Japan Long Weekends 2028
Japan produces 10 long weekends in 2028 — every break of three days or more that its public holidays actually create. The longest runs 5 days (May 3–7). All of these breaks come straight from the published holiday calendar.
Japan long weekends in 2028
Coming of Age Day
3 daysJan 8 – 10
National Foundation Day
3 daysFeb 11 – 13
Fri–Sun: National Foundation Day falls on a Friday.
Vernal Equinox Day
3 daysMar 18 – 20
Golden Week
5 daysMay 3 – 7
Wed–Sun: Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day (May 3–5) run into the weekend. Take May 1–2 off and the break stretches from Apr 29 to May 7 — nine days.
Marine Day
3 daysJul 15 – 17
Mountain Day
3 daysAug 11 – 13
Fri–Sun: Mountain Day falls on a Friday, right before the Obon travel peak.
Respect for the Aged Day
3 daysSep 16 – 18
Sat–Mon. Take Sep 19–21 off and this joins the Autumnal Equinox weekend for a nine-day break (Sep 16–24).
Autumnal Equinox Day
3 daysSep 22 – 24
Fri–Sun: the Autumnal Equinox falls on a Friday.
Sports Day
3 daysOct 7 – 9
Culture Day
3 daysNov 3 – 5
Fri–Sun: Culture Day falls on a Friday.
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.
32 Bridge Strategies Found
Shōwa Day
Apr 29 – May 7•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on May 1 – 2 to connect Shōwa Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 23 – 26•Total Vacation: 4 days
Take 1 day of annual leave on Nov 24 to bridge Labor Thanksgiving Day with the weekend for a 4-day vacation.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 16 – 24•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Sep 19 – 21 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 9-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 19 – 23•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Feb 21 – 22 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 5-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 23 – 27•Total Vacation: 5 days
Take 2 days of annual leave on Feb 24 – 25 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 5-day continuous break.
Constitution Memorial Day
May 3 – 14•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on May 8 – 12 to connect Constitution Memorial Day into a 12-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 22 – May 7•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Apr 24 – 28, May 1 – 2 to connect Shōwa Day into a 16-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 29 – May 14•Total Vacation: 16 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on May 1 – 2, May 8 – 12 to connect Shōwa Day into a 16-day continuous break.
Coming of Age Day
Jan 8 – 16•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jan 11 – 14 to connect Coming of Age Day into a 9-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 5 – 13•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Feb 7 – 10 to connect National Foundation Day into a 9-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 19 – 27•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Feb 21 – 22, Feb 24 – 25 to connect The Emperor's Birthday into a 9-day continuous break.
Vernal Equinox Day
Mar 18 – 26•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Mar 21 – 24 to connect Vernal Equinox Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Marine Day
Jul 15 – 23•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Jul 18 – 21 to connect Marine Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 5 – 13•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Aug 7 – 10 to connect Mountain Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Sports Day
Oct 7 – 15•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Oct 10 – 13 to connect Sports Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Oct 28 – Nov 5•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Oct 30 – Nov 2 to connect Culture Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 18 – 26•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 4 days of annual leave on Nov 20 – 22, Nov 24 to connect Labor Thanksgiving Day into a 9-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Jan 1 – 10•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Jan 3 – 7 to connect New Year's Day into a 10-day continuous break.
National Foundation Day
Feb 11 – 20•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Feb 14 – 18 to connect National Foundation Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Vernal Equinox Day
Mar 11 – 20•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Mar 13 – 17 to connect Vernal Equinox Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Marine Day
Jul 8 – 17•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Jul 10 – 14 to connect Marine Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Mountain Day
Aug 11 – 20•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Aug 14 – 18 to connect Mountain Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Respect for the Aged Day
Sep 9 – 18•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Sep 11 – 15 to connect Respect for the Aged Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Autumnal Equinox Day
Sep 22 – Oct 1•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Sep 25 – 29 to connect Autumnal Equinox Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Sports Day
Sep 30 – Oct 9•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Oct 2 – 6 to connect Sports Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Culture Day
Nov 3 – 12•Total Vacation: 10 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Nov 6 – 10 to connect Culture Day into a 10-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 18 – 23•Total Vacation: 6 days
Take 3 days of annual leave on Nov 20 – 22 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 14 – 18, Feb 21 – 22 to connect National Foundation Day into a 13-day continuous break.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Nov 23 – Dec 3•Total Vacation: 11 days
Take 6 days of annual leave on Nov 24, Nov 27 – Dec 1 to connect Labor Thanksgiving Day into a 11-day continuous break.
New Year's Day
Dec 25, 2027 – Jan 2, 2028•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Dec 27 – 31 to connect New Year's Day into a 9-day continuous break.
Shōwa Day
Apr 22 – 30•Total Vacation: 9 days
Take 5 days of annual leave on Apr 24 – 28 to connect Shōwa Day into a 9-day continuous break.
The Emperor's Birthday
Feb 23 – Mar 5•Total Vacation: 12 days
Take 7 days of annual leave on Feb 24 – 25, Feb 28 – Mar 3 to connect The Emperor's Birthday 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.
The 10 long weekends of 2028
Coming of Age Day — Jan 8–10 (3 days); National Foundation Day — Feb 11–13 (3 days); Vernal Equinox Day — Mar 18–20 (3 days); Golden Week — May 3–7 (5 days); Marine Day — Jul 15–17 (3 days); Mountain Day — Aug 11–13 (3 days); Respect for the Aged Day — Sep 16–18 (3 days); Autumnal Equinox Day — Sep 22–24 (3 days); Sports Day — Oct 7–9 (3 days); Culture Day — Nov 3–5 (3 days)
Full list: Coming of Age Day (Jan 8–10) National Foundation Day (Feb 11–13) Vernal Equinox Day (Mar 18–20) Golden Week (May 3–7) Marine Day (Jul 15–17) Mountain Day (Aug 11–13) Respect for the Aged Day (Sep 16–18) Autumnal Equinox Day (Sep 22–24) Sports Day (Oct 7–9) Culture Day (Nov 3–5) — 10 consecutive-day breaks in total.
How Japan builds its long weekends
Long weekends come from public holidays landing next to weekends (or substitute days extending them). The table above lists only real calendar breaks — a 10-day count means 10 separate runs of consecutive days off.
How to plan around them
The 10 breaks above are the ones the calendar gives you for free. The longest (Golden Week, 5 days, May 3–7) is the best anchor for a longer trip; the others work well for short getaways. Check the linked year page for make-up workdays that may surround the longer breaks.
Official sources & data
- 国民の祝日について (National Holidays)Visit sourceCabinet Office, Government of Japan
- 何年後かの春分の日・秋分の日はわかるの？ (Future equinox dates)Visit sourceNational Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
- 暦要項 (Rekiyōkō almanac)Visit sourceNational Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
Frequently asked questions
How many long weekends does Japan have in 2028?
10 — every break of three consecutive days or more that Japan's public holidays create in 2028. The longest is Golden Week with 5 days off.
What is the longest long weekend in Japan in 2028?
Golden Week — 5 days (May 3–7).
Which public holidays create long weekends in Japan 2028?
Coming of Age Day, National Foundation Day, Vernal Equinox Day, Golden Week, Marine Day, Mountain Day, Respect for the Aged Day, Autumnal Equinox Day, Sports Day, Culture Day. Each is listed above with its exact dates.
Does Japan have substitute days for weekend holidays?
Yes — Japan has a substitute-holiday rule (振替休日): a national holiday falling on a Sunday moves to the next non-holiday weekday. It never triggers in 2028 because no holiday lands on a Sunday; holidays falling on a Saturday (two in 2028) are not compensated.
Are the 2028 long weekend dates confirmed?
Yes — Japan's 2028 holidays are confirmed, and the long weekends above derive directly from them.