Japan Public Holidays 2026
Japan has 17 national holidays in 2026, one more than usual because Silver Week returns: a citizens’ holiday on Sep 22 bridges two holidays to create a 5-day September break. Golden Week and the May 6 substitute holiday round out the spring.
National holidays
17
Silver Week
Sep 19–23 · 5 days
Golden Week
May 2–6 · 5 days
Substitute / bridge days
2
2026 Japan calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Japan public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| January 12, 2026 | Monday | Coming of Age DaySecond Monday of January.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| February 11, 2026 | Wednesday | National Foundation DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| February 23, 2026 | Monday | The Emperor's BirthdayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Vernal Equinox DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 29, 2026 | Wednesday | Shōwa DayStart of the Golden Week period.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 3, 2026 | Sunday | Constitution Memorial DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 4, 2026 | Monday | Greenery DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | Children's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | Substitute HolidayFor Constitution Memorial Day, which falls on Sunday May 3.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
| July 20, 2026 | Monday | Marine DayThird Monday of July.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| August 11, 2026 | Tuesday | Mountain DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| September 21, 2026 | Monday | Respect for the Aged DayThird Monday of September.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| September 22, 2026 | Tuesday | Citizens' Holiday (Silver Week bridge)A working day sandwiched between two holidays becomes a holiday — this creates Silver Week.Bridge holiday | Bridge holiday |
| September 23, 2026 | Wednesday | Autumnal Equinox DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| October 12, 2026 | Monday | Sports DaySecond Monday of October.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 3, 2026 | Tuesday | Culture DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| November 23, 2026 | Monday | Labor Thanksgiving DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
Japan long weekends in 2026
Coming of Age Day
3 daysJan 10 – 12
Emperor's Birthday
3 daysFeb 21 – 23
Vernal Equinox Day
3 daysMar 20 – 22
Golden Week
5 daysMay 2 – 6
Sat–Wed: Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children’s Day and the May 6 substitute holiday. Shōwa Day (Apr 29) sits just before.
Marine Day
3 daysJul 18 – 20
Silver Week
5 daysSep 19 – 23
Sat–Wed: Respect for the Aged Day, the Sep 22 citizens’ holiday and the Autumnal Equinox line up for a rare 5-day break.
Sports Day
3 daysOct 10 – 12
Labor Thanksgiving Day
3 daysNov 21 – 23
Silver Week returns in 2026
When an ordinary working day falls between two national holidays, Japanese law turns it into a holiday too. In 2026 this happens on Sep 22, bridging Respect for the Aged Day (Sep 21) and the Autumnal Equinox (Sep 23). Combined with the weekend, that produces a 5-day Silver Week — only the third ever, after 2009 and 2015.
Golden Week and the May 6 substitute holiday
Golden Week opens with Shōwa Day on Apr 29, then Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day fall on May 3–5. Because Constitution Memorial Day lands on a Sunday, the substitute holiday moves to Wednesday May 6 — Monday and Tuesday are already holidays — extending the break to five straight days from May 2.
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Official sources & data
- 国民の祝日について (2026 National Holidays)Visit sourceCabinet Office, Government of Japan
- Japan's National Holidays in 2026Visit sourceNippon.com
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Japan have in 2026?+
Japan has 17 national holidays in 2026 — one more than the usual 16, thanks to the Silver Week bridge holiday on Sep 22.
What is Silver Week 2026 in Japan?+
Silver Week is a string of September holidays. In 2026 it runs Sep 19–23 (5 days) because Sep 22 becomes a citizens’ holiday between two national holidays.
Why is September 22, 2026 a holiday in Japan?+
Sep 22 falls between Respect for the Aged Day (Sep 21) and the Autumnal Equinox (Sep 23). Japanese law turns a working day sandwiched between two national holidays into a citizens' holiday (国民の休日), creating the 5-day Silver Week of Sep 19–23 — the first since 2015.
Why is May 6 a holiday in Japan in 2026?+
Constitution Memorial Day (May 3) falls on a Sunday, so a substitute holiday is granted. As May 4 and 5 are already holidays, it moves to Wednesday May 6.
When is Golden Week 2026 in Japan?+
Golden Week 2026 runs May 2–6 (Sat–Wed): Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children’s Day and the May 6 substitute holiday. Shōwa Day (Apr 29) is a separate day off just before.
Is Coming of Age Day a public holiday in 2026?+
Yes. Coming of Age Day is a national holiday on the second Monday of January, which is Jan 12 in 2026, creating a three-day weekend from Jan 10–12.
