Japan has 16 national holidays each year. The peak period for holidays in Japan is late April to early May, known as "Golden Week", the busiest travel time in Japan.

In Japan, public holidays are always busy travel times as most Japanese will take their short vacation traveling around the country. If you travel during these public holidays, you will see attractions or parks/temples more crowded with local travelers.

The country also hosts numerous vibrant festivals, such as Obon, Gion Matsuri, and Tanabata. These are very good opportunities for travelers to enjoy local celebrations and learn about the local culture.

During these holidays, most museums, temples, and other tourist areas remain open, as well as shops and restaurants.

Japan Public Holidays/Festivals in 2025

Please note that if a holiday date falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. For example, National Foundation Day takes place on Sunday, February 11th in 2024 so Monday, February 12th is the observed holiday.

Japan Public Holidays and Festivals in 2024

The 9 Major Holidays/Festivals in Japan

Below is a list of eight of the most popular holidays and festivals in Japan. We explain where to enjoy these celebrations and give travel tips to help you with your trip planning.

1. New Year's Day / Ganjitsu

• Date: January 1
• Celebrating regions: all over Japan

The first day of the New Year is a public holiday in Japan. But celebrations start from New Year's Eve and continue to the third day of the new year.

Japanese celebrate the New Year by visiting a shrine or temple. Usually, on the first day of the year, Japanese families get up early to head to shrines to seek blessings. At the temple, they pray and draw omikuji (fortune slips) for the upcoming year. If the omikuji is poor, they tie it up at the temple, letting the sacred incense work its magic to banish bad luck and usher in good fortune.

If you want to experience the atmosphere, go to Meiji Shrine (1-1 Yoyogi Kamizono-cho, Shibuya) in Tokyo, or Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. Here from January 1st to 3rd, you would find the temple filled with locals who are there to pray. But beware of the crowds as you may need to queue for more than an hour to reach the praying hall.

2. Beginning of Spring / Setsubun

• Date: around February 3
• Location: temples and shrines across Japan

The date of the beginning of spring varies each year but it occurs around February 3rd. The festival is all about driving away evil spirits and welcoming good fortune in the coming year.

At temples and shrines in cities and towns across Japan, you would witness exciting rituals involving throwing roasted beans and energetic dances to attract positive energy.

In Tokyo, head to Senso-ji for the large-scale Setsubun ceremony. You would see celebrities fling soybeans into the crowd. Then, there would be a colorful Dance of the Seven Lucky Gods. The dance features performers dressed in fancy costumes representing lucky gods, such as symbols of wealth and prosperity, all set to traditional tunes. Other temples in Tokyo where you can see the rituals include Zojoji Temple, Kanda Shrine, Hie Shrine, etc.

In Kyoto, the best place to watch the celebrations is in Heian Jingū.

And don't forget to boost your luck with Eho-maki sushi rolls — a popular tradition believed to bring good fortune. These rolls are widely available at markets and food stalls.

3. Cherry Blossom Festivals

• Date: Springtime
• Places: Various cherry blossom spots across the country

Japan's cherry blossom festivals happen during spring, also known as the Cherry Blossom season. In cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, the festivities typically occur from late March to early April. These festivals are held in places like parks, gardens, and riversides where cherry trees bloom.

During the festival, you can enjoy a variety of activities celebrating the beauty of cherry blossoms. Examples include lanterns hanging from the cherry trees, evening light displays, food stalls, and even performances. People gather under the cherry blossoms for Hanami. It is a traditional practice where they have picnics, and enjoy food and drinks, all while admiring the cherry blossoms.

Cherry Blossom festivals are hosted all across the country. In Tokyo's Ueno Park, you'll come across the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival. Additionally, there are festivals like the Mt. Fuji Cherry Blossom Festival and the Mount Yoshino Cherry Blossom Festival.

4. The Japanese Golden Week

• Date: between late April and early May
• Celebrating regions: across the country

The Japanese Golden Week typically runs from April 29th to May 5th when several holidays cluster.

This is one of the busiest times to explore Japan because many Japanese travel during this vacation. Attractions fill with huge crowds and transportation becomes crowded, including the Shinkansen network. Traffic jams are common on highways.

However, this is still one of the best times to visit Japan due to the great weather, cherry blossom scenery, and many cultural festivals.

The cherry blossoms in the north of the country, such as in Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture, are in full bloom, though those further south will have fallen.

In Kyoto, you shouldn't miss the renowned horse racing festival held yearly at Kamigamo Shrine. Skilled archers on horseback showcase their accuracy by shooting arrows at designated targets while riding at high speeds.

Shops, restaurants, museums, etc. open during the Golden Week holiday, even though most Japanese people enjoy this time off.

5. Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)

• Date: July
• Place: Kyoto

Gion Matsuri is one of the liveliest celebrations in Kyoto. The festival is held in July with the highlights centered on the following 5 days: July 14th–17th and July 24th.

During the festival, you could enjoy magnificent float parades and geisha processions winding through the streets. The floats are exquisitely decorated with textiles, dyed fabrics, and sculptures. They are so captivating that they are often referred to as "moving art galleries". In 2025, the float parades take place on July 17th and 24th, respectively.

Moreover, local residents would proudly exhibit their family treasures outside their homes for all to admire. Witness the display of valuable ancient folding screens, elegant kimonos, and other cultural treasures. It's a delightful glimpse into Kyoto's rich heritage.

6. Tanabata

• Date: July 7
• Places: Sendai, Tokyo, Kanto, etc.

Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that traces back to a mesmerizing Chinese legend about two star-crossed lovers — Vega and Altair. They reunite just once a year on this special day.

During the festival, people write their wishes on strips of paper called tanzaku. They hang these wishes on bamboo branches along with vibrant decorations adorning houses and streets.

For an unforgettable spectacle, head to Tokyo's Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri. Feast your eyes on a kaleidoscope of colorful paper strips and whimsical sculptures dangling above the streets.

The atmosphere becomes livelier at night when the street is bustling. If you prefer a quieter experience to wander around and soak up the ambiance, go there during the daytime.

7. Obon

• Date: July or August
• Places: across Japan

Obon is a vibrant celebration held across Japan in places like Tokyo and Kyoto. While not a public holiday, it offers colorful festivities for all to enjoy.

During the festival, a stage is usually set up in the center of the venue. The stage and its surrounding area are decorated with layers of lanterns. On the stage, lead dancers and musicians lead the pace and choreography while participants gather around it and dance along in circles. It's a lively and engaging activity to be a part of.

For an unforgettable experience, you could go to the Marunouchi Summer Festival at Gyoko Street opposite Tokyo Station or the Ebisu Bon Odori Festival in front of Ebisu Station as they offer fantastic opportunities to engage in the celebrations. Explore more of Japan's Obon Festival

8. Kanda Matsuri

• Date: the weekend preceding May 15, in even-numbered years
• Place: Tokyo

Kanda Matsuri is one of the grandest celebrations in Tokyo. During the event, you would see vibrant parades featuring men in samurai attire on horseback, festival floats showcasing characters from folk tales and pop culture, lively musicians, dancers, and portable shrines.

The festival is centered on Kanda Shrine and is celebrated throughout the center of Tokyo. During the event, the surrounding areas would become extremely packed.

9. The Sapporo Snow Festival

• Date: early February
• Place: Sapporo, Hokkaido

If you're visiting Hokkaido in early February, don't miss the enchanting Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival typically takes place in early February, lasting for about a week. During the festival, visitors could enjoy a variety of activities and attractions, including impressive snow and ice sculptures.

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