Japanese Holidays

Updated

Traditional Events

Traditional Events

As with any culture, Japan celebrates many holidays throughout the year. Some holidays like Valentine's Day and Christmas are celebrated in Japan, but they're a bit different than their Western counterparts. Holidays are similar to Japanese Festivals, but a key difference is holidays aren't associated with a shrine. Instead, holidays are a time to spend with family, friends, or in nature. There are holidays focused around love, sports, and wellness. Celebrating a Japanese holiday is always best with friends, and some holidays are marked with special edition products, such as Sakura-flavored candies and goods during March & April's cherry blossom season.

During the weeks between April and May, Japan has multiple holidays lined-up. This period is called Golden Week and is usually when the Japanese travel the most. There's also a shorter period in September known as Silver Week when companies take time off to let their workers enjoy the holidays.

Interested in learning more about Japanese culture? Japan Deluxe Tour's Japanese Holidays page has some of the biggest holiday celebrations listed below, and don't forget to check out our line of Japanese Festival Tours!

Holiday & Events in January and February

Japanese New Year

Japanese New Year

New Years is the most important holiday and tradition

Coming of Age Day

Coming of Age Day

Congratulate those who have reached the age of majority

Setsubun

Setsubun

Bean-throwing ceremony to welcome the beginning of spring

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Unlike America, women give the men chocolate on Valentine's Day in Japan

National Foundation Day

National Foundation Day

National Foundation Day is a holiday celebrating the founding of Japan

Holiday & Event in March, April and May

Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri

Celebration of girls' happiness and growth

White Day

White Day

Answer day to Valentine's Day when men show their gratitude

Children's Day

Children's Day

National holiday for children to celebrate children's health, growth, and happiness

Holiday & Events in June, July and August

Tanabata Festival

Tanabata Festival

One of the four greatest festivals in Tohoku, held every summer in Sendai

Obon

Obon

Commemoration of ancestors; when the spirits of the deceased return

Marine Day

Marine Day

Marine Day is a Japanese national holiday celebrating the ocean and it's importance.

Mountain Day

Mountain Day

Mountain day is Japan's newest holiday, intended for citizens to get familiar with mountains.

Holiday & Events in September and October

Otsukimi - Moon Viewing

Otsukimi - Moon Viewing

Families and Friends Gather to Watch the Harvest Moon

Sports Day

Sports Day

Sports Day, is a national holiday held on the second Monday in October.

Respect for the Aged Day

Respect for the Aged Day

Respect for the Aged Day is a public holiday to honor elderly citizens

Holiday & Events in November and December

Shichi-go-san

Shichi-go-san

Rite of passage for girls age three and seven and boys age five

Christmas & Christmas Eve

Christmas & Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is celebrated more festively than Christmas Day

Omisoka

Omisoka

Japanese New Years Eve when families eat soba noodles

Bonenkai

Bonenkai

End of the Year Party

Culture Day

Culture Day

Culture Day is a holiday to promote Japan's culture, art, and academic endeavors.

Labor Thanksgiving Day

Labor Thanksgiving Day

Labor Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday to commemorate hard-work and labor

The Emperor's Birthday

The Emperor's Birthday

The Emperor's Birthday is a national holiday in Japan currently celebrated on December 23rd

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