If you are planning a trip to Japan in 2027, the dates of Japanese public holidays matter more than you might think. On a holiday weekend, Shinkansen seats sell out, hotel prices jump and popular sights become crowded with domestic travellers. On the other hand, most shops, restaurants and attractions stay open, so a holiday can also be a chance to see festivals and local life.
This guide lists all 17 national holidays in 2027 as published by Japan's Cabinet Office, shows which ones create long weekends, and explains the three peak periods every visitor should know about: New Year, Golden Week and Obon.
1. The Full List of 2027 Public Holidays
Japan's national holidays are set by the Act on National Holidays (国民の祝日に関する法律). The Cabinet Office publishes the list for each year in advance. These are the official dates for 2027:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Friday | New Year's Day (元日) |
| January 11 | Monday | Coming of Age Day (成人の日) |
| February 11 | Thursday | National Foundation Day (建国記念の日) |
| February 23 | Tuesday | The Emperor's Birthday (天皇誕生日) |
| March 21 | Sunday | Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日) |
| March 22 | Monday | Substitute holiday (振替休日) |
| April 29 | Thursday | Showa Day (昭和の日) |
| May 3 | Monday | Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日) |
| May 4 | Tuesday | Greenery Day (みどりの日) |
| May 5 | Wednesday | Children's Day (こどもの日) |
| July 19 | Monday | Marine Day (海の日) |
| August 11 | Wednesday | Mountain Day (山の日) |
| September 20 | Monday | Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日) |
| September 23 | Thursday | Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日) |
| October 11 | Monday | Sports Day (スポーツの日) |
| November 3 | Wednesday | Culture Day (文化の日) |
| November 23 | Tuesday | Labour Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日) |
Unlike 2026, there is no "sandwiched" citizens' holiday (国民の休日) in 2027. That rule only applies when a single weekday falls between two national holidays, and the Cabinet Office confirms no such day occurs in 2027.
2. Long Weekends in 2027
Several holidays are fixed to Mondays under the "Happy Monday" system, so they always create a three-day weekend. In 2027, these are the long weekends to note:
Coming of Age Day weekend. Young adults in kimono visit shrines, and ski resorts are busy.
Equinox weekend, with the substitute holiday on Monday. Early cherry blossoms may appear in some southern areas.
Marine Day weekend, the start of the summer holiday mood.
Two autumn three-day weekends. Popular for hot spring trips and day trips from cities.
Holidays in the middle of the week, such as February 11 (Thursday) or November 3 (Wednesday), do not create long weekends, but sights near big cities can still be crowded on the day itself.
3. Golden Week 2027
Golden Week is the cluster of holidays from late April to early May, and it is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Japan. In 2027 the calendar looks like this:
| Date | Status |
|---|---|
| Thursday, April 29 | Showa Day (holiday) |
| Friday, April 30 | Normal working day |
| Saturday, May 1 – Sunday, May 2 | Weekend |
| Monday, May 3 – Wednesday, May 5 | Three national holidays in a row |
That makes Saturday, May 1 to Wednesday, May 5, 2027 a five-day break for most workers. Many people will also take April 30 off to stretch it from April 29. Expect the heaviest outbound traffic from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya around May 1 and the heaviest return traffic around May 5.
Reserved Shinkansen seats, hotels in Kyoto and resort areas, and rental cars fill up quickly. If your trip overlaps these dates, book transport and rooms as soon as you can, and consider visiting big-name sights early in the morning. See our Shinkansen guide and JR Pass guide.
4. Busy Periods That Are Not Official Holidays
Two of Japan's biggest travel seasons are not on the national holiday list at all.
New Year (Shogatsu)
Only January 1 is a national holiday, but government offices are closed from December 29 to January 3, and many companies follow a similar break. Around December 31 to January 3, some restaurants, museums and small shops close, while shrines and temples are packed with people making their first visit of the year. Read our guide to what is open and closed over New Year.
Obon (mid-August)
Obon is a Buddhist custom of honouring ancestors, and many people return to their hometowns around August 13 to 16. It is not a public holiday, but many businesses close for a few days. In 2027, Mountain Day falls on Wednesday, August 11, so some companies may connect it to the Obon break. Trains and highways are very crowded. See our Obon travel guide.
5. What Happens on a Japanese Public Holiday?
For most visitors, a national holiday feels like a Sunday:
- Shops and restaurants: Department stores, malls, convenience stores and most restaurants are open. Some small family-run restaurants close.
- Museums: Many museums that normally close on Mondays open on a Monday holiday and close on the following weekday instead. Check the official site before you go.
- Trains: City lines run on weekend or holiday timetables, with fewer rush-hour services.
- Banks and post offices: Bank branches are closed, but convenience store ATMs work as usual.
- Prices: Hotels often charge more on the night before a holiday, just as they do on Saturday nights.
6. Best and Worst Times to Visit in 2027
Mid to late January after the long weekend, most of February outside holiday dates, mid-June, and late November to mid-December on weekdays.
December 29 to January 3, the late-March to early-April cherry blossom season, Golden Week (April 29 to May 5) and Obon (around August 13 to 16).
Remember that school holidays also matter. Japanese schools usually break from late July to late August, around New Year, and from late March to early April. Theme parks and family destinations are busier during these weeks even on weekdays.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 16 national holidays plus one substitute holiday (March 22), making 17 days off according to the Cabinet Office list.
Showa Day is Thursday, April 29, and the main block is Saturday, May 1 to Wednesday, May 5, 2027.
No. December 25 is a normal working day in Japan, although Christmas lights and events are popular. See our Christmas in Japan guide.
Yes, most shops, malls, convenience stores and restaurants are open. Banks are closed, and some small restaurants and museums may close or change their hours.
No. Obon is a traditional period around August 13 to 16. Many businesses close and travel is very busy, but it is not an official national holiday.
Conclusion
The 2027 holiday calendar is simple once you know where the crowds will be. Book early if your trip overlaps New Year, cherry blossom season, Golden Week (especially May 1 to 5) or Obon, and enjoy the three-day weekends as a chance to see Japanese families out and about. For month-by-month planning, read Japan in January and our Japan travel budget guide.
Sources
- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan — National holidays (Japanese): https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html
- e-Gov — Act on National Holidays (Japanese): https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/323AC1000000178
- e-Gov — Act on Holidays of Administrative Organs (Japanese): https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/363AC0000000091