The Complete Guide to Traditional Japanese National Holidays
NATIONAL DAYS IN TOKYO
The story: Japanese workers not only work some of the longest hours in the world, but also have extremely few days off. Newcomers are often appalled by this country's supposed workaholism, and the cliché of the overworked employee persists.
But there is at least one part of working life in Japan that is commendable: the number - and variety - of public holidays. In 2017, there are a whopping 16 such days, and most of them even have a funny story. Read our guide to every single kokumin no shukujitsu in the calendar and learn how to distinguish coming of age day from your children's day.
Showa Day (29 April)
Showa Day is the first holiday of the Japanese year, which traditionally runs from April to March. It commemorates the birthday of the Showa Emperor. The longest-serving monarch of modern Japan, also known as Hirohito, sat on the Chrysanthemum Throne from 1926 until his death in 1989 and was born on this day in 1901.
Showa Day isn't really celebrated in a big way (unless you're into the imperial family), but it marks the beginning of Golden Week, one of the most important holidays in Japan.
Constitution Day (3 May)
Constitution Day, established on 3 May 1947 when the current Japanese constitution came into effect, opens the second half of Golden Week and often leads to eager debates about the merits and demerits of the document being celebrated. However, everyone seems to agree to keep the holiday.
Greenery Day (4 May)
Greenery Day (not "Green Day") is a day to enjoy and give thanks to nature. It was moved to today's date in 2007. It's especially noteworthy because many parks and gardens in Tokyo, including the Ueno and Tama zoos, don't charge admission on this day.
You know the story: Japanese workers not only work some of the longest hours in the world, but also have extremely few days off. Newcomers are often appalled by this country's supposed workaholism, and the cliché of the overworked employee persists.
But there is at least one part of working life in Japan that is commendable: the number - and variety - of public holidays. In 2017, there are a whopping 16 such days, and most of them even have a funny story. Read our guide to every single kokumin no shukujitsu in the calendar and learn how to distinguish coming of age day from your children's day.
Constitution Day (3 May)
Constitution Day, established on 3 May 1947 when the current Japanese constitution came into effect, opens the second half of Golden Week and often leads to eager debates about the merits and demerits of the document being celebrated. However, everyone seems to agree to keep the holiday.
Children's Day (5 May)
Children's Day, known as Tango no Sekku (Spring Festival) in the Edo period, is one of the more historic holidays in Japan. It used to be a celebration for boys only (girls were honoured on Hinamatsuri in March), but today it's celebrated to wish all children the happiness they need on their journey to adulthood. Colourful koinobori (carp snakes) are flown, kashiwamochi (rice cakes) are eaten and children no older than one year have free admission to Tokyo zoos and parks.
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Navy Day (third Monday in July)
On this day, Japan's beaches are packed with sun worshippers looking to take advantage of the first holiday of the summer. Marine Day is basically a wetter (and hotter) version of Greenery Day: be grateful for the gifts of the sea and try to get out of the house for a change.
Mountain Day (11 August)
If the forests and seas have their own day, why not the mountains? That was the thinking behind Japan's newest holiday, which was only first celebrated in 2016. With the introduction of Mountain Day, the number of holiday-free months was also reduced to one - June.
Respect for Elders Day (third Monday in September)
It doesn't really need a detailed explanation: on this day, Japan's not-so-young people honour the country's much more numerous elderly population. Particularly upstanding people may visit their family in person, while the less conscientious simply send flowers or cards. Those over 60 (plus one accompanying person) are admitted free to many parks, gardens and zoos in Tokyo.
Autumn Equinox (22 or 23 September)
One of two Japanese holidays without a fixed date, the Autumn Equinox is celebrated on the day the sun 'crosses' the equator from north to south, ending summer and ushering in autumn. Although its origins are of course prehistoric, the day only became a public holiday in 1948.
Before that, it was considered an occasion for ancestor worship because, according to Buddhist beliefs, the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead becomes thinner at the equinox than at any other time of the year. Many people still visit their families' graves on the day of the autumn equinox.
Health and Sports Day (second Monday in October)
Sports Day, which used to be held on 10 October - the day of the opening ceremony of the first Tokyo Olympics - was moved to the present day in 2000 and is considered the most relaxed holiday of the year. Most schools and many other organisations hold their annual Undokai sports festivals on or around this day, so you'll see legions of stressed-out, hyper parents queuing up outside the schoolyards at the crack of dawn to secure good seats.
New Year's Day (1 January)
The undisputed leader among Japanese public holidays, New Year's Day is the day of the year when the country comes to a virtual standstill. Most shops and restaurants are closed, peace and quiet reigns and people gather with their families to eat, eat and eat. Some stay up all night to witness the first sunrise of the year, many visit temples and shrines for Hatsumode, the first prayer of the year, and children collect money in the form of Otoshidama gifts.
Coming of Age Day (second Monday in January)
Another holiday with ancient origins. On this celebration of newly minted adults (i.e. those who have come of age in the past year), 20-somethings across the country dress up in the flashiest traditional garb they can find, take part in ceremonies and get heavily drunk. Add a little snowfall - rare, but it happens - and you have some of the best photo opportunities of the year.
National Foundation Day (11 February)
It would take a whole essay to go into the history of this holiday. So here's the short version: according to legend (and a number of modern interpretations), 11 February is the date when the first Emperor Jimmu ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 660 BC - an event that marks the founding of the Japanese nation - and when the Meiji Constitution was promulgated in 1889.
The holiday was known as Empire Day from the Meiji Restoration until the end of the World War II, when it was abolished by the American occupiers. After more than 15 years of occasional heated debate, it was reinstated and renamed in 1966.
Harvest Festival of Labour (23 November)
Labour Day, when you're praised for simply doing your job, is actually a repackaged version in Japan of the ancient Niiname-sai harvest festival, still celebrated by the imperial family on 23 November. Its roots in agriculture run deep: agricultural-related events make up most of the day's programme, while trade union marches aren't conspicuous. Most unions make their voices heard on 1 May instead.
The Emperor's Birthday (23 December)
Akihito's birthday may be a welcome substitute for Christmas for many expatriates in Tokyo, but it's most famous for the Ippan Sanga. On this day, the gates of the Imperial Palace are opened to the unwashed, who stroll to the Chowaden Reception Hall, wave their little Hinomaru flags and catch a glimpse of the smiling Big A and his family. It's not yet known what will happen to this day when the current emperor retires to a well-deserved retirement, but expect it to remain on the calendar in some form.
Day of the Vernal Equinox (20 or 21 March)
See Autumnal Equinox above - all the same applies to this day, except of course for the fact that the Spring Equinox marks the beginning of spring instead of autumn. It's also the unofficial start of the most beautiful time of the year: the sakura season.
