KNOWLEDGEBASE

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Japanese holiday

The following are Japanese national holidays and some of the most important other annual nationwide events.
In addition, there are countless local annual festivals.

January 1 (national holiday) New Year (shogatsu)This is the most important holiday in Japan. While onlyJanuary 1 is designated as a national holiday, manybusinesses remain closed through January 3.Second Monday of January (national holiday) Coming of Age (seijin no hi)The coming of age of 20 year old men and womenis celebrated on this national holiday.February 3 Beginning of spring (setsubun)Setsubun is not a national holiday, but celebrated at shrinesand temples nationwide.February 11 (national holiday) National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinenbi)According to the earliest Japanese history records, on this dayin the year 660 BC the first Japanese emperor was crowned.February 14 Valentine's DayIn Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day.It is not a national holiday.March 3 Doll's Festival (hina matsuri)Also called girl's festival.March 14 White DayThe opposite of Valentine's DayMen give cakes or chocolates to women. It is not a national holiday.March 21 (national holiday) Spring Eqinox Day (shunbun no hi)Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.April 29 (national holiday) Showa Day (Showa no hi)The birthday of former Emperor Showa. Before 2007, April 29was known as Greenery Day (now celebrated on May 4).Showa Day is part of the Golden Week.May 3 (national holiday) Constitution Day (kenpo kinenbi)A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which wasput into effect after the war.May 4 (national holiday) Greenery Day (midori no hi)Until 2006, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29, the formerEmperor Showa's birthday, due to the emperor's love for plantsand nature.It is now celebrated on May 4 and is part of the Golden Week.May 5 (national holiday) Children's Day (kodomo no hi)Also called boy's festival.July/August 7 Star Festival (tanabata)Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday.Third Monday of July (national holiday) Ocean Day (umi no hi)A recently introduced national holiday to celebrate the ocean.The day marks the return of Emperor Meiji from a boat tripto Hokkaido in 1876.July/August 13-15 ObonObon is a festival to commemorate the deceased ancestors.Third Monday of September (national holiday) Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi)Respect for the elderly and longlivity is celebrated on this national holiday.September 23 (national holiday) Autum Equinox Day (shubun no hi)Graves are visited during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.Second Monday of October (national holiday) Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi)On that day 1964, the Olympic games of Tokyo were opened.November 3 (national holiday) Culture Day (bunka no hi)A day for promotion of culture and the love for freedom and peace.On the culture day, schools and the government award certainpersons for their special, cultural activities.November 15 Seven-Five-Three (shichigosan)A festival for children, Shichigosan is not a national holiday.November 23 (national holiday) Labour Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi)A national holiday for honoring labour.December 23 (national holiday) Emperor's Birthday (tenno no tanjobi)The birthday of the current emperor is always a national holiday.If the emperor changes, the national holiday changes to thebirthday date of the new emperor.December 24-25 ChristmasChristmas is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated byan increasing number of Japanese.December 31 New Year's Eve (omizuka)December 31 is not a national holiday.