Japanese National Holidays mostly celebrate the traditions and customs of Japan, others mark or commemorate, a monarch’s birthday, death, marriage and most importantly the Emperor's Coronation.
In recent times, dates of some Japanese National Holidays, was changed so that it could be marked on Mondays, this was tagged as the Happy Monday System of Japan, which obviously delights the working class because the Happy Monday System always ensures a long weekend.
Japanese National Holidays, such as the Coming Of Age Day, Respect For The Aged Day, Health And Sports Day, Marine Day are all marked on Mondays.
Well if you happen to be in Japan, on any of these days, do take some time out and enjoy the festivities.
Now here is a list, of all the Japanese National holidays, from January to December. Don't forget to send in your comments, suggestions or questions.
In Japan, the most important holiday in January is of cos New Year’s Day, it’s a day all Japanese hope and pray for. New Year’s Day is very important to the Japanese because this is a special day, to do away with all the worries of the past year.
Unlike other parts of the world, New Year’s Day in Japan, is continually celebrated all through, the days of the first week in January.
Although New Year’s Day in Japan, was formally established into law in 1948, the date was still a National Holiday because of Shiho-hai which is a very important worship ceremony, that is always performed by the reigning Monarch in Japan.
Another Holiday for the month of January, is the Coming Of Age Day, which is also called Seijin no Hi. It is a day that celebrates all, who have reached the age of maturity and in Japan that means twenty years.
Coming Of Age Day was initially, marked on the 15th of January but in accordance to the
February 11th is the National Foundation Day, it’s a day for all Japanese reflect on the Nation, as well as honor and cherish it.
National Foundation Day, was formally adapted in 1966 but was officially marked the following year.
Shunbun no Hi is marked around the 20th of March, Shunbun no Hi is also known as Vernal Equinox Day, its a day for all Japanese to appreciate Nature, as well as all living things. In the past, Vernal Equinox Day was known as Shunki Korei-sai which was a festival for ancestor worship, Vernal Equinox Day was formally put into law in 1948.
On the 29th of April, the people of Japan mark Showa Day which is a day to reflect, on the events and happenings of the Showa period.
In the past, the 29th of April was already a holiday, that marked the Birthday of Emperor Showa, after the Emperor's death in 1989, Greenery Day was marked in place of the Emperor’s birthday.
But in 2007 Greenery Day was also changed to Showa Day, which was to honor the late Emperor, also Showa Day starts the Golden Week of Japan.
Kenpo Kinenbi is Constitution Memorial Day, it is marked on the 3rd of May, it is a day when all Japanese reflect on the post war period. Constitution Memorial Day also falls within the Golden Week in Japan.
Greenery day is a day for all Japanese, to give thanks to the gods for their blessings, it is also a day to interact with nature, initially marked on the 29th of April, Greenery day is now celebrated on the 4th of May. Greenery day was formally established in 1989 and it also falls within the Golden Week of Japan.
Another National holiday, for the month of May is Children’s Day, which is marked, like the rest of the world on the 5th of May.
Children’s Day in Japan, was formaly put into law in 1948 and as expected, all children in Japan would be pampered, as well as have a great time with family and loved ones. Children’s Day marks the end of the Golden Week in Japan.
In Japan Umi no Hi is Marine Day, it is a day to give thanks and worship the gods, for the blessings from the seas and oceans, Umi no Hi is also a day to offer prayers, for all that surrounds the marine life in Japan, initially marked on the 20th of July but in accordance to the
The national Holiday, for the month of September is the Keiro no Hi which is Respect For The Aged Day, its a day to honor all the senior citizens in Japan, initially Keiro no Hi was marked on the 15th of September but in line with the “happy Monday System” Keiro no Hi is now celebrated, on the third Monday of every September.
Another National Holiday in September is Shubun no Hi which is Autumnal Equinox Day, it is a day for all Japanese to honor their ancestors, Autumnal Equinox Day was formally established as a holiday in 1948.
Health and Sports Day, is a day when all sports activities in Japan is showcased as well as enjoyed, initially celebrated on the 10th of October but in line with the Happy Monday rule, Health and Sports Day is now marked on the second Monday of every October.
Health and Sports Day also ommemorates, the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics of 1964, Health and Sports Day in Japan is mainly celebrated, to promote the culture of a healthy mind and sound body, it was formally signed into law in 1966.
Kinro Kansha no Hi is Labor Thanksgiving Day and it focuses on the efforts of labor and production. All Japanese are expected to give thanks, as well as celebrate labor on the 23rd of November.
Culture Day commemorates the announcement, of the constitution of Japan, which was on the 3rd of November 1946. Culture Day is marked on the 3rd of November, its a day that promotes peace and freedom, as well as showcases all the culture and traditions of Japan, Culture Day was formally signed into law in 1948.
Another Holiday for the 3rd of November is Meji-setsu, which celebrates the birthday of Emperor Meiji but other than sharing the same date as Culture Day, both events are not related in any way.
Emperor Day celebrates the birthday, of the reigning monarch of Japan, initially known as Tencho-setsu but later renamed Tenno Tanjobi Emperor Day has being a National holiday since 1868, before the death of Emperor Hirohito in 1989, it was annually celebrated on the 24th of April.
Today, Emperor Day is celebrated on the 23rd of December, which is the birthday of the reigning monarch, Emperor Akihito.