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Before you plan your travel, study abroad or homestay in Japan, you should first identify the dates of the national holidays in 2019. Knowing how to spend national holidays which celebrate Japanese culture like New Year’s Day, Golden Week and other traditional events is the first step to understanding foreign cultures for people who are visiting Japan from overseas for the first time. Let’s go ahead and check the dates of Japan’s national holidays, as they influence the prices of flight tickets and accommodation.
1/1 New Year’s Day（元旦／Gantan）
New Year’s Day, for Japanese people, is a special period that celebrates the start of a new year. Since New Year’s Day is a particularly important day, schools and almost all businesses are closed, and people celebrate the New Year together with their family and close friends. It is similar to how Westerners spend the Christmas season and how other East-Asians spend the Lunar New Year.
Many people who spend New Year’s Day with family eat a traditional food called “osechi ryouri”.
Over the course of the New Year’s season (January 1st~7th), people visit Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples and this is known as “hatsu moude”. There is a Japanese tradition to pray for the following year’s happiness and health at a shrine or temple visit. Many people travel great lengths to visit the famous and large Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, buying charms and enjoying the festive feel of the food stalls. Additionally, retailers such as department stores hold a sale called “hatsu uri” on the 2nd of January. The streets are packed with shoppers on that day.
“Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu” (Happy New Year) is the New Year’s greeting that you can use with your family and friends, colleagues, teachers – literally anyone. It is important to note that banks and other public institutions are closed until the 3rd of January, and that there are many regions where schools don’t resume until the 8th of January.
１4/1 Coming of Age Day（成人の日／Seijin no hi）
In Japan, you are officially recognised as an adult on your 20th birthday, and it becomes OK to drink alcohol and smoke. The second Monday of every January is a national holiday that celebrates the coming of age of everyone who turns 20 in that particular year. Ceremonies of celebration are held all over Japan. Unfortunately, usually only the person who is turning 20 and their family are able to participate in the ceremony.
11/2 National Foundation Day（建国記念日／Kenkoku kinen bi）
National Foundation Day is a national holiday which celebrates the day that Japan was founded. In accordance with the legend known as “Nihon-shoki (the oldest chronicles of Japan)”, it is believed that the 11th of February equates to the 1st of January in Japan’s old lunisolar calendar which was used in 660 BC, when the first emperor was enthroned.
21/3 Spring Equinox（春分の日／Shun bun no hi）
This is the day when the cold winter draws to a close and the duration of day and night is the same. The calendar date of the Spring Equinox changes every year, but it usually falls on the 20th or 21st of March. In Tokyo, this is the period where the beautiful cherry blossoms begin to bloom, but depending on the year, there may still be snowfall. March is the graduation season for all students, from elementary school to university.
29/4 Shōwa Day（昭和の日／Shōwa no hi）
This is the birthday of the Emperor of the Shōwa era (1926~1989). In Japan, this day marks the beginning of Golden Week, the longest consecutive holiday in the year which continues until around the 5th of May. If you include weekends, this consecutive holiday becomes even longer, and in 2019 it is a 10-day holiday. Golden Week is when a lot of people travel, so you should get your plane or bullet train tickets and book your accommodation as soon as possible.
30/4 Coronation Day holiday
The 30th of April is a day that is unique to the Heisei era whereby the current emperor will be abdicated. This day is a national holiday only in 2019; it is not usually a national holiday. This year is a special year in which the Heisei era comes to an end.
１/5 Coronation Day（天皇即位の日／Ten-nou sokui no hi）
This day is also a national holiday which will only take place in 2019. The Emperor of the Heisei era will be abdicated, and his son, the new Emperor, will be enthroned in his place.
２/5 Coronation Day holiday
In accordance with the Japanese law which states that “the day that lies between two other national holidays will also become a national holiday,” the 2nd of May is also a national holiday which will only take place in 2019.
３/5 Constitution Memorial Day（憲法記念日／Kenpou kinen bi）
This day commemorates the day that Japan’s Constitution was implemented on the 3rd of May, 1947. It has become a national holiday.
4/5 Greenery Day（みどりの日／Midori no hi）
This is a national holiday which was established as a day for people to appreciate nature. In Japan, May is the season of new growth before the rainy season, so Greenery Day is held during the perfect period for leisurely activities in nature.
5/5 Children’s Day（こどもの日／Kodomo no hi）
This is a day where people pray for the healthy growth of children. Originally, the 5th of May was known as “tango no sekku”, a day where people prayed for the happiness and health of boys. This traditional concept has evolved to now include all children regardless of gender. However, there are still families which uphold the traditional customs of decorating their homes with carp streamers and a set of samurai armour and helmet, which are representative items for boys. Please note that there is a celebration of girls on the 3rd of March, “Hina Matsuri”, but it is not a national holiday.
6/5 Compensatory national holiday
Due to the fact that Children’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, the compensatory national holiday has been shifted to the following Monday. This is the last day of 2019’s long Golden Week.
15/7 Sea Day（海の日／Umi no hi）
In Japan, which is blessed with a beautiful scenic coastline and marine resources, the third Monday of every July is a national holiday where people are grateful towards the abundance provided by the sea.
11/8 Mountain Day（山の日／Yama no hi）
Each year, the 11th of August is a day where people give thanks and are appreciative for the blessings provided by mountains.
During the period around the 15th of August, which is known as “Obon”, there is an increase in the number of people who return to their hometown for the sake of visiting the graves of their ancestors. Consequently, both public transport and freeways will be congested.
16/9 Respect for the Aged Day（敬老の日／Keirou no hi）
The third Monday of every September is a national holiday where people express their respect and affection for the elderly population and pray for their longevity. People show their gratitude by spending time with their grandparents and sending gifts like flowers to the elders that they are close to.
23/9 Autumn Equinox（秋分の日／Shuubun no hi）
This is a national holiday in autumn whereby the duration of the day and night is the same. Since the olden days, it has been said that this day is the boundary for the lingering summer heat to cease, and for incoming days to become more bearable.
14/10 Health and Sports Day（体育の日／Taiiku no hi）
The second Monday of October is Health and Sports Day. During this period of comfortable weather, schools hold their athletics carnivals and people enjoy playing sports.
22/10 Enthronement Ceremony Day
This is a national holiday limited to 2019 occurring in accordance with the end of the Heisei era and the start of the new era. On this day, the Enthronement Ceremony for the new Emperor is held. This ceremony is similar to the coronations which occur in various foreign countries.
3/11 Culture Day（文化の日／Bunka no hi）
This day is the birthday of the Emperor of the Meiji Era. It is a national holiday where people appreciate the arts and sports.
4/11 Compensatory national holiday
Due to the fact that Culture Day falls on a Sunday this year, the compensatory national holiday has been shifted to the following Monday.
23/11 Labor Thanksgiving Day（勤労感謝の日／Kinrou kansha no hi）
This is a national holiday similar to the “Labour day” of various Western countries. Originally it was a day where people express their gratitude towards the harvest of the agricultural industry, but nowadays it has become a day where people give praise to manual labour, production and manufacturing.