Japan Public Holidays 2026
Japan has 18 public holiday dates in 2026.
Last updated: 8 November 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Thu 1 Jan | New Year's Day |
| Mon 12 Jan | Coming of Age Day |
| Wed 11 Feb | Foundation Day |
| Mon 23 Feb | Emperor's Birthday |
| Fri 20 Mar | Vernal Equinox Day |
| Wed 29 Apr | Showa Day |
| Sun 3 May | Constitution Day |
| Mon 4 May | Greenery Day |
| Tue 5 May | Children's Day |
| Wed 6 May | Substitute Holiday |
| Mon 20 Jul | Marine Day |
| Tue 11 Aug | Mountain Day |
| Mon 21 Sep | Respect for the Aged Day |
| Tue 22 Sep | National Holiday |
| Wed 23 Sep | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| Mon 12 Oct | Sports Day |
| Tue 3 Nov | Culture Day |
| Mon 23 Nov | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
2026 holiday calendar — Japan
- Public holiday
- Suggested day off
- Weekend
Tap a coloured date to see the holiday.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Long weekends and best days to take off in Japan in 2026
Best use of leave in 2026: take Thu 24 – Fri 25 Sep off around Respect for the Aged Day for 9 days off in a row (Sat 19 – Sun 27 Sep).
✈️ 3 days or more off? How about a trip? Ideas are in the last column — tap one for where to stay.
| Break | Dates | Take leave on | Holiday | Trip idea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day leave → 4 days off best value | Thu 1 – Sun 4 Jan | Fri 2 Jan | New Year's Day |  Seoul |
| 3 days off | Sat 10 – Mon 12 Jan | No leave needed | Coming of Age Day | Busan |
| 2 days leave → 5 days off | Sat 7 – Wed 11 Feb | Mon 9 – Tue 10 Feb | Foundation Day |  Da Nang |
| 3 days off | Sat 21 – Mon 23 Feb | No leave needed | Emperor's Birthday | Seoul |
| 3 days off | Fri 20 – Sun 22 Mar | No leave needed | Vernal Equinox Day | Busan |
| 4 days leave → 12 days off | Sat 25 Apr – Wed 6 May | Mon 27 – Tue 28 Apr + Thu 30 Apr – Fri 1 May | Showa Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day, Substitute Holiday | Da Nang |
| 2 days leave → 8 days off best value | Wed 29 Apr – Wed 6 May | Thu 30 Apr – Fri 1 May | Showa Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day, Substitute Holiday | Da Nang |
| 5 days off | Sat 2 – Wed 6 May | No leave needed | Constitution Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day, Substitute Holiday | Da Nang |
| 3 days off | Sat 18 – Mon 20 Jul | No leave needed | Marine Day | Taipei |
| 1 day leave → 4 days off | Sat 8 – Tue 11 Aug | Mon 10 Aug | Mountain Day | Seoul |
| 5 days off | Sat 19 – Wed 23 Sep | No leave needed | Respect for the Aged Day, National Holiday, Autumnal Equinox Day | Da Nang |
| 2 days leave → 9 days off best value | Sat 19 – Sun 27 Sep | Thu 24 – Fri 25 Sep | Respect for the Aged Day, National Holiday, Autumnal Equinox Day | Da Nang |
| 3 days off | Sat 10 – Mon 12 Oct | No leave needed | Sports Day | Seoul |
| 1 day leave → 4 days off | Sat 31 Oct – Tue 3 Nov | Mon 2 Nov | Culture Day | Busan |
| 3 days off | Sat 21 – Mon 23 Nov | No leave needed | Labor Thanksgiving Day | Taipei |
Calculated from the national holidays above with a Saturday–Sunday weekend. Company rules, shift work and regional holidays can change the result.
Japan holidays in 2026 at a glance
Japan has 18 public holiday dates in 2026, from Thu 1 Jan to Mon 23 Nov. 1 of them fall on a Saturday or Sunday, so the substitute rules matter.
Compare with Japan public holidays 2027, which are checked against the official announcement, or browse all countries for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- How many public holidays does Japan have in 2026?
- 18 dates are listed on this page.
- Are the 2026 dates official?
- Yes, they follow the published list for that year.
- Are regional holidays included?
- No. Only holidays that apply nationwide are listed.
Sources: Cabinet Office, Japan – National holidays · python-holidays – open holiday rules