Before planning your trip to Japan, it’s essential to check the Japan Holidays scheduled during your stay. This is important not only because some museums, shops, and other facilities may be closed on these public holidays, but also because Japanese people tend to travel and visit popular destinations on these days.

Shinkansen, flights, and accommodations can get booked out very early for these Japan Holidays if not planned ahead. Additionally, prices may increase if you delay booking. Below are the public holidays in Japan for 2025.

Japan Holidays 2025

Source: Japan Cabinet Office – 「国民の祝日」について(About National Holidays)

In June and December, there are no public holidays in Japan.

Tips of Japan Holidays:

1. Year-End and New Year Holiday: Although December 31st and January 3rd are not listed as Japan National Holidays, they are part of the Year-End and New Year Holiday.
2. What is a “Substitute Holiday” in Japan? When a Japan National Holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday, known as a “Substitute Holiday”.

Three-day Weekends

In 2025, several Japan National Holidays fall on weekends, leading to three-day weekends as they are observed on the following Monday. These holidays include Emperor’s Birthday, Greenery Day, and Labor Thanksgiving Day. In total, there are three instances of holidays being observed on a Monday, creating opportunities for extended weekend trips.

Here are the three-day weekends in 2025:

• February 22 (Sat) to February 24 (Mon)
• May 3 (Sat) to May 6 (Tue) (Four-day weekend!)
• November 22 (Sat) to November 24 (Mon)

Golden Week 2025

The Golden Week in Japan in 2025 is expected to span from April 29 (Tue) to May 6 (Tue).

While April 30 (Wed), May 1 (Thu), and May 2 (Fri) are regular workdays, many people take leave to enjoy an extended holiday. If you plan to visit Japan during Golden Week, be prepared for crowds and potentially higher prices for accommodations and travel.

When do Japanese people travel?

It may be helpful to know the three busiest travel seasons in Japan. Shinkansen, flights, and accommodations are booked out early, and prices could go up if you don’t book in advance for these periods.

1. New Year: The most important Japan National Holiday. Most businesses close from December 30 until January 3.
2. Golden Week: Four Japan National Holidays—Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day—fall within seven days. Many people use paid leave to extend this into a long holiday week.
3. Obon Week: Obon is a Japanese Buddhist event to honor ancestors, observed from August 13 to 15 or 16 (in some regions, July 13-15 or 16). Many Japanese people return to their hometowns during this period, and some companies close for the week.

Avoid the busy times and enjoy Japan! We recommend avoiding the three busiest travel seasons mentioned above to save your budget and avoid the crowds.

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