If you’re planning a trip to Japan, there are a few things you’ll want to know in advance. One of them might be Japan’s public holidays.
In many European countries, most stores close on public holidays, making it difficult to go shopping. Naturally, you might wonder whether the same happens in Japan and when these holidays take place.
Another common concern for European travelers is whether Japan has holidays similar to Christmas when many businesses shut down for a few days.
In any country, long holiday periods can mean crowds at popular tourist spots as many people take time off. So, you might also be curious if Japan has extended holiday seasons like this.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Japan’s public holidays and what they mean for travelers.
Do Shops Close on Japan’s Public Holidays?
- Except for certain special holidays, most stores in Japan remain open on public holidays.
In Japan, most businesses remain open on public holidays, except for a few special occasions. Supermarkets, home improvement stores, shops, and restaurants typically operate as usual, even on holidays. However, banks, city offices, and other government institutions are generally closed.
That being said, some businesses may close during major holidays like New Year’s. Even places that usually stay open on public holidays might take a break during this time. So, while most establishments remain open, it’s best to check in advance, especially during special holidays.
Does Japan Have Special Holidays Like Christmas?
- In Japan, New Year’s is a holiday similar to Christmas in Europe.
Christmas is widely recognized in Japan, but it is not a public holiday. This means that Christmas falls on a regular workday. However, Japan does have a major holiday when many businesses and facilities close, similar to how Christmas is observed in Europe.
That holiday is January 1st, known as “New Year’s Day” (Oshōgatsu or Gantan). In Japan, families gather to celebrate the arrival of the new year, making it one of the most significant holidays in the country—perhaps comparable to Christmas in Europe in terms of cultural importance.
Although January 2nd and 3rd are not official holidays, many businesses and facilities remain closed during this period. Most places resume operations around January 4th. If you plan to go shopping in early January, keep in mind that many stores may still be closed.
Plan Ahead for Japan’s Long Holiday Periods
- New Year’s holidays (late December to early January)
- Golden Week (late April to early May)
- Obon (mid-August)
Japan has several long holiday periods when multiple public holidays are clustered together. The most notable ones are Golden Week, New Year’s holidays, and Obon.
During these peak travel seasons, millions of people are on the move, making transportation—such as trains, flights, and buses—extremely crowded and sometimes difficult to book. Schools are also on break during these times, so many families take the opportunity to travel.
This surge in travel leads to high demand for accommodations, which means hotels and inns often get fully booked and prices rise significantly. If you’re planning to visit Japan during these periods, it’s best to book your accommodations well in advance.
While popular tourist spots tend to be crowded during long holidays, these times also offer special events and festivals, adding to the festive atmosphere. If you don’t mind the crowds, you might get to experience unique cultural celebrations that aren’t available at other times of the year.
Considering both the pros and cons, it’s a good idea to carefully choose the timing of your trip to Japan.
Golden Week in Japan: What Travelers Need to Know
- Golden Week 2025: April 29 (Tue) – May 6 (Tue)
Golden Week is a series of consecutive public holidays in Japan from late April to early May. The key holidays fall on April 29, May 3, 4, and 5, and many people take additional time off to create an extended break.
During this period, domestic travel surges as millions of people go on vacation. As a result:
- Trains, especially JR lines, become extremely crowded.
- Highways often experience heavy traffic jams.
- Hotels and other accommodations at popular tourist destinations get fully booked.
Because of these travel challenges, visiting Japan during Golden Week is generally not recommended.
That said, most businesses, including restaurants, shops, and supermarkets, remain open as usual.
Obon Holiday in Japan: What Travelers Should Know
- Obon Holiday 2025: August 13 (Wed) – August 16 (Sat)
Obon is a traditional Japanese holiday believed to be a time when the spirits of deceased ancestors return to visit their families. Because of this, many people travel back to their hometowns to reunite with family and pay respects to their ancestors. To accommodate this tradition, many companies grant their employees a summer break during this period.
- Trains, especially JR lines, become extremely crowded.
- Highways often experience heavy traffic jams.
- Hotels and accommodations in popular tourist areas are likely to be fully booked.
Since millions of people return home for Obon, transportation networks—especially trains, domestic flights, and long-distance buses—become extremely crowded. If you plan to travel during this time, it’s essential to book tickets in advance, as JR trains and flights fill up quickly.
In addition to visiting family, some people take advantage of the holiday to travel for leisure. This means that popular tourist destinations can be packed with visitors. Obon is a fascinating time to visit Japan, as many festivals and cultural events take place, but expect challenges when it comes to booking accommodation and transportation.
That said, most businesses, including restaurants, shops, and supermarkets, remain open as usual.
New Year Holidays in Japan: Travel Tips for Visitors
- New Year Holiday Period: December 29, 2026 (Tue) – January 3, 2027 (Sun)
As mentioned earlier, New Year’s in Japan is a time for family gatherings, and many people return to their hometowns to celebrate. Most businesses close for the holiday starting December 29, which leads to a mass movement of travelers.
- December 29–30: Large crowds travel from major cities to their hometowns.
- January 2–3: People return from their hometowns to urban areas.
During this period, trains, domestic flights, and long-distance buses become extremely congested. If you plan to travel during this time, booking tickets well in advance is essential.
- Trains, especially JR lines, become extremely crowded.
- Highways often experience heavy traffic jams.
- Hotels and accommodations in popular tourist areas are likely to be fully booked.
Additionally, many businesses—including shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions—close from January 1 to 3. This can make sightseeing more challenging, so be sure to plan accordingly.
List of Public Holidays in Japan for 2025
| Name | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day / 元日 | January 1 | |
| Coming of Age Day / 成人の日 | January 13 | Second Monday of January（Moveable feast） |
| National Foundation Day /建国記念の日 | February 11 | |
| Emperor’s Birthday / 天皇誕生日 | February 23 | |
| Substitute Holiday | February 24 | Emperor’s Birthday |
| Vernal Equinox Day / 春分の日 | March 20 | |
| Showa Day / 昭和の日 | April 29 | |
| Constitution Memorial Day / 憲法記念日 | May 3 | |
| Greenery Day /みどりの日 | May 4 | |
| Children’s Day /こどもの日 | May 5 | |
| Substitute Holiday | May 6 | Children’s Day |
| Marine Day / 海の日 | July 21 | Third Monday of July（Moveable feast） |
| Mountain Day / 山の日 | August 11 | |
| Respect for the Aged Day /敬老の日 | September 15 | |
| Autumnal Equinox Day /秋分の日 | September 23 | |
| Sports Day /スポーツの日 | October 13 | Second Monday of October（Moveable feast） |
| Culture Day /文化の日 | November 3 | |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day / 勤労感謝の日 | November 23 | |
| Substitute Holiday | November 24 | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
List of Public Holidays in Japan for 2026
| Name | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day / 元日 | January 1 | |
| Coming of Age Day / 成人の日 | January 12 | Second Monday of January（Moveable feast） |
| National Foundation Day /建国記念の日 | February 11 | |
| Emperor’s Birthday / 天皇誕生日 | February 23 | |
| Vernal Equinox Day / 春分の日 | March 20 | |
| Showa Day / 昭和の日 | April 29 | |
| Constitution Memorial Day / 憲法記念日 | May 3 | |
| Greenery Day /みどりの日 | May 4 | |
| Children’s Day /こどもの日 | May 5 | |
| Substitute Holiday | May 6 | Children’s Day |
| Marine Day / 海の日 | July 20 | Third Monday of July（Moveable feast） |
| Mountain Day / 山の日 | August 11 | |
| Respect for the Aged Day /敬老の日 | September 21 | Third Monday of September |
| Substitute Holiday | September 22 | Respect for the Aged Day |
| Autumnal Equinox Day /秋分の日 | September 23 | |
| Sports Day /スポーツの日 | October 12 | Second Monday of October（Moveable feast） |
| Culture Day /文化の日 | November 3 | |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day / 勤労感謝の日 | November 23 |