This article was written by the NIPPON VISA & LIFE editorial team based on information from public organizations such as the national government and local governments. Rules and fees may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live.
Japan’s “national holidays” (国民の祝日) are set by law, and there are 16 of them each year. National government offices are closed on national holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, and from December 29 to January 3. Try to finish procedures at government offices and banks early, before the holidays.
The Short Answer: What to Know Before the Holidays
- National holidays are set by a national law (the Act on National Holidays, 国民の祝日に関する法律). National holidays are days off
- When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the nearest following day that is not a national holiday becomes a holiday (a substitute holiday, 振替休日)
- National government offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, and from December 29 to January 3. The closing days of city, ward, town and village offices are set by each municipality’s ordinance (条例, rules made by the municipality)
- Banks are closed on Sundays, Saturdays and national holidays, and from December 31 to January 3
- Ordinary mail (letters and postcards) is, as a rule, not delivered on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, except on January 1
(Sources: Cabinet Office “About National Holidays”, e-Gov Law Search “Act on Holidays of Administrative Organs”, e-Gov Law Search “Order for Enforcement of the Banking Act”, Japan Post “Is mail delivered on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays?”)
An overview of manners and rules for living in Japan will be gathered in Manners and Rules to Know When Living in Japan.
List of National Holidays for 2026 and 2027
These are the national holidays and holidays published by the Cabinet Office. “Holiday (substitute holiday)” and “Holiday (citizens’ holiday)” are days off in the same way as national holidays.
| Name of the holiday | 2026 (Reiwa 8) | 2027 (Reiwa 9) |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (元日) | January 1 | January 1 |
| Coming of Age Day (成人の日) | January 12 | January 11 |
| National Foundation Day (建国記念の日) | February 11 | February 11 |
| The Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日) | February 23 | February 23 |
| Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日) | March 20 | March 21 |
| Holiday (substitute holiday) | ― | March 22 |
| Showa Day (昭和の日) | April 29 | April 29 |
| Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日) | May 3 | May 3 |
| Greenery Day (みどりの日) | May 4 | May 4 |
| Children’s Day (こどもの日) | May 5 | May 5 |
| Holiday (substitute holiday) | May 6 | ― |
| Marine Day (海の日) | July 20 | July 19 |
| Mountain Day (山の日) | August 11 | August 11 |
| Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日) | September 21 | September 20 |
| Holiday (citizens’ holiday) | September 22 | ― |
| Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日) | September 23 | September 23 |
| Sports Day (スポーツの日) | October 12 | October 11 |
| Culture Day (文化の日) | November 3 | November 3 |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日) | November 23 | November 23 |
(Sources: Cabinet Office “About National Holidays”)
- The dates of Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day are not fixed by law. Each February, the dates for the following year are published in the Official Gazette (官報, kanpo, the official notices issued by the national government)
- The period from Showa Day on April 29 to Children’s Day on May 5 has many national holidays and is called “Golden Week”
How Substitute Holidays and Citizens’ Holidays Work
- Substitute holiday: When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the nearest following day that is “not a national holiday” becomes a holiday. Example: In 2027, Vernal Equinox Day (March 21) is a Sunday, so March 22 is a holiday
- Citizens’ holiday (国民の休日): A day whose previous day and next day are both national holidays becomes a holiday. Example: September 22, 2026 falls between Respect for the Aged Day (September 21) and Autumnal Equinox Day (September 23), so it is a holiday
(Sources: e-Gov Law Search “Act on National Holidays”, Cabinet Office “About National Holidays”)
Days When Government Offices Are Closed (Be Careful at the End and Start of the Year)
National government offices (national organizations such as the Regional Immigration Services Bureau and Hello Work, ハローワーク) are closed on the following days.
- Saturdays and Sundays
- National holidays and holidays (substitute holidays and citizens’ holidays)
- From December 29 to January 3
Under the law, these offices do not work on these days as a rule. However, some organizations and counters may open on days off. Before you go, check the website of that organization.
(Sources: e-Gov Law Search “Act on Holidays of Administrative Organs”)
The closing days of city, ward, town and village offices are set by each municipality’s ordinance, based on the Local Autonomy Act. They are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, and on days at the end and start of the year. How many days they are closed at the end and start of the year, and whether any counters open on Saturdays or Sundays, differ by municipality. Search the website of the municipality where you live with words such as “年末年始 窓口” (year-end and New Year counters) or “休日 窓口” (holiday counters).
(Sources: e-Gov Law Search “Local Autonomy Act” Article 4-2)
At the end and start of the year, government offices may be crowded before the holidays. For procedures you do at the municipal office, such as the moving-in notification and National Health Insurance, read Procedures at the Municipal Office After You Arrive in Japan: Moving-in Notification, My Number, National Health Insurance, National Pension and Resident Tax Basics and finish them early.
Days When Banks and Post Offices Are Closed
Banks
In addition to Sundays, bank holidays are the following days.
- National holidays and holidays (substitute holidays and citizens’ holidays)
- From December 31 to January 3
- Saturdays
(Sources: e-Gov Law Search “Banking Act” Article 15, e-Gov Law Search “Order for Enforcement of the Banking Act” Article 5)
Do procedures that cannot be done at the counter on holidays (such as opening an account or sending money abroad) on weekdays. Whether ATMs (machines for depositing and withdrawing money) can be used on holidays, and whether fees are charged, differ depending on the bank and the location of the ATM. Check the website of the bank you use.
Ordinary mail (letters, postcards and similar) is, as a rule, not delivered on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, except on January 1. Express mail (速達), registered mail (書留), Letter Pack and Yu-Pack are delivered on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays as well.
(Sources: Japan Post “Is mail delivered on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays?”)
When you send documents by mail to a government office or company, delivery takes longer when there are several days off in a row. Send documents that have a deadline early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are companies and schools always closed on national holidays?
The days a company is closed are decided separately from the national holidays in the law, by each company’s rules (such as the rules of employment, 就業規則) and the employment contract. What the law sets is that a company must give at least one day off every week, or 4 or more days off in 4 weeks. To find out whether you work on national holidays, check your employment contract or the notice of working conditions (労働条件通知書), or ask your company. The rules on working are summarized in Basics of Job Hunting and Working in Japan: Hello Work, Working Conditions, Pay and Overtime, Paid Leave, Quitting and Where to Get Advice.
(Sources: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Working Hours and Days Off”)
Is Obon a national holiday?
Obon (お盆, an event in mid-August to honor ancestors) is not a national holiday. Because it is not on the list of national holidays, national government offices and banks are open unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or national holiday. Some companies have summer holidays during this period.
What if I get sick or injured on a national holiday or at the end and start of the year?
There are hospitals and clinics that can see you on holidays and at night. For how to find them and how to call an ambulance, read When You Get Sick or Injured in Japan: Basics of Hospitals, Ambulances, Medicine, Medical Insurance and Where to Get Advice.
Can I put out garbage on national holidays and at the end and start of the year?
What happens when a garbage collection day falls on a national holiday or at the end and start of the year differs by municipality. Check the garbage collection calendar distributed by your municipality, or its website.
Primary Sources Used to Write This Article
- Cabinet Office “About National Holidays”
- e-Gov Law Search “Act on National Holidays”
- e-Gov Law Search “Act on Holidays of Administrative Organs”
- e-Gov Law Search “Local Autonomy Act”
- e-Gov Law Search “Banking Act”
- e-Gov Law Search “Order for Enforcement of the Banking Act”
- Japan Post “Is mail delivered on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays?”
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Working Hours and Days Off”
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
