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Japan travels on a schedule: Golden Week at the end of April, Obon in mid-August, the New Year days, and Silver Week, which does not fall every year. In 2026 it does — five days in a row in September.
The calendar: September 2026 – August 2027
September 2026
- 19–23 SeptemberSilver Week●
A rare configuration: Respect for the Aged Day on 21 September and the Autumnal Equinox on the 23rd, with the 22nd automatically becoming a citizens’ holiday in between. Five days in a row — Silver Week does not happen every year.
October 2026
- 12 OctoberSports Day●
The second Monday of October, a legacy of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. A three-day weekend.
November 2026
- 3 NovemberCulture Day
A holiday celebrating culture and the arts, established in 1948.
- 23 NovemberLabour Thanksgiving Day●
A Monday, giving a three-day weekend at the end of November.
December 2026
- 29 December – 3 JanuaryOshogatsu●
Although only 1 January is a statutory holiday, the whole country shuts down from late December to 3 January. Japan’s largest travel period, domestic and outbound.
January 2027
- 11 JanuaryComing of Age Day●
The second Monday of January, honouring those who have turned 18. A three-day weekend.
February 2027
- 11 FebruaryNational Foundation Day
The date of the legendary accession of Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC.
- 23 FebruaryThe Emperor’s Birthday
The birthday of Emperor Naruhito.
March 2027
- 21–22 MarchVernal Equinox Day●
The equinox falls on Sunday 21 March, so the day off moves to Monday the 22nd.
April 2027
- 29 April – 5 MayGolden Week●
Showa Day on 29 April, Constitution Day on 3 May, Greenery Day on the 4th and Children’s Day on the 5th. The biggest break of the year — Japanese travellers book long-haul trips months in advance.
May 2027
July 2027
- 17–19 JulyMarine Day●
The third Monday of July, the only national holiday in the world dedicated to the sea. A three-day weekend.
August 2027
- 11 AugustMountain Day
Japan’s newest holiday, introduced in 2016. It is often joined up with Obon.
- 13–16 AugustObon●
The Buddhist days of honouring ancestors. Not a statutory holiday, but most companies close — combined with Mountain Day it makes almost a full week.
When to start the paperwork
| Window | Dates | Send documents by |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Week | 19–23 September 2026 | 8 August 2026 |
| Sports Day | 12 October 2026 | 31 August 2026 |
| Labour Thanksgiving Day | 23 November 2026 | 12 October 2026 |
| Oshogatsu | 29 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 | 17 November 2026 |
| Coming of Age Day | 11 January 2027 | 30 November 2026 |
| Vernal Equinox Day | 21–22 March 2027 | 7 February 2027 |
| Golden Week | 29 April – 5 May 2027 | 18 March 2027 |
| Marine Day | 17–19 July 2027 | 5 June 2027 |
| Obon | 13–16 August 2027 | 2 July 2027 |
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