Japan Public Holidays 2027
Japan's official 2027 national holidays and substitute holiday, as published by the Cabinet Office, with an ICS download.
Japan Public Holidays 2027
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year's Day (元日 Ganjitsu) | — |
| Jan 11 | Monday | Coming of Age Day (成人の日 Seijin no Hi) | 2nd Monday of January |
| Feb 11 | Thursday | National Foundation Day (建国記念の日 Kenkoku Kinen no Hi) | — |
| Feb 23 | Tuesday | Emperor's Birthday (天皇誕生日 Tenno Tanjobi) | Emperor Naruhito born Feb 23, 1960 |
| Mar 21 | Sunday | Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日 Shunbun no Hi) | Official national holiday |
| Mar 22 | Monday | Substitute Holiday (振替休日) | In lieu of Vernal Equinox Day |
| Apr 29 | Thursday | Showa Day (昭和の日 Showa no Hi) | Birthday of Emperor Showa |
| May 3 | Monday | Constitution Day (憲法記念日 Kenpo Kinenbi) | Golden Week |
| May 4 | Tuesday | Greenery Day (みどりの日 Midori no Hi) | Golden Week |
| May 5 | Wednesday | Children's Day (こどもの日 Kodomo no Hi) | Golden Week |
| Jul 19 | Monday | Marine Day (海の日 Umi no Hi) | 3rd Monday of July |
| Aug 11 | Wednesday | Mountain Day (山の日 Yama no Hi) | — |
| Sep 20 | Monday | Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日 Keiro no Hi) | 3rd Monday of September |
| Sep 23 | Thursday | Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日 Shubun no Hi) | Date confirmed annually by National Observatory |
| Oct 11 | Monday | Sports Day (スポーツの日 Supotsu no Hi) | 2nd Monday of October |
| Nov 3 | Wednesday | Culture Day (文化の日 Bunka no Hi) | — |
| Nov 23 | Tuesday | Labour Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日 Kinro Kansha no Hi) | — |
The Cabinet Office's published list confirms Vernal Equinox Day on Mar 21, its substitute holiday on Mar 22, and Autumnal Equinox Day on Sep 23. Last verified: 2026-08-20.
About Japan Public Holidays
Japan's national public holidays are called Shukujitsu (祝日) and are governed by the Act on National Holidays. In 2027, Japan observes 16 designated national holidays. Vernal Equinox Day falls on Sunday, 21 March, so Monday, 22 March becomes a Furikae Kyujitsu (振替休日 — substitute holiday). January 2 and 3 are common New Year closure dates for many organisations but are not national holidays and are therefore not included in the table or ICS file.
Japan's holiday calendar features three notable cluster periods. Golden Week (late April to early May) groups Showa Day (Apr 29), Constitution Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children's Day (May 5) into one of the longest holiday stretches of the year. Obon (mid-August) is not a national public holiday by law, but Mountain Day (Aug 11) anchors a period when most Japanese businesses informally close for several days. Silver Week can occur in September when Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumnal Equinox are close enough together with a weekday gap to trigger a Sandwich Rule holiday — in 2027, they fall on September 20 and 23 with two working days between them, so no Silver Week applies this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Japan has 16 designated national holidays in 2027 plus one substitute holiday. Vernal Equinox Day falls on Sunday, 21 March, so Monday, 22 March is an official substitute holiday, giving 17 dates in the Cabinet Office list.
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Vernal Equinox Day is Sunday, 21 March 2027. Under the Holiday Act, Monday, 22 March is the official substitute holiday. January 2 and 3 may be customary business closures, but they are not national holidays.
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The status widget at the top of this page automatically detects today's date using Asia/Tokyo timezone and checks against the official 2027 holiday list.