7 days off for 1 day of leave
Long weekends 2027 in Japan
Japan has 17 public holidays in 2027, and 16 of them land on a weekday. Your best deal is 29 April to 5 May: 1 day of leave turns into 7 days off in a row. The longest break with up to 10 days of leave: 9 days, 26 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, for 4 days of leave.
- Bank holidays 2027
- 17
- on weekdays
- 16
- bridge days
- 5
- off for 4 days of annual leave
- 9 days
Japan in 2027 at a glance
Japan has 17 public holidays in 2027, taken from the official government list. 1 falls on a weekend.
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.
All public holidays 2027 in Japan, one by one
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- Friday, 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. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, 1 to 3 January.
- Monday, January 11: 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. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, 9 to 11 January.
- Thursday, 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 Friday, February 12 off and you have 4 days in a row, 11 to 14 February.
- Tuesday, 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. Take Monday, February 22 off and you have 4 days in a row, 20 to 23 February.
- Sunday, March 21: 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. It falls on a Sunday, so Japan adds 振替休日 on Monday, March 22 instead.
- Monday, March 22: 振替休日. A substitute holiday: when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the next weekday is a day off, so the long weekend still happens. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, 20 to 22 March.
- Thursday, 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 Friday, April 30 off and you have 7 days in a row, 29 April to 5 May.
- Monday, May 3: 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. That makes 5 days off in a row without using any leave, 1 to 5 May.
- Tuesday, 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, 1 to 5 May, with no leave needed.
- Wednesday, 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, 1 to 5 May.
- Monday, July 19: 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. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, 17 to 19 July.
- Wednesday, 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 9 and Tuesday, August 10 off and you have 5 days in a row, 7 to 11 August.
- Monday, September 20: 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. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, 18 to 20 September.
- Thursday, 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. Take Friday, September 24 off and you have 4 days in a row, 23 to 26 September.
- Monday, October 11: 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. That makes 3 days off in a row without using any leave, 9 to 11 October.
- Wednesday, 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 1 and Tuesday, November 2 off and you have 5 days in a row, 30 October to 3 November.
- Tuesday, 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. Take Monday, November 22 off and you have 4 days in a row, 20 to 23 November.
TokyoKyotoiPhoto: Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThe best breaks in 2027, explained
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.
Around 建国記念の日, 1 day of leave on Fri February 12 unlocks 4 days away, 11 to 14 February.
Around 天皇誕生日, 1 day of leave on Mon February 22 unlocks 4 days away, 20 to 23 February.
29 April to 5 May: 1 day of leave (April 30) around 昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日 and こどもの日 gives 7 days off, 7.0 days for every day used.
7 to 11 August: 2 days of leave (August 9 and August 10) around 山の日 give 5 days off, 2.5 days for every day used.
Around 秋分の日, 1 day of leave on Fri September 24 unlocks 4 days away, 23 to 26 September.
Around 勤労感謝の日, 1 day of leave on Mon November 22 unlocks 4 days away, 20 to 23 November.
The best breaks 2027 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 26 to Sun, Jan 3 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Mon, Dec 28 · Tue, Dec 29 · Wed, Dec 30 · Thu, Dec 31 | 元日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Jan 9 to Sun, Jan 17 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Jan 12 · Wed, Jan 13 · Thu, Jan 14 · Fri, Jan 15 | 成人の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Thu, Feb 11 to Sun, Feb 14 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Fri, Feb 12 | 建国記念の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Feb 20 to Tue, Feb 23 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Mon, Feb 22 | 天皇誕生日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Mar 20 to Sun, Mar 28 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Mar 23 · Wed, Mar 24 · Thu, Mar 25 · Fri, Mar 26 | 春分の日, 振替休日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Thu, Apr 29 to Wed, May 5 | 7 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 7 days off per day of leave | Fri, Apr 30 | 昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Jul 17 to Sun, Jul 25 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Jul 20 · Wed, Jul 21 · Thu, Jul 22 · Fri, Jul 23 | 海の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Aug 7 to Wed, Aug 11 | 5 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 2.5 days off per day of leave | Mon, Aug 9 · Tue, Aug 10 | 山の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Thu, Sep 23 to Sun, Sep 26 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Fri, Sep 24 | 秋分の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Oct 9 to Sun, Oct 17 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Oct 12 · Wed, Oct 13 · Thu, Oct 14 · Fri, Oct 15 | スポーツの日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Oct 30 to Wed, Nov 3 | 5 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 2.5 days off per day of leave | Mon, Nov 1 · Tue, Nov 2 | 文化の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Nov 20 to Tue, Nov 23 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Mon, Nov 22 | 勤労感謝の日 | none | Plan a trip |
What 1 to 10 days of leave bring
For each budget, the longest run of days off in 2027.
1 day of annual leave
7 days
April 29 to May 5
昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
2 days of annual leave
9 days
May 1 to May 9
憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
3 days of annual leave
11 days
April 29 to May 9
昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
4 days of annual leave
12 days
April 24 to May 5
昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
8 days of annual leave
18 days
April 29 to May 16
昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
9 days of annual leave
19 days
April 17 to May 5
昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
2027 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
The maths: days of leave in, days off out
With 1 day of leave the longest run you can build is 7 days, 29 April to 5 May. Three days stretch to 11 days off (29 April to 9 May). Five days, a typical week, become 12 days off around 昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日 and こどもの日, 24 April to 5 May.
Ten days, the most this planner books in one go, give 19 days in a row, 17 April to 5 May. For nine days or more away you need 2 days of leave.
Season by season in Japan
Winter: 元日 on January 1, 成人の日 on January 11, 建国記念の日 on February 11 and 天皇誕生日 on February 23. The pick of the season is 11 to 14 February with 1 day of leave for 4 days off.
Spring: 春分の日 on March 21, 振替休日 on March 22, 昭和の日 on April 29, 憲法記念日 on May 3, みどりの日 on May 4 and こどもの日 on May 5. The pick of the season is 29 April to 5 May with 1 day of leave for 7 days off.
Summer: 海の日 on July 19 and 山の日 on August 11. The pick of the season is 7 to 11 August with 2 days of leave for 5 days off.
Autumn: 敬老の日 on September 20, 秋分の日 on September 23, スポーツの日 on October 11, 文化の日 on November 3 and 勤労感謝の日 on November 23. The pick of the season is 23 to 26 September with 1 day of leave for 4 days off.
How Japan stacks up
South Korea has the most with 18 public holidays in 2027, Mexico the fewest with 6. Japan sits in between with 17.
Mexico
South KoreaiPhoto: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsIts best break, 29 April to 5 May, returns 7.0 days off per day of leave. No other country in our data does better this year.
MexicoSouth KoreaiPhoto: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Long Weekend Planner 2027 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 2027 in Japan
| Date | Weekday | Bank holiday | Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Friday | 元日 | nationwide |
| January 11 | Monday | 成人の日 | nationwide |
| February 11 | Thursday | 建国記念の日 | nationwide |
| February 23 | Tuesday | 天皇誕生日 | nationwide |
| March 21 | Sunday | 春分の日 | nationwide |
| March 22 | Monday | 振替休日 | nationwide |
| April 29 | Thursday | 昭和の日 | nationwide |
| May 3 | Monday | 憲法記念日 | nationwide |
| May 4 | Tuesday | みどりの日 | nationwide |
| May 5 | Wednesday | こどもの日 | nationwide |
| July 19 | Monday | 海の日 | nationwide |
| August 11 | Wednesday | 山の日 | nationwide |
| September 20 | Monday | 敬老の日 | nationwide |
| September 23 | Thursday | 秋分の日 | nationwide |
| October 11 | Monday | スポーツの日 | nationwide |
| November 3 | Wednesday | 文化の日 | nationwide |
| November 23 | Tuesday | 勤労感謝の日 | nationwide |
Where to go on a long weekend 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 February, April and August, so pick the trip that suits that season, and book early: everyone else in Japan has the same days off.
Japan in other years
2026 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 2027 in JP: frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Japan have in 2027?
17 public holidays: 元日 on January 1, 成人の日 on January 11, 建国記念の日 on February 11, 天皇誕生日 on February 23, 春分の日 on March 21, 振替休日 on March 22, 昭和の日 on April 29, 憲法記念日 on May 3, みどりの日 on May 4, こどもの日 on May 5, 海の日 on July 19, 山の日 on August 11, 敬老の日 on September 20, 秋分の日 on September 23, スポーツの日 on October 11, 文化の日 on November 3 and 勤労感謝の日 on November 23. 16 fall on a weekday.
What is the best long weekend in Japan in 2027?
29 April to 5 May: 1 day of leave gives 7 days off around 昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日 and こどもの日.
How many days of leave do I need for nine days off in 2027?
2 days of leave: take May 6 and May 7 off and you are off 1 to 9 May.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Japan in 2027?
No. Good Friday is not on Japan's official list for 2027, so it is a regular workday unless your employer gives it.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Japan in 2027?
No. Christmas Eve is not on Japan's official list for 2027, so it is a regular workday unless your employer gives it.
2027 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.
