| Holiday | In Japanese | Date | Purpose in the law |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 元日 | January 1 | to celebrate the start of the year |
| Coming of Age Day | 成人の日 | 2nd Monday of January | to celebrate and encourage young people who have become adults and will make their own way |
| National Foundation Day | 建国記念の日 | February 11 (set by cabinet order) | to remember the founding of the nation and love the country |
| The Emperor’s Birthday | 天皇誕生日 | February 23 | to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday |
| Vernal Equinox Day | 春分の日 | the day of the spring equinox | to praise nature and care for living things |
| Showa Day | 昭和の日 | April 29 | to look back on the Showa era, which came through turbulent days and recovered, and think about the country’s future |
| Constitution Memorial Day | 憲法記念日 | May 3 | to remember that the Constitution of Japan came into force |
| Greenery Day | みどりの日 | May 4 | to enjoy nature, be thankful for its gifts and grow a rich heart |
| Children’s Day | こどもの日 | May 5 | to respect children as persons, work for their happiness, and thank mothers |
| Marine Day | 海の日 | 3rd Monday of July | to be thankful for the gifts of the sea and wish for the prosperity of Japan as a sea nation |
| Mountain Day | 山の日 | August 11 | to have a chance to enjoy mountains and be thankful for their gifts |
| Respect for the Aged Day | 敬老の日 | 3rd Monday of September | to honor older people who have served society for many years, and celebrate long life |
| Autumnal Equinox Day | 秋分の日 | the day of the autumn equinox | to honor our ancestors and remember those who have died |
| Sports Day | スポーツの日 | 2nd Monday of October | to enjoy sports, respect others, and wish for a healthy, lively society |
| Culture Day | 文化の日 | November 3 | to love freedom and peace, and promote culture |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day | 勤労感謝の日 | November 23 | to value work, celebrate production, and thank one another |
Article 1 of the Act on National Holidays (Act No. 178 of 1948) says that the Japanese people, who seek freedom and peace, set these days so that the whole nation can celebrate, give thanks or remember together, while building a better society and a richer life. It names them “national holidays”.
Some holidays have fixed dates, such as Constitution Memorial Day on May 3 and Culture Day on November 3.
Four holidays are on a Monday: Coming of Age Day (2nd Monday of January), Marine Day (3rd Monday of July), Respect for the Aged Day (3rd Monday of September) and Sports Day (2nd Monday of October).
Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day fall on the days of the equinoxes. National Foundation Day is set by a cabinet order of 1966 as February 11.
National holidays are days off. When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the nearest following day that is not a national holiday becomes a day off.
A day that comes between two national holidays, and is not a national holiday itself, is also a day off.
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.