Long weekends in Japan, 2026.
Japan, 2026: 12 long weekends. 6 cost no leave at all, and 8 days of leave add the other 6, for 49 days off in total.
Long weekends that need no leave
- 10 January to 12 January: 3 days off, no leave needed (Coming of Age Day)
- 21 February to 23 February: 3 days off, no leave needed (The Emperor's Birthday)
- 20 March to 22 March: 3 days off, no leave needed (Vernal Equinox Day)
- 18 July to 20 July: 3 days off, no leave needed (Marine Day)
- 10 October to 12 October: 3 days off, no leave needed (Sports Day)
- 21 November to 23 November: 3 days off, no leave needed (Labour Thanksgiving Day)
Bridge days worth taking
- 1 January to 4 January: 4 days off, take Fri 2 Jan as leave (New Year's Day)
- 7 February to 11 February: 5 days off, take Mon 9 Feb and Tue 10 Feb as leave (Foundation Day)
- 2 May to 10 May: 9 days off, take Thu 7 May and Fri 8 May as leave (Greenery Day, Children's Day, Constitution Memorial Day)
- 8 August to 11 August: 4 days off, take Mon 10 Aug as leave (Mountain Day)
- 19 September to 23 September: 5 days off, take Tue 22 Sept as leave (Respect for the Aged Day, Autumnal Equinox Day)
- 31 October to 3 November: 4 days off, take Mon 2 Nov as leave (Culture Day)
Public holidays in Japan, 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January | New Year's Day (元日) |
| Monday 12 January | Coming of Age Day (成人の日) |
| Wednesday 11 February | Foundation Day (建国記念の日) |
| Monday 23 February | The Emperor's Birthday (天皇誕生日) |
| Friday 20 March | Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日) |
| Wednesday 29 April | Shōwa Day (昭和の日) |
| Monday 4 May | Greenery Day (みどりの日) |
| Tuesday 5 May | Children's Day (こどもの日) |
| Wednesday 6 May | Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日) |
| Monday 20 July | Marine Day (海の日) |
| Tuesday 11 August | Mountain Day (山の日) |
| Monday 21 September | Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日) |
| Wednesday 23 September | Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日) |
| Monday 12 October | Sports Day (スポーツの日) |
| Tuesday 3 November | Culture Day (文化の日) |
| Monday 23 November | Labour Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日) |
Quick answers
How many long weekends are there in Japan in 2026?
Japan has 6 long weekends in 2026 that need no leave, and 6 more that open up with one or two days of leave.
What is the best bridge day in Japan in 2026?
Respect for the Aged Day: taking 1 day of leave gives 5 days off, from 19 September to 23 September 2026.
How many public holidays does Japan have in 2026?
Japan has 16 nationwide public holidays in 2026. 16 of them fall on a weekday.