Japan’s National Holidays in 2020
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Japan reshuffled some of its national holidays in 2020 to accommodate the Tokyo Summer Olympics. The games are now set to take place from July 23, 2021, but the changes to the holiday schedule in 2020 remain in place. Marine Day is moved a week later to July 23, the day before the Olympics opening ceremony was scheduled; Sports Day has been shifted from October to July 24, the day planned for the opening ceremony; and Mountain Day is a day early, on August 10, the day after the closing ceremony would have taken place. The aim was to reduce rush hours for commuters and students, as well as to avoid traffic congestion, so that the athletes could travel to and from venues and security could be maintained without problem.
Following the accession of Emperor Naruhito in 2019, the Emperor’s Birthday national holiday from 2020 takes place on February 23.
| National Holiday | 2020 Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Coming of Age Day | January 13 (Second Monday in January) |
| National Foundation Day | February 11 |
| Emperor’s Birthday | February 23 |
| Emperor’s Birthday (observed) | February 24 |
| Vernal Equinox Day | March 20 |
| Shōwa Day | April 29 |
| Constitution Memorial Day | May 3 |
| Greenery Day | May 4 |
| Children’s Day | May 5 |
| Constitution Memorial Day (observed) | May 6 |
| Marine Day | July 23 (Date changed for 2020) |
| Sports Day | July 24 (Date changed for 2020) |
| Mountain Day | August 10 (Date changed for 2020) |
| Respect for the Aged Day | September 21 (Third Monday in September) |
| Autumnal Equinox Day | September 22 |
| Culture Day | November 3 |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day | November 23 |
Health and Sports Day will be renamed Sports Day from 2020. Compiled by Nippon.com based on information from the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan website.
Holiday Periods at a Glance
(Translated from Japanese. Updated on April 6, 2020. Banner photo © Pixta.)