Holiday Guide for Japan in 2016

Japan information

Japan observes 16 national holidays throughout the year. On these days schools and public offices are closed, and many employers give workers the day off. June and December are the only months without a national holiday.

List of National Holidays in Japan in 2016

	Friday January 1st  Long Weekend!  New Year's Day Japan: New Year's Day is a public holiday in all countries that observe the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel
	Monday January 11th  Long Weekend!  Coming-of-Age Day Japan: The day honors young Japanese who will reach the age of 20 at any point during the year
	Thursday February 11th National Foundation Day Japan: Japan's National Day marks the traditional date on which according to legend Emperor Jimmu founded Japan in 660 BC
	Monday March 21st  Long Weekend!  Vernal Equinox Day Japan: In Japan the vernal equinox is a welcome holiday as it marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring
	Friday April 29th  Long Weekend!  Showa Day Japan: Honours the birthday of Emperor Hirohito, the reigning Emperor before, during, and after World War II
	Tuesday May 3rd Constitution Memorial Day Japan: Commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of Japan on May 3rd, 1947
	Wednesday May 4th Greenery Day Japan: Celebrates nature. Festivities include the planting of a tree and the planting of seeds by the Emperor and Empress
	Thursday May 5th Children's Day Japan: This is a day set aside to respect childrens personalities and to celebrate their happiness
	Monday July 18th  Long Weekend!  Marine Day Japan: Established to express gratitude for the gifts of the sea and honour its importance to the prosperity of Japan as a maritime nation
	Thursday August 11th Mountain Day Japan: A new holiday to take place for the first time in 2016, celebrating the nation's mountains
	Monday September 19th  Long Weekend!  Respect for the Aged Day Japan: Respect of the Aged Day was established as a national holiday in 1966 to express respect for the elders in the community
	Thursday September 22nd Autumnal Equinox Day Japan: The Autumnal Equinox marks the day that the sun crosses over the equator from the Northern to the Southern hemisphere
	Monday October 10th  Long Weekend!  Health-Sports Day Japan: Japan celebrates Sports Day to promote sports and an active lifestyle to ensure a healthy mind and body
	Thursday November 3rd Culture Day Japan: Culture Day is a day to honor traditional Japanese culture and promote the love of freedom and peace
	Wednesday November 23rd Labour Thanksgiving Day Japan: Labor Thanksgiving Day is a modern name for the ritual of Harvest Festival
	Friday December 23rd  Long Weekend!  The Emperor's Birthday Japan: The birthday of the current Emperor of Japan is always celebrated as a national holiday

Notes

• If Respect for the aged day falls on 21 September and Autumnal Equinox falls in 23 September, then 22 September is declared a holiday - creating 'Silver Week'.
• With the exception of New Year's Day, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following day is treated as a holiday instead.