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⚡ 30-Second Answer: Japan has 16 public holidays per year, biggest travel impact = (1) Golden Week (late April-early May) +50-100% (2) Obon (Aug 13-16) +40-80% (3) Silver Week (mid-to-late September) +20-40% (4) New Year holidays (Dec 29-Jan 3) +50-100%. Avoid holiday weeks and cut your budget by 30-40%. 2027 Golden Week = May 1-5 / Obon centers on Aug 14 / New Year = Dec 29-Jan 3.
Quick Reference
Value
Annual holidays
16 days
Biggest impact
Golden Week / Obon / New Year
2027 Golden Week
May 1-5
2027 Obon
Centers on Aug 14
2027 New Year
Dec 29-Jan 3
Last verified
June 2026
30-Second Answer
Your Japan travel budget changes dramatically depending on whether holidays are "ON" or "OFF". Avoid the major holidays and you cut your budget 30-40% with much smaller crowds. On the other hand, if your goal is a holiday-period event (Golden Week / Obon / New Year festivities), be ready to pay the premium.
📅 2026 Remaining Holiday Calendar
July-December
Date
Holiday
Travel Impact
Mon Jul 20
Marine Day (long weekend)
+20%
Tue Aug 11
Mountain Day
+15%
Aug 13-16
Obon holiday period
+50-80%
Mon Sep 21
Respect for the Aged Day (long weekend)
+20-30%
Wed Sep 23
Autumnal Equinox
+10%
Mon Oct 12
Sports Day (long weekend)
+15%
Tue Nov 3
Culture Day
+10%
Mon Nov 23
Labor Thanksgiving Day (long weekend)
+15%
Dec 29-31
Year-end holidays
+50-100%
📅 2027 Full Holiday Calendar
January-March
Date
Holiday
Travel Impact
Fri Jan 1
New Year's Day (New Year holidays)
+50-100%
Mon Jan 11
Coming of Age Day (long weekend)
+20%
Thu Feb 11
National Foundation Day
+10%
Wed Feb 17
Lunar New Year (Chinese-speaking markets)
+30-60%
Tue Feb 23
Emperor's Birthday
+10%
Sun Mar 21
Vernal Equinox
+15%
April-June
Date
Holiday
Travel Impact
Thu Apr 29
Showa Day (start of Golden Week)
+50%
Mon May 3
Constitution Memorial Day
+80%
Tue May 4
Greenery Day
+80%
Wed May 5
Children's Day
+80%
May 1-5
Golden Week full period
+50-100%
July-September
Date
Holiday
Travel Impact
Mon Jul 19
Marine Day (long weekend)
+20-30%
Wed Aug 11
Mountain Day
+15%
Aug 13-16
Obon full period
+50-80%
Mon Sep 20
Respect for the Aged Day
+20%
Thu Sep 23
Autumnal Equinox
+10%
October-December
Date
Holiday
Travel Impact
Mon Oct 11
Sports Day
+15%
Wed Nov 3
Culture Day
+10%
Tue Nov 23
Labor Thanksgiving Day
+15%
Dec 29-31
Year-end holidays
+50-100%
🎯 Impact Ranking
🔴 High impact (+50-100%)
Golden Week (late April-early May)
Obon (centered on Aug 13-16)
New Year holidays (Dec 29-Jan 3)
🟡 Medium impact (+20-40%)
Silver Week (September long weekend)
Lunar New Year (Chinese-speaking markets, February)
Around Golden Week (late April / mid-May)
🟢 Low impact (+10-15%)
Marine Day / Mountain Day
Culture Day / Labor Thanksgiving Day
Coming of Age Day
📊 Monthly Budget Fluctuation
January
New Year's Day +50-100%
Coming of Age long weekend +20%
Mid-to-late month -10 to -20% (low season)
February
Lunar New Year +30-60%
Emperor's Birthday +10%
Late month -10%
March
Vernal Equinox +15%
Pre-cherry-blossom -10%
Cherry blossom season +60-100%
April
Showa Day +50%
Right before Golden Week +30%
Cherry blossom season +60-100%
May
Golden Week +80-100%
After Golden Week +20%
After May 10 -10%
June
Rainy season -15 to -20%
No holidays
July
Marine Day +20-30%
Start of summer +10%
August
Mountain Day +15%
Obon +50-80%
Late month +10%
September
Respect for the Aged long weekend +20-30%
Autumnal Equinox +10%
Late month -10%
October
Sports Day +15%
Late month +20% (autumn leaves)
November
Culture Day +10%
Labor Thanksgiving Day +15%
Peak autumn leaves +60-100%
December
Year-end +50-100%
Christmas +50-80%
🎌 Best Timing for Inbound Travelers
Spring (March-May)
Cherry blossom season +60-100%
Avoidance: Skip cherry blossom dates or visit after mid-May
Summer (June-August)
Rainy season -15 to -20% (good value)
Obon +50-80%
Avoidance: Skip Obon
Autumn (September-November)
Silver Week +20-40%
Autumn leaves season +60-100%
Avoidance: Skip autumn leaves peak, or aim for late September-early October
Winter (December-February)
New Year holidays +50-100%
Mid-January to early February is best
Avoidance: Skip New Year week
🏖 Holidays Worth Visiting For
🎆 Golden Week (late April-early May)
Wisteria spots in Tokyo and Kyoto
Hakata Dontaku Festival
Sengen shrines in Shizuoka and Yamanashi
🎇 Obon (Aug 13-16)
Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (mountain bonfires)
Hiroshima Itsukushima Shrine Kangensai
Bon dances nationwide
🎑 Silver Week (September)
Autumn events at Senso-ji, Tokyo
Moon viewing at Arashiyama, Kyoto
🎄 New Year (Dec-Jan)
New Year's Eve bell at Senso-ji, Tokyo
First shrine visit at Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto
Hakone Ekiden marathon relay (Jan 2-3)
5 Common Tourist Mistakes
Targeting cherry blossoms during Golden Week → blossoms are already gone and prices are +80%
Regional travel during Obon → can't get reserved Shinkansen seats
Hoping to catch New Year's Eve festivals → hotels sold out 6 months in advance
Clashing with Lunar New Year crowds from Chinese-speaking markets → Kyoto and Osaka heavily crowded
Trying to book right before a long weekend → hotels already 90% full
Pre-Departure Checklist
Check holidays during your travel dates
Assume +20-100% budget near holidays
Avoid long weekends and save 30-40%
If targeting an event, book 6-12 months ahead
For 2027 trips, plan Golden Week and Obon during 2026
FAQ
Q: When is the best time to visit Japan?
A: Spring: after mid-May. Summer: June to early July. Autumn: late September to early October. Winter: mid-January to early February. Aim for the gaps between holidays and the cherry blossom / autumn leaves peaks.
Q: Are banks and post offices open on holidays?
A: All closed on holidays. Use 24-hour convenience store ATMs, and check tourist information centers for currency exchange.
Q: What if a holiday falls on a weekend?
A: A "substitute holiday" is moved to the following Monday, often creating a 3-day weekend.
Q: What about transport around New Year?
A: Reserved Shinkansen and flight seats fill rapidly 1-2 months in advance. Expect non-reserved seats to be nearly full too.
Q: Are sightseeing spots more expensive on holidays?
A: Most attractions don't have "holiday pricing". However, some close for special holidays, so check in advance.
Editorial info: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified June 2026. The holiday calendar is confirmed by government announcement. Check the Cabinet Office holidays page (https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/) for the latest information.
