Before or after you plan your travel to Japan, it’s worthwhile to check if there are any public holidays during your stay in Japan, not only because some museums, shops and other facilities are closed on public holidays but also because Japanese people will be traveling and be visiting popular places on those holidays as well.

Shinkansen, flights, and accommodations may be booked out very early for those holidays if you don’t plan ahead. The prices could go up unless you book early. The public holidays in 2018 in Japan are as below.

DateDays of the WeekHoliday
January 1stMondayNew Year’s Day
January 8thMondayComing of Age Day
February 11thSundayNational Foundation Day
February 12thMondayNational Foundation Day (Substitute holiday)
March 21stWednesdaySpring Equinox
April 29thSundayShowa Day
April 30thMondayShowa Day (Substitute holiday)
May 3rdThursdayConstitution Memorial Day
May 4thFridayGreenery Day
May 5thSaturdayChildren’s Day
July 16thMondayMarine Day
August 11thSaturdayMountain Day
September 17thMondayRespect for the Elderly Day
September 23rdSundayAutumn Equinox
September 24thMondayAutumn Equinox (Substitute holiday)
October 8thMondaySports Day
November 3rdSaturdayCulture Day
November 23rdFridayLabor Thanksgiving Day
December 23rdSundayEmperor’s Birthday
December 24thMondayEmperor’s Birthday (Substitute holiday)

 

Tips:

1. Year-End and New Year Holiday

CDJapan Rental has a great deal on pocket wifi, with a range of flexible plans starting at ¥187/day.
Japan Pocket Wifi Rental
UNLIMTED DATA SIM CARD
Japan Travel Prepaid SIM card

Although December 31st, January 2nd, and January 3rd are not mentioned in the list above, they are also a part of Year-End and New Year Holiday.

2. What is “Substitute holiday” in Japan?

When a public holiday happens to be a Sunday in Japan,  the next Monday will become a public holiday, which is “Substitute holiday”.

When do Japanese people travel?
It may be helpful to know the three periods that are the busiest travel seasons in Japan. Shinkansen, air flights, and accommodations are booked out early and the prices could go up if you don’t book early for those periods.

1. New Year
Most companies close business from December 30 until January 3. 

2. Golden Week
Four public holidays; Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day are placed within 7 days. Some people use paid leave to combine those holidays and weekend and make it a long holiday week. 

3. Obon Week
Obon is a Japanese Buddhist event to honor ancestors and is observed from August 13 until 15 or 16 (in some regions July 13-15 or 16). Many Japanese people go back to their family places during this period. Some companies close down for the Obon week.

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

 

(Visited 429 times, 1 visits today)
CDJapan Rental has a great deal on pocket wifi, with a range of flexible plans starting at ¥187/day.
Japan Pocket Wifi Rental
UNLIMTED DATA SIM CARD
Japan Travel Prepaid SIM card