9 days off for 2 days of leave
Long weekends 2028 in Japan
Japan has 16 public holidays in 2028, and 14 of them land on a weekday. Book 2 days of leave for 29 April to 7 May and you are off for 9 days straight.
- Bank holidays 2028
- 16
- on weekdays
- 14
- bridge days
- 1
- off for 2 days of annual leave
- 9 days
The 2028 calendar in Japan
Japan has 16 public holidays in 2028, taken from the official government list. 2 fall 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 14 countries we cover outside our main markets, Japan ranks number 2 for full days off this year.
Every public holiday in Japan in 2028
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- Saturday, 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. It falls on a Saturday, and Japan's list has no weekday in lieu for it in 2028.
- Monday, January 10: 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, 8 to 10 January, with no leave needed.
- Friday, 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. You get 3 free days in a row, 11 to 13 February, with no leave needed.
- Wednesday, 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 21 and Tuesday, February 22 off and you have 5 days in a row, 19 to 23 February.
- Monday, 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, 18 to 20 March, with no leave needed.
- Saturday, 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. It falls on a Saturday, and Japan's list has no weekday in lieu for it in 2028.
- Wednesday, 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. You get 5 free days in a row, 3 to 7 May, with no leave needed.
- Thursday, 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. That makes 5 days off in a row without using any leave, 3 to 7 May.
- Friday, 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. You get 5 free days in a row, 3 to 7 May, with no leave needed.
- Monday, July 17: 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, 15 to 17 July, with no leave needed.
- Friday, 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. You get 3 free days in a row, 11 to 13 August, with no leave needed.
- Monday, September 18: 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 3 free days in a row, 16 to 18 September, with no leave needed.
- Friday, September 22: 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 3 free days in a row, 22 to 24 September, with no leave needed.
- Monday, October 9: 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, 7 to 9 October, with no leave needed.
- Friday, 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. You get 3 free days in a row, 3 to 5 November, with no leave needed.
- Thursday, 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 Friday, November 24 off and you have 4 days in a row, 23 to 26 November.
TokyoKyotoiPhoto: Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons2028'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.
Around 成人の日, 4 days of leave on Tue January 11, Wed January 12, Thu January 13 and Fri January 14 unlock 9 days away, 8 to 16 January.
Around 建国記念の日, 4 days of leave on Mon February 7, Tue February 8, Wed February 9 and Thu February 10 unlock 9 days away, 5 to 13 February.
Around 天皇誕生日, 2 days of leave on Mon February 21 and Tue February 22 unlock 5 days away, 19 to 23 February.
Around 昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日 and こどもの日, 2 days of leave on Mon May 1 and Tue May 2 unlock 9 days away, 29 April to 7 May.
Around 敬老の日 and 秋分の日, 3 days of leave on Tue September 19, Wed September 20 and Thu September 21 unlock 9 days away, 16 to 24 September.
23 to 26 November: 1 day of leave (November 24) around 勤労感謝の日 gives 4 days off, 4.0 days for every day used.
The best breaks 2028 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 25 to Sun, Jan 2 | 9 days offfor 5 days of annual leave, 1.8 days off per day of leave | Mon, Dec 27 · Tue, Dec 28 · Wed, Dec 29 · Thu, Dec 30 · Fri, Dec 31 | 元日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Jan 8 to Sun, Jan 16 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Jan 11 · Wed, Jan 12 · Thu, Jan 13 · Fri, Jan 14 | 成人の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Feb 5 to Sun, Feb 13 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Mon, Feb 7 · Tue, Feb 8 · Wed, Feb 9 · Thu, Feb 10 | 建国記念の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Feb 19 to Wed, Feb 23 | 5 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 2.5 days off per day of leave | Mon, Feb 21 · Tue, Feb 22 | 天皇誕生日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Mar 18 to Sun, Mar 26 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Mar 21 · Wed, Mar 22 · Thu, Mar 23 · Fri, Mar 24 | 春分の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Apr 29 to Sun, May 7 | 9 days offfor 2 days of annual leave, 4.5 days off per day of leave | Mon, May 1 · Tue, May 2 | 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 15 to Sun, Jul 23 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Jul 18 · Wed, Jul 19 · Thu, Jul 20 · Fri, Jul 21 | 海の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Aug 5 to Sun, Aug 13 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Mon, Aug 7 · Tue, Aug 8 · Wed, Aug 9 · Thu, Aug 10 | 山の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Sep 16 to Sun, Sep 24 | 9 days offfor 3 days of annual leave, 3 days off per day of leave | Tue, Sep 19 · Wed, Sep 20 · Thu, Sep 21 | 敬老の日, 秋分の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Oct 7 to Sun, Oct 15 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Tue, Oct 10 · Wed, Oct 11 · Thu, Oct 12 · Fri, Oct 13 | スポーツの日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Sat, Oct 28 to Sun, Nov 5 | 9 days offfor 4 days of annual leave, 2.25 days off per day of leave | Mon, Oct 30 · Tue, Oct 31 · Wed, Nov 1 · Thu, Nov 2 | 文化の日 | none | Plan a trip |
| Thu, Nov 23 to Sun, Nov 26 | 4 days offfor 1 day of annual leave, 4 days off per day of leave | Fri, Nov 24 | 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 2028.
1 day of annual leave
4 days
November 23 to November 26
勤労感謝の日
2 days of annual leave
9 days
April 29 to May 7
昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
5 days of annual leave
12 days
May 3 to May 14
憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
7 days of annual leave
16 days
April 22 to May 7
昭和の日, 憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
10 days of annual leave
19 days
May 3 to May 21
憲法記念日, みどりの日, こどもの日
2028 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
What 1 to 10 days of leave get you
With 1 day of leave the longest run you can build is 4 days, 23 to 26 November. Three days stretch to 9 days off (29 April to 7 May). Five days, a typical week, become 12 days off around 憲法記念日, みどりの日 and こどもの日, 3 to 14 May.
Ten days, the most this planner books in one go, give 19 days in a row, 3 to 21 May. For nine days or more away you need 2 days of leave.
2028 through the seasons
Winter: 元日 on January 1, 成人の日 on January 10, 建国記念の日 on February 11 and 天皇誕生日 on February 23. The pick of the season is 19 to 23 February with 2 days of leave for 5 days off.
Spring: 春分の日 on March 20, 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 7 May with 2 days of leave for 9 days off.
Summer: 海の日 on July 17 and 山の日 on August 11. The pick of the season is 15 to 23 July with 4 days of leave for 9 days off.
Autumn: 敬老の日 on September 18, 秋分の日 on September 22, スポーツの日 on October 9, 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 November with 1 day of leave for 4 days off.
Japan compared with other countries
South Korea has the most with 19 public holidays in 2028, Mexico the fewest with 6. Japan sits in between with 16.
Mexico
South KoreaiPhoto: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsIts best break, 29 April to 7 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 2028 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 2028 in Japan
| Date | Weekday | Bank holiday | Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Saturday | 元日 | nationwide |
| January 10 | Monday | 成人の日 | nationwide |
| February 11 | Friday | 建国記念の日 | nationwide |
| February 23 | Wednesday | 天皇誕生日 | nationwide |
| March 20 | Monday | 春分の日 | nationwide |
| April 29 | Saturday | 昭和の日 | nationwide |
| May 3 | Wednesday | 憲法記念日 | nationwide |
| May 4 | Thursday | みどりの日 | nationwide |
| May 5 | Friday | こどもの日 | nationwide |
| July 17 | Monday | 海の日 | nationwide |
| August 11 | Friday | 山の日 | nationwide |
| September 18 | Monday | 敬老の日 | nationwide |
| September 22 | Friday | 秋分の日 | nationwide |
| October 9 | Monday | スポーツの日 | nationwide |
| November 3 | Friday | 文化の日 | nationwide |
| November 23 | Thursday | 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 April, 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 2027 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 2028 in JP: frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Japan have in 2028?
16 public holidays: 元日 on January 1, 成人の日 on January 10, 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, 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 17, 山の日 on August 11, 敬老の日 on September 18, 秋分の日 on September 22, スポーツの日 on October 9, 文化の日 on November 3 and 勤労感謝の日 on November 23. 14 fall on a weekday.
What is the best long weekend in Japan in 2028?
29 April to 7 May: 2 days of leave give 9 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 2028?
2 days of leave: take May 1 and May 2 off and you are off 29 April to 7 May.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Japan in 2028?
No. Good Friday is not on Japan's official list for 2028, so it is a regular workday unless your employer gives it.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Japan in 2028?
No. Christmas Eve is not on Japan's official list for 2028, so it is a regular workday unless your employer gives it.
2028 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.
