Japan Public Holidays 2025 - a Full List for You to Plan Your Trip

Japan has 16 national holidays each year. While most public holidays are only one day long, people and companies often combine weekends to create longer breaks. It is common to have consecutive holidays of 3 to 4 days.

There are public holidays each month except June. The longest public holiday occurs from late April to early May, known as "Golden Week," which is the busiest travel time in the country. In Japan, public holidays are always busy travel times as most Japanese will take their short vacation traveling around the country.

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

Japan Public Consecutive Holidays in 2025

Please note that consecutive holiday dates are not official public holidays but extended breaks. "Consecutive holidays" occur when official holidays fall next to weekends, allowing for longer vacations. For example, during Golden Week, many Japanese enjoy a week-long holiday.

Japan Public Holidays in January 2025

This month, the Japanese can take 12 days off. This includes a 9-day New Year holiday and 3 days for Coming of Age Day. New Year's Day is one of the longest holidays in Japan. Many companies and government offices observe the New Year holiday from around December 28 to January 3. So with the two weekends, Japanese people can have a 9-day long holiday.

During the New Year's Day, shrines are very crowded. Tokyo Disneyland also sees large crowds on Coming of Age Day due to the exciting rituals associated with the occasion.

• New Year's Day: Dec. 28 - Jan. 5 ( 9 days holiday)
• Coming of the Age Day: Jan. 11- Jan. 13 ( 3 days holiday)

Japanese New Year's Holiday / Ganjitsu

• Date: January 1
• Consecutive holiday period: Dec. 28 - Jan. 5
• Celebrating regions: all over Japan

New Year's Day is one of the most important festivals in Japan. During the New Year's holiday, shrines across the country is extremely crowded. Local people swam into them to pray especially from Jan 1 to Jan. 3.

At the temple, you will see people 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.

Japan Holidays in February and March 2025

In February and March, people in Japan have a total of 11 days off, with two 4-day holidays and one 3-day holiday.

• National Foundation Day: Feb. 8 - February 11 (4 days)
• Emperor's Day: Feb. 22 - Feb. 24 ( 3 days)
• Vernal Equinox Day: Mar. 20 - Mar. 23 ( 4 days)

The southern islands, like Okinawa, may be very crowded because of the warm weather and cherry blossoms. If you plan to visit Okinawa, it's best to avoid these dates.

Japan Holidays in April and May

April and May are also long holiday months in Japan. Early April is cherry blossom season, and the first week is Spring Break for students. From late April to early May is Golden Week, the busiest travel time when many locals travel. With weekends and extra days off, people can enjoy an 11-day break from April 26 to May 6 in 2025.

• Golden Week 2025: Apr. 26 - May 6 (11 days)

Golden Week Japan

The Japanese Golden Week holiday begins on the last Saturday of April, from April 26 to May 6, 2025.

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.

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

Japan Public Holidays in July and August 2025

July and August are summer vacation months for students in Japan. Besides summer break, the Obon holiday in mid-August is the longest and busiest time. Although Obon isn't an official public holiday, most companies give employees 4 days off.

During Obon, popular tourist cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara can get very crowded. It's also hot and humid, so cool places like Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps see many local travelers.

• Marine Day: July 19 - July 21 (3 days)
• Student Summer Vacation: Mid-July - End of August (about 1 month)
• Mountain Day: August 9 - August 11 (3 days)
• Obon Festival: August 13 - August 16 (4 days)

Obon Japan 2025

Obon is a vibrant celebration held across Japan. While not a public holiday, most companies give their employees 4 days off from August 13 to August 16.

Obon is a very busy travel time in Japan. Popular tourist cities and cooler northern areas get crowded, and airports and train stations are packed with people. Traffic jams are common. If you plan to visit in mid-August, make sure to book everything in advance and be ready for large crowds.

The Obon festival is a great time to experience local customs and culture. Streets and alleys are filled with small stalls selling interesting local snacks and trinkets. You can also see people floating lanterns on rivers, like the Sumida River in Tokyo. Explore more of Japan's Obon Festival

Japan Holiday in September and October

Compared to the extended holidays in May and August, the break in September is relatively short. This month features holidays on September 15th (Respect for the Aged Day) and September 23rd (Autumn Equinox Day). Including the weekends, people can enjoy a consecutive break of 3 to 4 days"

• Respect for the Aged Day: Sep. 13 - Sep. 15 (3 days)
• Autumnal Equinox Day: Sep. 20 - Sep. 23 (4 days)
• Sports Day: October 11 - October 13 (3 days)

Japan Holiday in November and December

• Culture Day: Nov. 1 - Nov. 3 (3 days)
• Labor Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 22 - Nov. 24 (3 days)

November is the red leaf season in Japan. During this time, crowds of tourists and locals travel to popular spots to view the red leaves. Popular red leaf locations, including Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Nikko, can get very crowded. Public transportation can be very crowded, and traffic jams on the roads are quite common. You may need to spend 5 to 6 hours traveling from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, compared to the usual 2 to 3 hours on normal days.

In early November, Nikko and Hakone can be very crowded with locals as the leaves start to change color.

FAQs on Japan Public Holidays 2025?

Is Christmas a Public Holiday in Japan?

Christmas is not an official holiday in Japan, so people work and shops stay open as usual. Despite this, cities are beautifully decorated for Christmas, featuring light displays like the Marunouchi Illumination, Roppongi Hills night illumination,, and Christmas markets in Tokyo.

Is Easter a Public Holiday in Japan?

Easter is not a public holiday in Japan. Aside from Easter events at Tokyo Disney, there are no special celebrations. Shops remain open, and people work as usual.

Are Shops open during Japan's Public Holidays?

Some shops may close on December 31 and January 1, but they will reopen on January 2. Outlets, drugstores, Yodobashi Camera, and Don Quijote remain open all the time.

Planning to Visit Japan in 2025, Need Suggestions?

Here's a complete list of Japan's public holidays in 2025. Traveling during these holidays may mean larger crowds at popular attractions and higher hotel prices. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to consult our travel advisors. They can provide fantastic suggestions for your travel itinerary. Contact Us Now!