9 days off for 2 days of leave
Long weekends 2026 in Japan
Japan has 17 public holidays in 2026, every one of them on a weekday. Your best deal is 2 to 10 May: 2 days of leave turn into 9 days off in a row.
- Bank holidays 2026
- 17
- on weekdays
- 17
- bridge days
- 3
- off for 2 days of annual leave
- 9 days
Japan in 2026 at a glance
Japan has 17 public holidays in 2026, taken from the official government list. Every one falls on a weekday.
Leave rules differ by employer and contract in Japan, so the planner shows every budget from one to ten days. Among the 16 countries we cover outside our main markets, Japan ranks number 2 for full days off this year.
Every public holiday in Japan in 2026
Here is each day off in date order, what it marks, and the quickest way to turn it into a longer break.
Tokyo
KyotoiPhoto: Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons- Thursday, January 1: 元日. New Year's Day, Ganjitsu, is the most important holiday in Japan. Families visit a shrine for hatsumode, eat osechi dishes and rest during the New Year week. Take Friday, January 2 off and you have 4 days in a row, 1 to 4 January.
- Monday, January 12: 成人の日. Coming of Age Day on the second Monday of January celebrates those who turn twenty, with ceremonies and young people in kimono. It creates a winter long weekend. You get 3 free days in a row, 10 to 12 January, with no leave needed.
- Wednesday, February 11: 建国記念の日. National Foundation Day on 11 February marks the legendary founding of Japan. A quiet holiday for most, it suits a winter trip to the snow or the hot springs. Take Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10 off and you have 5 days in a row, 7 to 11 February.
- Monday, February 23: 天皇誕生日. The Emperor's Birthday on 23 February brings a rare public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The day off falls in plum blossom season. You get 3 free days in a row, 21 to 23 February, with no leave needed.
- Friday, March 20: 春分の日. Vernal Equinox Day marks the arrival of spring. Families visit ancestors' graves during the higan week, and the cherry blossom season is close. You get 3 free days in a row, 20 to 22 March, with no leave needed.
- Wednesday, April 29: 昭和の日. Showa Day on 29 April honours the Showa era and opens Golden Week, the busiest travel period of the year in Japan. Take Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1 off and you have 8 days in a row, 29 April to 6 May.
- Monday, May 4: みどりの日. Greenery Day on 4 May celebrates nature. It falls in the middle of Golden Week, a lovely time for gardens and parks in fresh spring green. You get 5 free days in a row, 2 to 6 May, with no leave needed.
- Tuesday, May 5: こどもの日. Children's Day on 5 May closes Golden Week. Carp streamers, koinobori, fly over homes, wishing children health and strength. That makes 5 days off in a row without using any leave, 2 to 6 May.
- Wednesday, May 6: 憲法記念日. Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May marks the 1947 constitution. It sits in the heart of Golden Week, when trains and hotels are at their busiest. You get 5 free days in a row, 2 to 6 May, with no leave needed.
- Monday, July 20: 海の日. Marine Day on the third Monday of July gives thanks for the ocean and opens the beach season. Its long weekend is busy at the coast. You get 3 free days in a row, 18 to 20 July, with no leave needed.
- Tuesday, August 11: 山の日. Mountain Day on 11 August celebrates Japan's mountains and leads into Obon week, when many people travel to their hometowns. Take Monday, August 10 off and you have 4 days in a row, 8 to 11 August.
- Monday, September 21: 敬老の日. Respect for the Aged Day on the third Monday of September honours elderly people. In some years it forms the Silver Week with the autumn equinox. You get 5 free days in a row, 19 to 23 September, with no leave needed.
- Tuesday, September 22: 国民の休日. A citizens' holiday: a day sandwiched between two public holidays becomes a day off by law. It turns the equinox week into a longer break. That makes 5 days off in a row without using any leave, 19 to 23 September.
- Wednesday, September 23: 秋分の日. Autumnal Equinox Day is a time to visit family graves during the higan week. Early autumn weather makes it popular for short trips. You get 5 free days in a row, 19 to 23 September, with no leave needed.
- Monday, October 12: スポーツの日. Sports Day on the second Monday of October celebrates health and sport, with school sports festivals and a pleasant autumn long weekend. You get 3 free days in a row, 10 to 12 October, with no leave needed.
- Tuesday, November 3: 文化の日. Culture Day on 3 November celebrates the arts and freedom, with museums, festivals and award ceremonies. It falls in the autumn colour season. Take Monday, November 2 off and you have 4 days in a row, 31 October to 3 November.
- Monday, November 23: 勤労感謝の日. Labour Thanksgiving Day on 23 November honours work and the harvest. It is often the last long weekend for autumn leaves in Kyoto. You get 3 free days in a row, 21 to 23 November, with no leave needed.
TokyoKyotoiPhoto: Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons2026's top breaks for Japan
Each break below starts and ends on a free day, contains at least one public holiday, and needs no more than 10 days of leave. They are ranked by how many days off each day of leave brings.
1 to 4 January: 1 day of leave (January 2) around 元日 gives 4 days off, 4.0 days for every day used.
Around 建国記念の日, 2 days of leave on Mon February 9 and Tue February 10 unlock 5 days away, 7 to 11 February.
Around みどりの日, こどもの日 and 憲法記念日, 2 days of leave on Thu May 7 and Fri May 8 unlock 9 days away, 2 to 10 May.
8 to 11 August: 1 day of leave (August 10) around 山の日 gives 4 days off, 4.0 days for every day used.
Around 敬老の日, 国民の休日 and 秋分の日, 2 days of leave on Thu September 24 and Fri September 25 unlock 9 days away, 19 to 27 September.
31 October to 3 November: 1 day of leave (November 2) around 文化の日 gives 4 days off, 4.0 days for every day used.
The best breaks 2026 in Japan
Every row is a run of weekends, public holidays and days of leave. The highlighted row brings the most days off per day of leave.
| Dates | Result | Leave on | Bank holidays | School holidays | Plan a trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jan 1 to Sun, Jan 4 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Fri, Jan 2 | 元日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Jan 10 to Sun, Jan 18 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Jan 13 · Wed, Jan 14 · Thu, Jan 15 · Fri, Jan 16 | 成人の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Feb 7 to Wed, Feb 11 | 5 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 2.5 days off per day of leave | Mon, Feb 9 · Tue, Feb 10 | 建国記念の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Feb 21 to Sun, Mar 1 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Feb 24 · Wed, Feb 25 · Thu, Feb 26 · Fri, Feb 27 | 天皇誕生日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Mar 14 to Sun, Mar 22 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Mon, Mar 16 · Tue, Mar 17 · Wed, Mar 18 · Thu, Mar 19 | 春分の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Apr 25 to Wed, Apr 29 | 5 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 2.5 days off per day of leave | Mon, Apr 27 · Tue, Apr 28 | 昭和の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, May 2 to Sun, May 10 | 9 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 4.5 days off per day of leave | Thu, May 7 · Fri, May 8 | みどりの日, こどもの日, 憲法記念日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Jul 18 to Sun, Jul 26 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Jul 21 · Wed, Jul 22 · Thu, Jul 23 · Fri, Jul 24 | 海の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Aug 8 to Tue, Aug 11 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Mon, Aug 10 | 山の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Sep 19 to Sun, Sep 27 | 9 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 4.5 days off per day of leave | Thu, Sep 24 · Fri, Sep 25 | 敬老の日, 国民の休日, 秋分の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Oct 10 to Sun, Oct 18 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Oct 13 · Wed, Oct 14 · Thu, Oct 15 · Fri, Oct 16 | スポーツの日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Oct 31 to Tue, Nov 3 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Mon, Nov 2 | 文化の日 | none | Plan a trip |
What 1 to 10 days of leave bring
For each budget, the longest run of days off in 2026.
1 day of annual leave
4 days
January 1 to January 4
元日
2 days of annual leave
9 days
May 2 to May 10
みどりの日, こどもの日, 憲法記念日
4 days of annual leave
12 days
April 25 to May 6
昭和の日, みどりの日, こどもの日, 憲法記念日
6 days of annual leave
16 days
April 25 to May 10
昭和の日, みどりの日, こどもの日, 憲法記念日
9 days of annual leave
19 days
April 18 to May 6
昭和の日, みどりの日, こどもの日, 憲法記念日
2026 calendar for Japan
- Bank holiday
- Annual leave in a break
- Weekend
- School holidays
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
How far each day of leave goes in 2026
With 1 day of leave the longest run you can build is 4 days, 1 to 4 January. Three days stretch to 9 days off (2 to 10 May). Five days, a typical week, become 12 days off around 昭和の日, みどりの日, こどもの日 and 憲法記念日, 25 April to 6 May.
Ten days, the most this planner books in one go, give 19 days in a row, 18 April to 6 May. For nine days or more away you need 2 days of leave.
2026 through the seasons
Winter: 元日 on January 1, 成人の日 on January 12, 建国記念の日 on February 11 and 天皇誕生日 on February 23. The pick of the season is 1 to 4 January with 1 day of leave for 4 days off.
Spring: 春分の日 on March 20, 昭和の日 on April 29, みどりの日 on May 4, こどもの日 on May 5 and 憲法記念日 on May 6. The pick of the season is 2 to 10 May with 2 days of leave for 9 days off.
Summer: 海の日 on July 20 and 山の日 on August 11. The pick of the season is 8 to 11 August with 1 day of leave for 4 days off.
Autumn: 敬老の日 on September 21, 国民の休日 on September 22, 秋分の日 on September 23, スポーツの日 on October 12, 文化の日 on November 3 and 勤労感謝の日 on November 23. The pick of the season is 19 to 27 September with 2 days of leave for 9 days off.
Japan next to the other countries
South Korea has the most with 18 public holidays in 2026, Mexico the fewest with 7. Japan sits in between with 17.
Mexico
South KoreaiPhoto: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsIts best break, 2 to 10 May, returns 4.5 days off per day of leave. 2 countries get a better ratio this year, mostly thanks to an extra public holiday next to a weekend.
MexicoSouth KoreaiPhoto: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Long Weekend Planner 2026 for Japan as a PDF
Every stretch, holiday and school break in JP on one printable page. Plus The Sunday Getaway every week and a note whenever a long weekend is worth it.
Public holidays 2026 in Japan
| Date | Weekday | Bank holiday | Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | 元日 | nationwide |
| January 12 | Monday | 成人の日 | nationwide |
| February 11 | Wednesday | 建国記念の日 | nationwide |
| February 23 | Monday | 天皇誕生日 | nationwide |
| March 20 | Friday | 春分の日 | nationwide |
| April 29 | Wednesday | 昭和の日 | nationwide |
| May 4 | Monday | みどりの日 | nationwide |
| May 5 | Tuesday | こどもの日 | nationwide |
| May 6 | Wednesday | 憲法記念日 | nationwide |
| July 20 | Monday | 海の日 | nationwide |
| August 11 | Tuesday | 山の日 | nationwide |
| September 21 | Monday | 敬老の日 | nationwide |
| September 22 | Tuesday | 国民の休日 | nationwide |
| September 23 | Wednesday | 秋分の日 | nationwide |
| October 12 | Monday | スポーツの日 | nationwide |
| November 3 | Tuesday | 文化の日 | nationwide |
| November 23 | Monday | 勤労感謝の日 | nationwide |
Long weekend ideas from Japan
Long weekends in Japan suit Kyoto's temples in autumn and spring, the hot springs of Hakone and Kusatsu in winter, and the beaches of Okinawa in summer. Hokkaido offers skiing in winter and flower fields in summer.
Your strongest breaks this year fall in January, February and May, so pick the trip that suits that season, and book early: everyone else in Japan has the same days off.
Japan in other years
2027 and 2028 are planned as well, each with its own dates and breaks.
Holiday dates move every year: fixed-date days change their weekday, and Easter moves between late March and late April, which is why the best breaks are never the same twice.
Where these dates come from
Every date on this page comes from the official source for Japan, read directly and compared day by day with an independent second source. A year appears once its official list is published, and we never fill a gap with another country's dates.
The planner treats weekends and full public holidays as free days and works out where your days of leave turn into the longest time off. Days kept in part of Japan or as observances are shown but never counted. Last checked on October 1, 2026.
Long Weekend Planner 2026 in JP: frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Japan have in 2026?
17 public holidays: 元日 on January 1, 成人の日 on January 12, 建国記念の日 on February 11, 天皇誕生日 on February 23, 春分の日 on March 20, 昭和の日 on April 29, みどりの日 on May 4, こどもの日 on May 5, 憲法記念日 on May 6, 海の日 on July 20, 山の日 on August 11, 敬老の日 on September 21, 国民の休日 on September 22, 秋分の日 on September 23, スポーツの日 on October 12, 文化の日 on November 3 and 勤労感謝の日 on November 23.
What is the best long weekend in Japan in 2026?
2 to 10 May: 2 days of leave give 9 days off around みどりの日, こどもの日 and 憲法記念日.
How many days of leave do I need for nine days off in 2026?
2 days of leave: take May 7 and May 8 off and you are off 2 to 10 May.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Japan in 2026?
No. Good Friday is not on Japan's official list for 2026, so it is a regular workday unless your employer gives it.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Japan in 2026?
No. Christmas Eve is not on Japan's official list for 2026, so it is a regular workday unless your employer gives it.
2026 in the other countries
How the Long Weekend Planner works
Holidays: the public holidays from the official list in JP, checked date by date. The planner counts only days off for the whole region.
Stretches: start and end on a day off, include at least one holiday and at most 10 days of annual leave. Ranked by days off per day of leave; Saturday and Sunday count as free.
School holidays: officially published dates only, checked every month. Trip ideas: the month's climate and flights from the region's main airport.
