Japan Long Weekends 2027
Japan’s 16 national holidays give 2027 seven long weekends: a clean 5-day Golden Week from May 1–5 and six 3-day weekends — New Year, Coming of Age Day, the Vernal Equinox (with the year’s only substitute holiday on Mar 22), Marine Day, Respect for the Aged Day and Sports Day. Unlike 2026, there is no Silver Week: the September holidays don’t line up to trigger a bridge day.
Japan long weekends in 2027
New Year
3 daysJan 1 – 3
Fri–Sun: New Year’s Day falls on a Friday.
Coming of Age Day
3 daysJan 9 – 11
Vernal Equinox Day
3 daysMar 20 – 22
Sat–Mon: the Vernal Equinox falls on Sunday Mar 21, so Mar 22 becomes a substitute holiday.
Golden Week
5 daysMay 1 – 5
Sat–Wed: a weekend (May 1–2) flows straight into Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day (May 3–5) for a full 5-day break. Shōwa Day (Apr 29) is a Thursday just before.
Marine Day
3 daysJul 17 – 19
Respect for the Aged Day
3 daysSep 18 – 20
Sports Day
3 daysOct 9 – 11
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.
45 Bridge Strategies Found
Shōwa Day
Apr 29 – May 5•Total Vacation: 7 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Apr 30 to bridge Shōwa Day with the weekend for a 7-day vacation.
Constitution Memorial Day
May 1 – 9•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on May 6 – 7 to connect Constitution Memorial Day into a 9-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 11 – 14•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Feb 12 to bridge National Foundation Day with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 20 – 23•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Feb 22 to bridge The Emperor's Birthday with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Autumnal Equinox Day
Sep 23 – 26•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Sep 24 to bridge Autumnal Equinox Day with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 20 – 23•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Nov 22 to bridge Labor Thanksgiving Day with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Shōwa Day
Apr 29 – May 9•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Apr 30, May 6 – 7 to connect Shōwa Day into a 11-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 24 – May 5•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Apr 26 – 28, Apr 30 to connect Shōwa Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 18 – 26•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Sep 21 – 22, Sep 24 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 18 – 23•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Sep 21 – 22 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 6-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 24 – May 9•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Apr 26 – 28, Apr 30, May 6 – 7 to connect Shōwa Day into a 16-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 7 – 11•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Aug 9 – 10 to connect Mountain Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 11 – 15•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Aug 12 – 13 to connect Mountain Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Oct 30 – Nov 3•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Nov 1 – 2 to connect Culture Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Nov 3 – 7•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Nov 4 – 5 to connect Culture Day into a 5-day continuous break.
Constitution Memorial Day
May 1 – 16•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on May 6 – 7, May 10 – 14 to connect Constitution Memorial Day into a 16-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Dec 28 – 31 to connect New Year's Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Coming of Age Day
Jan 9 – 17•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jan 12 – 15 to connect Coming of Age Day into a 9-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 6 – 14•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Feb 8 – 10, Feb 12 to connect National Foundation Day into a 9-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 20 – 28•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Feb 22, Feb 24 – 26 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 9-day continuous break.
Vernal Equinox Day
Mar 20 – 28•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Mar 23 – 26 to connect Vernal Equinox Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Marine Day
Jul 17 – 25•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jul 20 – 23 to connect Marine Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 7 – 15•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Aug 9 – 10, Aug 12 – 13 to connect Mountain Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Sports Day
Oct 9 – 17•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Oct 12 – 15 to connect Sports Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Oct 30 – Nov 7•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Nov 1 – 2, Nov 4 – 5 to connect Culture Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 20 – 28•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Nov 22, Nov 24 – 26 to connect Labor Thanksgiving Day into a 9-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Jan 1 – 11•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Jan 4 – 8 to connect New Year's Day into a 11-day continuous break.
Vernal Equinox Day
Mar 13 – 22•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Mar 15 – 19 to connect Vernal Equinox Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Marine Day
Jul 10 – 19•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Jul 12 – 16 to connect Marine Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 11 – 20•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Sep 13 – 17 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Sports Day
Oct 2 – 11•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Oct 4 – 8 to connect Sports Day into a 10-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 6 – 11•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Feb 8 – 10 to connect National Foundation Day into a 6-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 23 – 28•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Feb 24 – 26 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 6-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 24 – 29•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Apr 26 – 28 to connect Shōwa Day into a 6-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 23 – 28•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Nov 24 – 26 to connect Labor Thanksgiving 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, Feb 15 – 19, Feb 22 to connect National Foundation Day into a 13-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 11 – 23•Total Vacation: 13 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Sep 13 – 17, Sep 21 – 22 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 13-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 11 – 21•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Feb 12, Feb 15 – 19 to connect National Foundation Day into a 11-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 13 – 23•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Feb 15 – 19, Feb 22 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 11-day continuous break.
Autumnal Equinox Day
Sep 23 – Oct 3•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Sep 24, Sep 27 – Oct 1 to connect Autumnal Equinox Day into a 11-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 13 – 23•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Nov 15 – 19, Nov 22 to connect Labor Thanksgiving Day into a 11-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Jul 31 – Aug 11•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Aug 2 – 6, Aug 9 – 10 to connect Mountain Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 11 – 22•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Aug 12 – 13, Aug 16 – 20 to connect Mountain Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Oct 23 – Nov 3•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Oct 25 – 29, Nov 1 – 2 to connect Culture Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Nov 3 – 14•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Nov 4 – 5, Nov 8 – 12 to connect Culture 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 2027: one leave day buys a 7-day run
Golden Week 2027 lines up as a natural Sat–Wed block: the May 1–2 weekend flows into Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day on May 3–5. Shōwa Day (Apr 29) is the Thursday just before — so taking a single leave day on Friday Apr 30 stretches the break to seven days (Apr 29 – May 5). That is the best leave-to-days ratio of the year.
Elsewhere, the Happy Monday holidays (Coming of Age Day, Marine Day, Respect for the Aged Day, Sports Day) each deliver a guaranteed Sat–Mon weekend, and the Vernal Equinox on Sunday Mar 21 triggers the year’s only substitute holiday on Monday Mar 22. Holidays that fall midweek in 2027 — Mountain Day (Wed Aug 11), the Autumnal Equinox (Thu Sep 23), Culture Day (Wed Nov 3) and Labor Thanksgiving Day (Tue Nov 23) — need leave days to become breaks.
Official sources & data
- 国民の祝日について (National Holidays)Visit sourceCabinet Office, Government of Japan
Frequently asked questions
How many long weekends does Japan have in 2027?
Seven: New Year (Jan 1–3), Coming of Age Day (Jan 9–11), the Vernal Equinox (Mar 20–22), Golden Week (May 1–5, 5 days), Marine Day (Jul 17–19), Respect for the Aged Day (Sep 18–20) and Sports Day (Oct 9–11).
When is Golden Week 2027 in Japan?
May 1–5, 2027 (Saturday to Wednesday): the weekend flows into Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day. Shōwa Day is Thursday April 29, so one leave day on Friday April 30 makes it a 7-day break (Apr 29 – May 5).
Is there a Silver Week in Japan in 2027?
No. Respect for the Aged Day (Mon Sep 20) and the Autumnal Equinox (Thu Sep 23) are too far apart to sandwich a citizens’ holiday, so September 2027 offers only the Sep 18–20 three-day weekend. The next Silver Week alignment was 2026.
How many substitute holidays does Japan have in 2027?
One: Monday March 22, because the Vernal Equinox falls on Sunday March 21. It turns March 20–22 into the year’s only substitute-driven 3-day weekend.
Which 2027 holidays need leave days to become long weekends?
The midweek ones: Mountain Day (Wed Aug 11), the Autumnal Equinox (Thu Sep 23), Culture Day (Wed Nov 3), Labor Thanksgiving Day (Tue Nov 23) and the Emperor’s Birthday (Tue Feb 23). Each needs one or two leave days to bridge into a weekend.
Where can I download the Japan 2027 holiday calendar?
Our Japan 2027 public holidays page and the holiday calendar downloads hub offer ICS and CSV files based on the Cabinet Office list under the Public Holiday Law, including the Mar 22 substitute holiday.