. This is a special period of the year when people take time off to return to their family hometowns and commune with their ancestors.
Note: This falls on a Sunday in 2024, so the next day will be a holiday

Respect for the Aged Day (third Monday of September)

A day to respect the elderly and celebrate long life.

Autumnal Equinox (September 22)

This holiday falls on the autumnal equinox every year, either September 22 or 23. It's a day to honor and remember ancestors.
Note: This falls on a Sunday in 2024, so the next day will be a holiday

Sports Day (Second Monday of October)

A day to enjoy physical activity and focus on health both physical and mental.

Culture Day (November 3)

A day to appreciate peace and freedom and celebrate culture. Tokyo will be full of cultural events, and admission to some of Japan's premier museums will be free.
Note: This falls on a Sunday in 2024, so the next day will be a holiday

Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23)

A day to give thanks to working people, industry and culture.

Other holidays and events

October 1 is a special Tokyo holiday called Citizens Day, where many facilities run by the Tokyo government offer free admission.

There are many events in Tokyo that coincide with these holidays.
Visit the Tokyo Event Calendar for more information.