Beginning with the year 2000, the Japanese Diet changed a number of holidays to create 3-day weekends in order to stimulate consumer spending and travel. Thus, you will see many holidays falling on days different from those in prior years. There are 3 major holiday seasons in Japan: New Years; Golden Week; and Obon (Festival of the Dead).
New Years is generally celebrated from the 31st of December (New Years Eve: omisoka ) through the 5th
of January. Most businesses are closed during the period from the 31st of December through the 3rd of January. Golden Week is named after the string of holidays which occur from the end of April through the 1st week of May.
It is not unusual for companies to close to include the interim days to give employees an entire week off, although there is a tendency to close only on calendar listed holidays developing due to the economy. The Festival of the Dead is celebrated from the 13th of August through the 15th in West Japan. Sections of East Japan celebrate it at the end of July. Many companies are closed during this time, although again, as in the case of Golden Week, there are companies which are breaking with tradition. Travel during any of the 3 main holiday seasons often brings with it increased prices in food and lodging. Local hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops often charge special holiday prices during these periods.Airlines and tour agencies also have increased rates during the seasons. Roads and long distance trains are extremely crowded during the beginnings and ends of each holiday. Bullet trains pack people in on a standing room only basis in the economy sections, so be prepared to stand if you don't have reservations during this period. Freeways have traffic jams extending as long as 70 km (43.5 miles) and rest areas on the freeway are
packed. Copyright, A.E.L.S., Inc. (Billy Hammond), 2000.
Month
Date
Holiday
English Equivalent
Comments
January
1
Ganjitsu
New Years Day
1st to 3rd are observed as New Years Holidays. January
8
Seijin no hi
Coming of Age Day
Age of Majority = 20
February
12
Kenkoku kinen no hi
Founding of the Nation Day falls on the 11th (Sun) so the National Holiday will be celebrated on the 12th this year
--
March
20
Shumbun no hi
Start of Spring (Vernal Equinox)
--
April
29
Midori no hi
Green Day
Environmental Focus
May
3
Kenpo Kinenbi
Constitution Day
-- May
4
Kokumin no Kyujitsu
Citizen's Day of Rest
-- May
5
Kodomo no hi
Children's Day
--
June
--
--
--
No Holidays
July
20
Umi no Hi
Sea Day (Marine Day)
--
August
--
--
--
Festival of the Dead: See below
September
15
Keiro no hi
Respect for the Aged Day
-- September
24
Shubun no hi
Fall Equinox
Shunbun no hi (September 23rd) falls on Sunday this year, so the National Holiday will be celebrated on the 24th
October
8
Taiiku no hi
Physical Fitness Day
Many companies have Field Days on this day.
November
3
Bunka no hi
Culture Day
-- November
23
Kinro Kansha no hi
Labor Day
--
December
23
Tenno Tanjobi
Emperor's Birthday
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