Japan's National Holidays (from January to May)

January

New Year's Day (Ganjitsu) [January 1]

Opens the top holiday season, shogatsu, usually as the year's first 1, 3 or 7 days.

Coming-of-Age Day (Seijin no Hi) [2nd Monday]

Congratulating and encouraging people of age (20). Cities and towns hold ceremonies for them.

February

National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi) [February 11]

Marking Japan's establishment and patriotism.

March

Vernal Equinox (Shunbun no Hi) [Around March 21]

Admiring nature and loving the living. Till 1948, an imperial ancestor worship festival, shunki korei-sai.

April

Showa Day (Showa no Hi) [April 29]

Celebrating the Showa emperor's birthday originally marked as a holiday during his lifetime. It starts the Golden Week holiday period.

May

Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo Kinenbi) [May 3]

Japan's postwar constitution took effect then, also during the Golden Week.

Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) [May 4]

A day during the Golden Week to commune with nature and thank its gifts.

Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) [May 5]

At the Golden Week's end parents esteem children and plan for their happiness. Families with a boy at home may fly koi streamers and hang out armor or samurai dolls.

Japan's National Holidays (from July to December)