- July 15, 2025
- No Comments
Planning around the Japan national holiday 2025 schedule can help make the most of your time—whether you’re living in Japan or just visiting. For foreigners, knowing when national holidays fall is especially useful, as they can affect everything from business hours and public services to transportation and travel costs.
Japan has a variety of national holidays spread throughout the year, along with longer breaks like Golden Week, Obon, and Silver Week. These periods are popular for travel, so it’s common to see crowded trains, busy highways, and higher prices for hotels and flights.
This guide covers all the major national holidays in Japan in 2025 and offers tips on how to navigate peak seasons. Whether you’re planning a trip, taking time off, or adjusting your daily routine, having the right information can help you avoid stress and enjoy your holidays to the fullest.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Japan National Holiday 2025 – Full List
There are 16 national holidays in Japan in 2025, each officially designated to celebrate important cultural, historical, or seasonal events. These holidays provide valuable time off for both residents and visitors, and they can affect work schedules, travel plans, and public services.
Here’s the complete list of Japan national holidays in 2025:
| Date | Holiday Name | Japanese Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1 (Wed) |
元日 (Ganjitsu) |
Celebrates the start of the new year. |
|
|
January 13 (Mon) |
Coming of Age Day |
成人の日 (Seijin no Hi) |
Honors young adults turning 20 |
|
February 11 (Tue) |
National Foundation Day |
建国記念日 (Kenkoku Kinen Bi) |
Celebrates the founding of Japan as a nation. |
|
February 23 (24th is Substitute holiday) |
天皇誕生日 (Tennō Tanjōbi) |
Marks the birthday of Emperor Naruhito. |
|
|
March 20 (Thu) |
春分の日 (Shunbun no Hi) |
A day to appreciate nature and ancestors. |
|
|
April 29 (Tue) |
昭和の日 (Shōwa no Hi) |
A day to reflect on the Shōwa era. |
|
|
May 3 (Sat) |
憲法記念日 (Kenpō Kinenbi) |
Commemorating May 3, the day the Constitution of Japan came into effect. |
|
|
May 4 (6th is Substitute holiday) |
みどりの日 (Midori no Hi) |
Encourages appreciation of nature. |
|
|
May 5 (Mon) |
こどもの日 (Kodomo no Hi) |
Celebrating children’s happiness and health. |
|
|
July 21 (Mon) |
海の日 (Umi no Hi) |
Honors the ocean’s importance to Japan as an island nation. |
|
|
August 11 (Mon) |
Mountain Day |
山の日 (Yama no Hi) |
Encourages appreciation of Japan’s mountains. |
|
September 15 (Mon) |
敬老の日 (Keirō no Hi) |
Honors senior citizens and their contributions to society. |
|
|
September 23 (Tue) |
秋分の日 (Shūbun no Hi) |
Marks the seasonal shift, with many visiting family graves. |
|
|
October 13 (Mon) |
Sports Day |
スポーツの日 (Supōtsu no Hi) |
Promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. |
|
November 3 (Mon) |
文化の日 (Bunka no Hi) |
Celebrates arts, culture, and academic achievements. |
|
|
November 23 (Sun, observed on Mon, Nov 24) |
勤労感謝の日 (Kinrō Kansha no Hi) |
A day to express gratitude for labor and production. |
Chapter 2: Understanding Japan’s Long Holidays
In addition to individual public holidays, Japan national holiday 2025 includes several extended holiday periods, known as 大型連休 (Ōgata Renkyū) or “long holidays.” These include Golden Week, Obon, and Silver Week, which are some of the busiest travel times in Japan.
These long breaks are popular for both domestic and international travel, so transportation and accommodations often get fully booked, and prices can rise sharply. Planning ahead is essential to avoid the rush and enjoy a smooth holiday experience.
#Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク)
Golden Week is one of Japan’s most significant holiday periods, consisting of multiple national holidays in late April and early May. In 2025, an 11-day vacation is possible if additional leave is taken strategically.
- April 29 (Tue) – Shōwa Day (昭和の日)
- May 3 (Sat) – Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日)
- May 4 (Sun) – Greenery Day (みどりの日)
- May 5 (Mon) – Children’s Day (こどもの日)
- May 6 (Tue) – Substitute Holiday for Green Day
By taking paid leave on April 30 (Wed), May 1 (Thu), and May 2 (Fri), it is possible to enjoy a long 11-day holiday from April 26 (Sat) to May 6 (Tue).
Even without extra leave, a four-day holiday from May 3 to May 6 is guaranteed.
#Obon (お盆)
Obon is a traditional Japanese holiday period around August 13, during which families honor their ancestors by visiting graves and holding memorial ceremonies. Although Obon is not an official national holiday, many businesses close, and it is a significant travel season for domestic trips. In 2025, Obon will take place from August 13 (Wed) to August 16 (Sat).
In 2025, August 11 (Mon) is Mountain Day (山の日), a national holiday, which creates an opportunity for an extended summer break. Many people are expected to take additional leave around this time, further extending the holiday period.
#Silver Week (シルバーウィーク)
Silver Week is a long holiday period in September that occurs when certain national holidays align favorably with weekends. In 2025, the key holidays are:
- September 15 (Mon) – Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日)
- September 23 (Tue) – Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日)
By taking paid leave from September 16 (Tue) to September 22 (Mon), it is possible to have an 11-day vacation from September 13 (Sat) to September 23 (Tue).
Even without taking five days of paid leave, a four-day break is possible by taking one day off on September 22 (Mon).
Related Post
While Japan’s long holidays provide wonderful opportunities for travel and relaxation, they also come with higher prices and crowded places. It may be helpful to take advantage of other holidays or use this calendar to make reservations in advance for a more comfortable experience.
