Holidays of Japan

	Email		Print
	Bookmark		Link

Holidays of Japan

The of 1948 (as amended) establishes the legal dates of public holidays in Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
. This article lists those dates.

A provision of the law establishes that when a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day shall become a public holiday, known as . Additionally, any day that falls between two other national holidays shall also become a holiday, known as . May 4, sandwiched between Constitution Memorial Day

Constitution Memorial Day

is a Public holiday in Japan. It takes place on May third in celebration of the promulgation of the 1947 Constitution of Japan. It is a part of the collection of holidays known as Golden Week ....
on May 3 and Children's Day

Children's Day

Children's Day is an event celebrated on various days in many places around the world....
on May 5, was an annual example of such a holiday until it was replaced by Greenery Day

Greenery Day

Discussion

Ask a question about 'Holidays of Japan'

Start a new discussion about 'Holidays of Japan'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

Encyclopedia

Constitution Memorial Day

Children's Day

Children's Day is an event celebrated on various days in many places around the world....
on May 5, was an annual example of such a holiday until it was replaced by Greenery Day

Greenery Day

is a Holidays of Japan. Between 1989 and 2006 it was celebrated on April 29. In 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4.The present observation of Greenery Day as a national holiday in Japan stems from the celebration of Hirohito's birthday on April 29 every year during the Showa era....
in 2007. Under these provisions, May 6 2009 has been designated a furikae kyujitsu holiday, and September 22 2009 has been designated a kokumin no kyujitsu national holiday.

Prior to Japan's adoption of the Gregorian calendar

Gregorian calendar

The Gregorian calendar is the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was first proposed by the Calabrian doctor Aloysius Lilius, and decreed by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom it was named, on 24 February 1582 by the papal bull Inter gravissimas....
in 1873, the dates of holidays were based on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. As a result, New Year's Day, for example, was celebrated at the beginning of spring, as it is in modern China, Korea and Vietnam.

Table of Japanese holidays

Name	Date	Remarks
New Year's Day Japanese New Year The Japanese people celebrate New Year's Day on January 1 each year on the Gregorian Calendar. Before 1873, the date of the was based on the Chinese calendar and celebrated at the beginning of spring, just as the contemporary Chinese New Year, Korean New Year and T?ts are celebrated to this day.... ?? (Shogatsu)	January 1
Coming-of-Age Day Seijin shiki is the Japanese Coming of age ceremony. It is held annually on , the second Monday in January. Festivities include ceremonies held at local and prefecture offices and parties amongst family and friends to celebrate passage into adulthood.... ???? (Seijin no hi)	Second Monday of January	This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day to congratulate and encourage people who have reached the age of majority (20) during the year. Cities and towns throughout the nation hold ceremonies for these people. Originally held on January 15, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of January in accordance with the Happy Monday System. (See below.)
National Foundation Day National Foundation Day is a national holiday in Japan celebrated annually on February 11. On this day, Japanese celebrate the founding of the nation and the :Category:Japanese emperors by its legendary first emperor, Emperor Jimmu, who established his capital in Yamato Province.... ?????? (Kenkoku kinen no hi)	February 11	Emperor Jimmu Emperor Jimmu ; also known as: Kamuyamato Iwarebiko; given name: Wakamikenu no Mikoto or Sano no Mikoto, was the mythical founder of Japan and is the first emperor named in the traditional lists of emperors.... is said to have acceded the throne in 660 BC.
Vernal equinox ???? (Shunbun no hi)	Around March 21
Showa Day Showa Day is a Japan annual holiday held on April 29. It honors the birthday of Emperor of Japan Hirohito , the reigning Emperor before, during, and after World War II .... ???? (Showa no hi)	April 29	This national holiday was established in 2007 as a day to reflect on the events of the Showa period Showa period The , or Showa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of Emperor Showa , from December 25, 1926 to January 7, 1989. In his coronation message which was read to the people and to the army, the newly enthroned emperor referenced this Japanese era name or nengo: "I have visited the battlefields of the Great War in... . As the birthday of the Showa Emperor, April 29 was originally celebrated as a holiday during his lifetime. (See "The Emperor's Birthday" below.) After the death of the emperor in 1989, the date continued to be a holiday under the new name "Greenery Day". (See also below.) In 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 took the name "Showa Day" in honor of the late Emperor. Showa Day marks the start of the Golden Week Golden Week (Japan) , also known as or, is a Japan term applied to the period containing the following public holidays:* April 29, until 1988, from 1989 until 2006... holiday period.
Constitution Memorial Day Constitution Memorial Day is a Public holiday in Japan. It takes place on May third in celebration of the promulgation of the 1947 Constitution of Japan. It is a part of the collection of holidays known as Golden Week .... ????? (Kenpo kinenbi)	May 3	This national holiday was established in 1948, to commemorate the day on which Japan's postwar constitution Constitution of Japan The has been the founding legal document of Japan since 1947. The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights.... took effect. Constitution Memorial Day falls during Golden Week Golden Week (Japan) , also known as or, is a Japan term applied to the period containing the following public holidays:* April 29, until 1988, from 1989 until 2006... .
Greenery Day Greenery Day is a Holidays of Japan. Between 1989 and 2006 it was celebrated on April 29. In 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4.The present observation of Greenery Day as a national holiday in Japan stems from the celebration of Hirohito's birthday on April 29 every year during the Showa era.... ????? (Midori no hi)	May 4	This national holiday is celebrated as a day to commune with nature and be grateful for its blessings. Originally established in 1989 and held annually on April 29 (the late Showa Emperor's birthday), in 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 was renamed "Showa Day" (See above.) Greenery Day falls during Golden Week Golden Week (Japan) , also known as or, is a Japan term applied to the period containing the following public holidays:* April 29, until 1988, from 1989 until 2006... . (NB: From 1986 to 2006, May 4 was a kokumin no kyujitsu holiday.)
Children's Day Kodomo no hi is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is part of the Golden Week . It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.... ????? (Kodomo no hi)	May 5	koi Koi , or more specifically , are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. They are also sometimes called Japanese carp.... streamers and decorate their homes with armor or samurai dolls. Children's Day marks the end of Golden Week Golden Week (Japan) , also known as or, is a Japan term applied to the period containing the following public holidays:* April 29, until 1988, from 1989 until 2006... .
Marine Day Marine Day , also known as 'Ocean Day', is a Holidays of Japan celebrated on the third Monday in July. Many people take advantage of the holiday and summer weather to take a beach trip.... ??? (Umi no hi)	Third Monday of July	This national holiday was established in 1995 (and first held in 1996) as a day of gratitude for the blessings of the oceans and for hoping for the prosperity of the maritime nation that is Japan. Originally held on July 20, in 2003 it was changed to the third Monday of July in accordance with the Happy Monday System. (See below.)
Respect-for-the-Aged Day ???? (Keiro no hi)	Third Monday of September
Autumnal equinox ???? (Shubun no hi)	Around September 23
Health and Sports Day Health and Sports Day , also known as Health-Sports Day or Sports Day, is a Holidays of Japan in Japan held annually on the second Monday in October. It commemorates the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics being held in Tokyo, and exists to promote sports and an active lifestyle.... ???? (Taiiku no hi)	Second Monday of October	This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body. Originally held on October 10th to commemorate the anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics 1964 Summer Olympics The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964.... , in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of October in accordance with the Happy Monday System. (See below.)
Culture Day Culture Day is a Public 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.... ???? (Bunka no hi)	November 3	This national holiday was established in 1948. It commemorates the November 3, 1946 announcement of the Constitution Constitution of Japan The has been the founding legal document of Japan since 1947. The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights.... . It is recognized as a day to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture. (N.B.: Although prior to the establishment of this holiday in 1948, November 3 was also a national holiday called commemorating the birthday of Emperor Meiji Emperor Meiji The or Meiji the Great was the 122nd Emperor of Japan of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, reigning from 3 February 1867 until his death.... , the two holidays are ostensibly unrelated.)
Labor Thanksgiving Day ?????? (Kinro kansha no hi)	November 23
The Emperor's Birthday The Emperor's Birthday is a national holiday in the Japanese calendar. It is currently celebrated on December 23. The date is determined by the present Emperor of Japan's birthdate.... ????? (Tenno tanjobi)	December 23	Emperor Akihito Akihito is the current of Japan, and the 125th Emperor according to Japan's list of Emperors of Japan. He acceded to the throne in 1989, and is the List of longest reigning current monarchs monarch or lifelong leader.... was born on this day in 1933. (N.B.: Prior to the death of Emperor Hirohito in 1989, this holiday was celebrated on April 29. See "Showa Day" above.)

Events of imperial mourning and celebration

In addition to the annual holidays listed above, certain events of celebration or mourning related to the imperial family are also treated as national holidays in the year in which they occur.

There have been four instances of such holidays since the introduction of the Public Holiday Law.

April 10, 1959: Marriage of Crown Prince Akihito
February 24, 1989: State Funeral of the Showa Emperor
November 12, 1990: Official Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Akihito
June 9, 1993: Marriage of Crown Prince Naruhito

Recent changes

Beginning in 2000, Japan implemented the Happy Monday System

Happy Monday System

The was a decision by the government of Japan to move a number of Public holiday to Mondays, creating a three-day weekend for those who normally have a five-day work week....
(??????????) which moved a number of national holidays to Monday in order to obtain a "long weekend":

Coming-of-Age Day: January 15 ? 2nd Monday of January, starting in 2000.
Marine Day: July 20 ? 3rd Monday of July, starting in 2003.
Respect for the Aged Day: September 15 ? 3rd Monday of September, starting in 2003.
Health and Sports Day: October 10 ? 2nd Monday of October, starting in 2000.

In 2005, the country decided to add Showa Day

Showa Day

is a Japan annual holiday held on April 29. It honors the birthday of Emperor of Japan Hirohito , the reigning Emperor before, during, and after World War II ....
, a new national holiday, in place of Greenery Day

Greenery Day

is a Holidays of Japan. Between 1989 and 2006 it was celebrated on April 29. In 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4.The present observation of Greenery Day as a national holiday in Japan stems from the celebration of Hirohito's birthday on April 29 every year during the Showa era....
on April 29, and to move Greenery Day to May 4. These changes took effect in 2007.

Holidays of Japan

Table of Japanese holidays

Events of imperial mourning and celebration

Recent changes

See also

Footnotes

External links