Japan Long Weekends 2026
Japan has 17 national holidays in 2026, and eight of the resulting breaks run three days or longer (renkyū). The headline ones are an eight-day Golden Week stretch from late April and the rare five-day Silver Week in September, plus six three-day weekends around Coming of Age Day, the Emperor’s Birthday, the Vernal Equinox, Marine Day, Sports Day and Labor Thanksgiving Day.
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
Interactive Leave & Bridge Days Planner
Select your country, year, and annual leave budget to calculate the highest-ROI vacation strategies. Bridge mid-week holidays into continuous mega-breaks.
41 Bridge Strategies Found
Constitution Memorial Day
May 2 – 10•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on May 7 – 8 to connect Constitution Memorial Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 19 – 27•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Sep 24 – 25 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 29 – May 6•Total Vacation: 8 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Apr 30 – May 1 to connect Shōwa Day into a 8-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Jan 1 – 4•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Jan 2 to bridge New Year's Day with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Mountain Day
Aug 8 – 11•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Aug 10 to bridge Mountain Day with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Culture Day
Oct 31 – Nov 3•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Nov 2 to bridge Culture Day with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Shōwa Day
Apr 25 – May 6•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Apr 27 – 28, Apr 30 – May 1 to connect Shōwa Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 29 – May 10•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Apr 30 – May 1, May 7 – 8 to connect Shōwa Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 25 – May 10•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Apr 27 – 28, Apr 30 – May 1, May 7 – 8 to connect Shōwa Day into a 16-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 7 – 11•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Feb 9 – 10 to connect National Foundation Day into a 5-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 11 – 15•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Feb 12 – 13 to connect National Foundation Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 25 – 29•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Apr 27 – 28 to connect Shōwa Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 12 – 23•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Sep 14 – 18 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Constitution Memorial Day
May 2 – 17•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on May 7 – 8, May 11 – 15 to connect Constitution Memorial Day into a 16-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 12 – 27•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Sep 14 – 18, Sep 24 – 25 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 16-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 19 – Oct 4•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Sep 24 – 25, Sep 28 – Oct 2 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 16-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Dec 27, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Dec 29 – 31, Jan 2 to connect New Year's Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Coming of Age Day
Jan 10 – 18•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jan 13 – 16 to connect Coming of Age Day into a 9-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 7 – 15•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Feb 9 – 10, Feb 12 – 13 to connect National Foundation Day into a 9-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 21 – Mar 1•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Feb 24 – 27 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 9-day continuous break.
Vernal Equinox Day
Mar 14 – 22•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Mar 16 – 19 to connect Vernal Equinox Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Marine Day
Jul 18 – 26•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jul 21 – 24 to connect Marine Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 8 – 16•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Aug 10, Aug 12 – 14 to connect Mountain Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Sports Day
Oct 10 – 18•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Oct 13 – 16 to connect Sports Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Oct 31 – Nov 8•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Nov 2, Nov 4 – 6 to connect Culture Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 21 – 29•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Nov 24 – 27 to connect Labor Thanksgiving Day into a 9-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Jan 1 – 12•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Jan 2, Jan 5 – 9 to connect New Year's Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Coming of Age Day
Jan 3 – 12•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Jan 5 – 9 to connect Coming of Age Day into a 10-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 14 – 23•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Feb 16 – 20 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 10-day continuous break.
Vernal Equinox Day
Mar 20 – 29•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Mar 23 – 27 to connect Vernal Equinox Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Marine Day
Jul 11 – 20•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Jul 13 – 17 to connect Marine Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Sports Day
Oct 3 – 12•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Oct 5 – 9 to connect Sports Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 14 – 23•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Nov 16 – 20 to connect Labor Thanksgiving Day into a 10-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Dec 27, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Dec 29 – 31 to connect New Year's Day into a 6-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 11 – 16•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Aug 12 – 14 to connect Mountain Day into a 6-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Nov 3 – 8•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Nov 4 – 6 to connect Culture Day into a 6-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 11 – 23•Total Vacation: 13 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Feb 12 – 13, Feb 16 – 20 to connect National Foundation Day into a 13-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 1 – 11•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Aug 3 – 7, Aug 10 to connect Mountain Day into a 11-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Oct 24 – Nov 3•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Oct 26 – 30, Nov 2 to connect Culture Day into a 11-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Jan 31 – Feb 11•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Feb 2 – 6, Feb 9 – 10 to connect National Foundation Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 18 – 29•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Apr 20 – 24, Apr 27 – 28 to connect Shōwa Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Compliance Notice: Leave planning recommendations are calculated for vacation optimization. Taking annual leave is subject to your employment contract, employer approval, and local labor legislation.
Golden Week and Silver Week in 2026
Golden Week is the busiest travel period: Shōwa Day (Apr 29) starts it, then Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day (May 3–5) plus the May 6 substitute holiday give a Sat–Wed core. Taking the gap days (Apr 30 and May 1) as leave links it into one eight-day break.
Silver Week returns in 2026: Respect for the Aged Day (Sep 21), a citizens’ holiday on Sep 22 and the Autumnal Equinox (Sep 23) line up with the weekend for a rare five-day break (Sep 19–23). See our Japan Silver Week 2026 page for the full breakdown.
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 long weekends does Japan have in 2026?
Eight: Coming of Age Day (Jan 10–12), the Emperor’s Birthday (Feb 21–23), the Vernal Equinox (Mar 20–22), Golden Week (a Sat–Wed core, May 2–6), Marine Day (Jul 18–20), Silver Week (Sep 19–23), Sports Day (Oct 10–12) and Labor Thanksgiving Day (Nov 21–23).
When is Golden Week 2026 in Japan?
Shōwa Day is Apr 29, then a Sat–Wed run of May 2–6 covers Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children’s Day and the May 6 substitute holiday. With Apr 30 and May 1 as leave it becomes an eight-day break (Apr 29–May 6).
Why is Silver Week 2026 five days long?
Respect for the Aged Day (Sep 21) and the Autumnal Equinox (Sep 23) sit one day apart, so Sep 22 becomes a “citizens’ holiday”. Combined with the weekend, that makes a rare five-day break of Sep 19–23.
Which 2026 long weekend needs the fewest leave days?
The six three-day weekends (Coming of Age Day, the Emperor’s Birthday, the Vernal Equinox, Marine Day, Sports Day, Labor Thanksgiving Day) need no leave at all. Golden Week needs two leave days for eight days off, and Silver Week needs none for its five-day run.
Where can I download the Japan 2026 holiday calendar?
Our Japan 2026 public holidays page and the holiday calendar downloads hub offer ICS and CSV files you can import into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook.