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Japan Public Holiday 2026: Complete Calendar, Golden Week, Festivals & Travel Guides

Your ultimate guide to holidays, school breaks, festivals, best‑time‑to‑visit tips and city‑by‑city itineraries for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido.

Traveloka Team

8 min read

Japan’s public‑holiday calendar shapes everything from school schedules to the opening hours of banks, museums, and transport services. Whether you are a local looking to book a summer holiday in Japan, a family planning a winter break in Hokkaido, or an overseas traveler eager to experience Christmas in Tokyo, knowing the exact dates of the japan holidays 2026 will save you money, avoid crowds, and let you make the most of each long weekend.

In this guide you will find:

A full list of japan public holiday dates for 2026 (including the famous japan golden week).

Descriptions of the major japan festivals that fall on those holidays.

The best time to visit each region, with a focus on japan school holidays and other important dates.

Practical tips on how to maximise your trip, from transport planning to dealing with road closures.

Sample Japan itineraries for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido/Sapporo.

Ready to turn the 2026 holiday calendar into a travel plan? Let’s dive in.

Japan Public Holiday 2026 – Full Calendar

Date (2026)	Day	Holiday (English)	Holiday (Japanese)	Type
1 Jan	Thu	New Year’s Day	元日 (Ganjitsu)	japan public holiday / bank holiday japan
11 Feb	Wed	Japan Chinese New Year (regional)	春節 (Shunsetsu)	japan chinese new year
20 Mar	Fri	Vernal Equinox Day	春分の日 (Shunbun)	japan holidays 2026
29 Apr – 5 May	Wed – Wed	Golden Week (Shōwa Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day, Children’s Day)	ゴールデンウィーク	japan golden week, japan’s golden week
15 Aug	Sat	Obon (mid‑summer Buddhist festival)	お盆 (Obon)	japan obon holiday, obon japan, bon holiday japan
23 Dec – 31 Dec	Wed – Thu	Year‑End & New Year	年末年始	christmas in tokyo, christmas day in tokyo, tokyo xmas
(Other statutory holidays – see table below)
23 Apr	Thu	Showa Day	昭和の日 (Shōwa‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday
3 May	Sun	Constitution Day	憲法記念日 (Kenpō‑kinenbi)	japan national holiday
4 May	Mon	Greenery Day	みどりの日 (Midori‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday
5 May	Tue	Children’s Day	子どもの日 (Kodomo‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday
17 Jul	Fri	Marine Day	海の日 (Umi‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday
11 Sep	Fri	Respect for the Aged Day	敬老の日 (Keirō‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday
23 Sep	Wed	Autumn Equinox Day	秋分の日 (Shūbun)	japan national holiday
23 Oct	Fri	Health & Sports Day	体育の日 (Taiiku‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday
3 Nov	Tue	Culture Day	文化の日 (Bunka‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday
23 Nov	Mon	Labour Thanksgiving Day	勤労感謝の日 (Kinrō‑kansha‑no‑hi)	japan national holiday

How to read the table: The bolded rows are the most travel‑relevant holidays (Golden Week, Obon, New Year). The remaining dates are standard bank holiday japan days when banks, post offices and most government offices are closed.

Japan Festivals (2026)

Festival	Typical Dates (2026)	What to Expect	Travel Tip
New Year (Shogatsu)	1 Jan – 3 Jan	First shrine visits (初詣), special TV programs, festive food (おせち)	Book Tokyo hotels early – prices rise 30‑40 % after the holiday.
Golden Week	29 Apr – 5 May	Four consecutive national holidays, massive domestic travel, fireworks, flower festivals	Use walking trips japan in rural towns (e.g., Nikko) to avoid city crowds.
Obon	13 Aug – 15 Aug (regional)	Lanterns, ancestral rites, bon‑odori dances, fireworks over rivers	Rural areas (Kumano, Izu) are quieter – perfect for bon holidays japan.
Sapporo Snow Festival	3 Feb – 12 Feb	Giant snow & ice sculptures, night illuminations	Combine with a hokkaido winter holiday ski trip for the best value.
Cherry‑Blossom (Sakura) Season	Late March – early April (varies by region)	Hanami picnics in parks, night‑time lanterned trees	Plan a walking trip japan in Ueno or Maruyama for iconic views.
Halloween in Shibuya	31 Oct	Massive street party, costume parade, pop‑culture flash mobs	Expect huge crowds – stay in a Tokyo hotel near Shibuya to be close to the action.
Christmas in Tokyo	24 Dec – 26 Dec	Illuminations along Roppongi, Shibuya, Tokyo Tower; pop‑up Christmas markets	Ideal for a short tokyo xmas city break.

Best Time to Visit Japan

Season	Key Attractions	Holiday Overlap	Why It’s a Good Choice
Spring (Mar‑May)	Cherry‑blossom viewing, temple festivals, pleasant weather	japan holiday in may, holidays in japan may, holiday in japan may	Mild temperatures, iconic sakura, but Golden Week crowds – book early.
Summer (Jun‑Aug)	Beaches, festivals, fireworks, Obon celebrations	summer holiday in japan, japan obon holiday, obon japan	Hot and humid, but vibrant festivals; consider a hokkaido winter holiday‑style ski trip in early summer for cooler weather.
Autumn (Sep‑Nov)	Autumn foliage (koyo), harvest festivals, comfortable climate	holiday japan october, japan holiday in october, holidays to tokyo japan	Clear skies, lower humidity, perfect for walking trips japan and photography.
Winter (Dec‑Feb)	Ski resorts in Hokkaido, Christmas in tokyo, hot‑spring (onsen) baths	christmas in tokyo, christmas day in tokyo, japan winter break	Snow lovers can enjoy world‑class powder; city lights shine during the holiday season.

Travel tip: Align your trip with japan school holidays (spring, summer, winter) if you are traveling with children, but expect higher accommodation rates during those periods.

Japan School Holidays (2026)

Region	Spring Break	Summer Break	Winter Break
National (all prefectures)	Late March – early April (coincides with sakura)	Late July – end of August (covers Obon)	Mid‑December – early January (covers New Year)
Tokyo Metropolitan	27 Mar – 2 Apr	20 Jul – 31 Aug	15 Dec – 3 Jan
Osaka/Kansai	28 Mar – 3 Apr	21 Jul – 31 Aug	16 Dec – 4 Jan
Hokkaido	30 Mar – 5 Apr	22 Jul – 31 Aug	10 Dec – 28 Dec (Hokkaido winter holiday)

Why it matters: During the japan school holidays many families travel domestically, causing spikes in train and bus occupancy. If you prefer quieter travel, schedule your trips just before or just after these school breaks.

Other Important Dates in Japan 2026

Date	Event	Travel Implication
1 Mar – 31 Mar	National Sakura Forecast (official cherry‑blossom opening dates)	Use the forecast to plan walking trips japan in parks before crowds hit.
15 Jun – 30 Jun	Tsuyu – the rainy season	Expect occasional train delays; carry a compact umbrella.
1 Sep – 30 Sep	Typhoon Season (peak in August‑September)	Some flights and ferries may be cancelled; monitor road closures.
22 Oct	Health & Sports Day (national holiday)	Bank holiday japan – banks and many offices closed.
31 Oct	Halloween in Shibuya (massive street party)	Expect heavy foot traffic; book accommodation near Shibuya early.
23 Dec – 31 Dec	Year‑End & Christmas celebrations	Christmas in Tokyo lights, special menus, and high demand for hotels.

How to Make the Most of Japan’s Public Holidays

Book Early, Especially for Golden Week & Obon – Seats on the Shinkansen and hotels fill up 3‑4 months ahead. Use Traveloka’s train‑ticket and hotel‑search tools to lock in the best rates.

Travel Light & Use Luggage‑Forwarding – During japan golden week and japan obon holiday crowds, luggage lockers at major stations save you time and hassle.

Choose Alternate Routes – When the JR lines are packed, consider regional private railways or night buses; they are cheaper and often less crowded.

Take Advantage of “Before/After” Days – The day before a bank holiday japan or the day after a school break usually sees lower hotel prices and fewer tourists.

Plan for Road Closures – During winter in Hokkaido, expressways may close for snow removal. Check the Hokkaido Road Traffic Information Center before driving.

Mix Urban & Rural Experiences – Pair a Tokyo stay with a walking trip japan to nearby Nikko or Hakone to escape the Golden Week crowds.

Use a Travel Pass – The Japan Rail Pass (available on Traveloka) pays off if you travel across multiple regions during the holiday season.

Sample Japan Itineraries

1. Tokyo – 5‑Day Spring Itinerary (Cherry‑Blossom & Golden Week)

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Day 1	Arrive at Narita, transfer via Traveloka private‑transfer to Shinjuku hotel	Explore Shinjuku Gyoen (early‑season sakura)	Dinner in Omoide‑Yokocho
Day 2	Visit Meiji Shrine & Harajuku	Walk through Yoyogi Park – walking trips japan style	Shibuya Crossing lights, Christmas in Tokyo vibe if in December
Day 3	Day‑trip to Nikko (UNESCO site) – fewer crowds before Golden Week	Return to Tokyo, onsen experience in Odaiba	Night‑view of Tokyo Tower illumination
Day 4	Golden Week – early‑morning train to Kamakura (Buddha statue, beach)	Return, explore Asakusa & Senso‑ji	River‑front dinner on Sumida River
Day 5	Shopping in Ginza, last‑minute souvenirs	Depart from Haneda – Traveloka flight booking

2. Osaka & Kyoto – 4‑Day Summer Obon Itinerary

Day	Highlights
Day 1	Arrive Kansai, stay in Namba; street‑food tour (takoyaki, okonomiyaki).
Day 2	Osaka Castle, Obon lantern parade in Tennoji Park (mid‑August).
Day 3	Day‑trip to Kyoto via JR – Kinkaku‑ji, Fushimi Inari early to avoid obon japan crowds.
Day 4	Return to Osaka, depart from Kansai International – Traveloka flight.

3. Kyoto – 3‑Day Autumn Foliage (October)

Day 1: Arashiyama bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge – perfect for holiday japan october photography. Day 2: Philosopher’s Path walk – classic walking trips japan amid vibrant leaves. Day 3: Nijo Castle, tea ceremony, depart for next destination.

4. Hokkaido / Sapporo – 5‑Day Winter Adventure (Hokkaido Winter Holiday)

Day	Activities
Day 1	Fly to New Chitose, transfer to Sapporo hotel (use Traveloka private‑transfer).
Day 2	Sapporo Snow Festival – massive snow sculptures, night lights.
Day 3	Day‑trip to Otaru canal, glass‑ware workshops.
Day 4	Ski day at Niseko (world‑class powder) – book a Traveloka ski‑package.
Day 5	Relax in an onsen, depart from New Chitose.

Public Transportation & Services During Holidays

1. Rail

Shinkansen runs on a holiday timetable; some limited‑express services are reduced during Golden Week and Obon. Seat reservations are mandatory – use Traveloka’s train‑booking platform to secure a spot.

Local JR lines and private railways (e.g., Kintetsu, Keihan) keep regular schedules but are heavily crowded on japan national holiday days.

2. Metro & Buses

Tokyo Metro, Osaka Metro, Kyoto Subway operate normally, but peak‑hour crowds double during japan golden week and new year in japan.

City buses follow a bank holiday japan schedule – fewer night routes, so plan your return trips accordingly.

3. Airports

Narita, Haneda, Kansai, New Chitose see a surge in passenger volume during japan holidays 2026, especially Golden Week and Christmas. Arrive at least 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours for international.

4. Road & Car Rentals

Expressways in central Honshu may experience road closures for maintenance during the autumn low‑traffic period.

In Hokkaido, winter road closures are common from late December to early February; check the Hokkaido Road Traffic site before driving.

5. Ride‑Hailing & Taxis

Local taxi apps see a 10‑20 % price increase on bank holiday japan days, especially during Obon and Golden Week. Pre‑book a Traveloka private‑transfer to lock in a fixed rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does Golden Week 2026 start and end? Golden Week runs from April 29 (Shōwa Day) to May 5 (Children’s Day). It includes four consecutive national holidays, making it the longest domestic travel period of the year.

2. What are the exact dates for the Obon holiday in 2026? Obon is observed from August 13 to August 15 (regional variations may shift a day). Expect lantern festivals, bon‑odori dances, and many families returning to their hometowns.

3. Do Japanese banks close for New Year’s Day? Yes – New Year’s Day (January 1) is a bank holiday japan. Most banks remain closed until January 2, though ATMs stay operational.

4. When are the school holidays for 2026? National school breaks are: late March‑early April (spring), late July‑end August (summer), and mid‑December‑early January (winter). Each prefecture may shift dates by a few days, so check the local board of education.

5. Is it more expensive to travel during Golden Week? Generally, flights, Shinkansen tickets, and hotels increase 30‑50 % during japan golden week. Booking early on Traveloka can secure lower rates and avoid last‑minute price spikes.

6. Can I see cherry blossoms during the school holidays? Yes – the spring school break often aligns with the peak sakura period. Use the official Sakura forecast to time your walking trips japan in parks like Ueno (Tokyo) or Maruyama (Kyoto).

7. Are there any road closures in Hokkaido during winter? Major expressways may close temporarily for snow clearing, especially between late December and early February. Check the Hokkaido Road Traffic Information Center before driving.

8. Does Tokyo really celebrate Christmas? While not a religious holiday, Christmas in Tokyo is a major commercial event with spectacular light displays, themed cafés, and pop‑up markets. Expect higher hotel demand from December  24‑26.

9. What transport options are best during Obon? During obon japan, Shinkansen tickets sell out fast. Consider night buses, regional JR lines, or Traveloka’s private‑transfer services for flexibility.

10. How can I save money on accommodation during the holidays? Book early, stay in less‑touristy districts (e.g., Sham Shui Po in Tokyo, Kawaramachi in Kyoto), and use Traveloka’s “early‑bird” hotel deals.

Turn Japan’s 2026 Holiday Calendar into Your Perfect Trip

Whether you are chasing the pink petals of spring sakura, the powder snow of the hokkaido winter holiday, or the neon glow of Christmas in Tokyo, the japan public holiday 2026 calendar is your roadmap. By aligning your travel plans with japan golden week, japan obon holiday, and the japan school holidays, you can avoid crowds, lock in lower prices, and experience the country’s most iconic celebrations.

Ready to start booking? Use Traveloka to secure flights, hotels, rail passes, and even private transfers—all in one place.

Happy travels, and may every holiday in Japan bring you unforgettable memories!