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.
At a glance
Japan has 17 official public holidays (17 days off) in 2026 and 8 long weekends; the longest break is Golden Week (May 2 – 6, 5 days).
| Public holidays | 17 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | 17 |
| Longest break | Golden Week · 5 days (May 2 – 6) |
| Long weekends | 8 |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Coming of Age Day (January 12, 2026), National Foundation Day (February 11, 2026), The Emperor's Birthday (February 23, 2026), Vernal Equinox Day (March 20, 2026), Shōwa Day (April 29, 2026), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3, 2026), Greenery Day (May 4, 2026), Children's Day (May 5, 2026), Substitute Holiday (May 6, 2026), Marine Day (July 20, 2026), Mountain Day (August 11, 2026), Respect for the Aged Day (September 21, 2026), Citizens' Holiday (Silver Week bridge) (September 22, 2026), Autumnal Equinox Day (September 23, 2026), Sports Day (October 12, 2026), Culture Day (November 3, 2026), Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23, 2026)
National holidays
17
Silver Week
Sep 19–23 · 5 days
Golden Week
May 2–6 · 5 days
Substitute / bridge days
2
Japan public holiday list
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Showing 18 of 18 entries.
| 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 |
2026 Japan calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
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.
The National Holidays Act: substitution and bridge days
Japan's calendar is governed by the National Holidays Act (Act No. 178 of 1948, as amended in 2007). Article 3 grants a substitute holiday (振替休日) when a national holiday falls on a Sunday — moved to the next day that is not already a holiday, which is why Constitution Memorial Day (May 3, a Sunday) shifts to Wednesday May 6 in 2026. Article 4 creates a citizens' holiday (国民の休日) when a weekday falls between two national holidays, producing Sep 22 in Silver Week.
Employers must generally give the day off; if work is required on a holiday, premium pay applies under the Labour Standards Act and collective agreements. During Golden Week and Silver Week, shinkansen and domestic flights sell out weeks ahead — book early. Most shops and restaurants stay open except around New Year (Dec 29–Jan 3), when many close.
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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 the longest holiday break in Japan in 2026?
The longest break in Japan is Golden Week (May 2 – 6, 5 days).
What are the official public holidays in Japan in 2026?
Japan has 17 official public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Coming of Age Day (January 12, 2026), National Foundation Day (February 11, 2026), The Emperor's Birthday (February 23, 2026), Vernal Equinox Day (March 20, 2026), Shōwa Day (April 29, 2026), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3, 2026), Greenery Day (May 4, 2026), Children's Day (May 5, 2026), Substitute Holiday (May 6, 2026), Marine Day (July 20, 2026), Mountain Day (August 11, 2026), Respect for the Aged Day (September 21, 2026), Citizens' Holiday (Silver Week bridge) (September 22, 2026), Autumnal Equinox Day (September 23, 2026), Sports Day (October 12, 2026), Culture Day (November 3, 2026), Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23, 2026).
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.
