National Holidays

January

New Year’s Holiday - January 1
The entire country shuts down.  People visit local Shinto Shrines at midnight on New Years Day.

Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi) - Second Monday in January.
This festival celebrates the coming of age of people who have turned 20 years old in the last 12 months.  Both girls and boys dress formally in kimono, business suits and traditional hakama as part of the festivities.

February

Setsubun - February 3 or 4
A cleansing ritual in which roasted soybeans are tossed out the doors and windows of homes, representing the family’s rejections of the devil and inviting good luck to enter the home.

National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinenbi) - February 11  
National holiday celebrating the founding of the country.

March

Hina Matsuri - March 3.
A festival celebrating the birth of girl children during which families display elaborate sets of dolls.

Spring Equinox (Shunbun) - March 20 or 21
National holiday observing the vernal equinox.

April – May

Golden Week, also known as Ōgata renkyū, is a Japanese term applied to the period containing the following public holidays:
Green Day (Midori no hi): - April 29
Constitution (Kenpo Kinenbi) - May 3
Civic holiday (Kokumin no Shukujitsu) - May 4
Children’s Day (Kodomono hi) - May 5

July

Ocean Day (Umi no Hi) - July 20
Marine Day is a national holiday celebrated on the third Monday in July. Many people take advantage of the holiday and summer weather to take a beach trip.

September

Respect for the Aged Day (Heiro no Hi) - September 15
Autumnal Equinox Day (Shunbun no Hi) - September 23 or 24
This national holiday is similar in significance to Shunbun no hi, the celebration of the vernal equinox

November

Culture Day (Bunka no Hi) - November 3
Bunka no Hi is a national holiday held annually in Japan on November 3 for the purpose of promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavour. Festivities typically include art exhibitions, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.

December

Emperor’s Birthday (Tenno Tanjobi) - December 23