There are 16 public holidays in Japan in 2023, four of which fall on weekends: New Year's Day, National Foundation Day, Shōwa Day, and Autumnal Equinox Day.
New Year's Day
New Year Holiday, celebrated on January 1, 2023, is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world.
Coming of Age Day
Coming of Age Day, observed on January 9, 2023, is to welcome new adults into society and to honour those who have reached the age of 20 between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year. In Japan, people are officially considered adults when reaching the age of 20.
National Foundation Day
National Foundation Day, observed on February 11, 2023, recognizes the ascension of the First Emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, whose accession is traditionally dated as 660 BC. Originally, the day was celebrated as New Year's day in the traditional lunisolar calendar.
The Emperor's Birthday
The Emperor's Birthday, observed on February 23, 2023, celebrates the birth anniversary of the reigning Emperor Naruhito, who was born on February 23, 1960. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019, after the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, due to his age and declining health.
Vernal Equinox Day
Vernal Equinox Day, observed on March 21, 2023, marks the end of the winter and the beginning of spring astrologically. The time of the Vernal Equinox in the northern hemisphere is the Autumnal Equinox in the southern hemisphere.
Shōwa Day
Shōwa Day, observed on April 29, 2023, celebrates the birth anniversary of Emperor Shōwa, also known as Emperor Hirohito, the reigning emperor from 1926 to 1989. He was born on April 29, 1901, and died on January 7, 1989. The holiday was created to encourage the public to reflect on the country's future rather than glorify the emperor himself.
Constitution Memorial Day
Constitution Memorial Day, observed on May 3, 2023, celebrates the date Japan's constitution came into effect. The Showa Emperor announced unconditional surrender to allied forces in 1945, and Japan and the United States cooperated in drafting the new constitution, which came into force on May 3, 1947.
Greenery Day
Greenery Day is a public holiday in Japan, observed on May 4, 2023. The holiday celebrates all things gloriously green and is a day to value nature. The holiday was established in 1989 with the celebration on April 29, the previous Emperor's Birthday.
Children's Day
Children's Day, observed on May 5, 2023, is a day to celebrate children's health and happiness and to respect children's personalities. Traditionally, May 5 (double fifth) was a festival for boys, and the girls' festival is on March 3 (double third).
Marine Day
As an island country, Marine Day is to recognize the importance of the ocean to Japan. The holiday was first celebrated on July 20 until 2003, when it moved to the third Monday in July due to the Happy Monday System legislation. It falls on July 17, 2023.
Mountain Day
Mountain Day, observed on August 11, 2023, is to honor and give thanks for the blessings of the mountains. It is a new public holiday first celebrated in 2016. The date of August 11 was picked because the Chinese character "八" (eight for the eighth month of August) used in written Japanese looks like the mountain, and 11 looks like two trees.
Respect for the Aged Day
Respect for the Aged Day, observed on September 18, 2023, is a public holiday in Japan, and it is observed on the third Monday of September each year. The holiday is to honor and respect the country's elderly citizens.
Autumnal Equinox Day
Autumnal Equinox and Vernal Equinox are when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. The time of the Autumnal Equinox in the northern hemisphere is the Vernal Equinox in the southern hemisphere. The holiday falls on September 23, 2023.
Sports Day
Sports Day, formerly known as Health and Sports Day, is a public holiday in Japan, observed on October 9, 2023. The holiday commemorates the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, and it is a holiday to encourage and inspire good health and more exercise.
Culture Day
Culture Day, observed on November 3, 2023, is a holiday to promote culture, the arts, and academic endeavors. Culture Day has been a public holiday since 1948, two years after the current constitution was announced on November 3, 1946.
Labor Thanksgiving Day
Labor Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday in Japan, observed on November 23, 2023. The holiday is a holiday to respect labor and to celebrate production.
The following is the list of public holidays in Japan 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| New Year's Day Holiday | Jan 02, 2023 | Monday | Observed |
| Coming of Age Day | Jan 09, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| National Foundation Day | Feb 11, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| The Emperor's Birthday | Feb 23, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Vernal Equinox Day | Mar 21, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Shōwa Day | Apr 29, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Constitution Memorial Day | May 03, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Greenery Day | May 04, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Children's Day | May 05, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Marine Day | Jul 17, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Mountain Day | Aug 11, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Respect for the Aged Day | Sep 18, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Autumnal Equinox Day | Sep 23, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Sports Day | Oct 09, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Culture Day | Nov 03, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day | Nov 23, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Japan in 2023.
