Japan Holiday

Japan have 15 official holidays in a year. However, due to their strong adherence to the tradition, there are many more traditional festive occasions celebrated throughout the country where businesses are closed. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs. Some Japanese festivals have deep roots in Nepal. The concept of these festivals transported to China from Nepal then from China to Japan. Nepal has some similar festival as in Japan till today like Machendra Jatra, Indra Jatra.

Here is a list of Public Holidays in Japan in Year 2010

Friday, 1 January 2010 (national holiday)
New Year (shogatsu):
This is the most important holiday in Japan. While only January 1 is designated as a national holiday, many businesses remain closed through January 3. 2 January and 3 January are officially holidays for bank and government employees only. This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day to celebrate the new year.

Monday, 11 January 2010 (national holiday)
Coming of Age (seijin no hi):
Cities and towns throughout the nation hold ceremonies to celebrate, congratulate, and encourage men and women who have reached the age of majority (20) during the year.

Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Beginning of spring (setsubun):
Setsubun is not a national holiday, but celebrated at shrines and temples nationwide.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 (national holiday)
National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinenbi):
According to the earliest Japanese history records, on this day in the year 660 BC the first Japanese emperor was crowned. This national holiday was established to nourish a love for the country and reflect on the establishment of the nation.

Sunday, 14 February 2010
Valentine’s Day:
In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day. It is not a national holiday.

Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Doll’s Festival (hina matsuri):
Also called girl’s festival.

Sunday, 14 March 2010
White Day:
The opposite of Valentine’s Day: Men give cakes or chocolates to women. It is not a national holiday.

Monday, 22 March 20 (national holiday)
Spring Eqinox Day (shunbun no hi):
Graves are visited and ancestors are worshipped during the week (ohigan) of the Vernal Equinox Day.

Thursday, 29 April 2010 (national holiday)
Showa Day (Showa no hi):
The birthday of former Emperor Showa. Before 2007, April 29 was known as Greenery Day (now celebrated on May 4). Due to the way the weekdays fall in 2010, Showa Day is an isolated holiday and not really part of Golden Week.

Monday, 3 May 2010 (national holiday)
Constitution Day (kenpo kinenbi):
A national holiday remembering the new constitution, which was put into effect after the war. Part of the Golden Week till 5 May.

Tuesday, 4 May 2010 (national holiday)
Greenery Day (midori no hi):
Until 2006, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29, the former Emperor Showa’s birthday, due to the emperor’s love for plants and nature. It is now celebrated on May 4. This national holiday is celebrated as a day to commune with nature and be grateful for its blessings.

Wednesday, 5 May 2010 (national holiday)
Children’s Day (kodomo no hi):
Also called boy’s festival, this is a day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness

Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Star Festival (tanabata):
Tanabata is a festival rather than a national holiday.

Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Festival of Souls (Obon):
Obon is a festival to commemorate deceased ancestors. although this is not an official national holiday, many offices are closed (Tokyo celebrates in July, while most of the country celebrates in August)

Monday, 19 July 2010(national holiday)
Ocean Day (umi no hi):
A recently introduced national holiday to celebrate and show gratitude for the blessings of the oceans and for hoping for the prosperity of the maritime nation that is Japan. The day marks the return of Emperor Meiji from a boat trip to Hokkaido in 1876.

Friday, 13 August 2010
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Festival of Souls (Obon):
Obon is a festival to commemorate deceased ancestors. although this is not an official national holiday, many offices are closed (Tokyo celebrates in July, while most of the country celebrates in August)

Monday, 20 September 2010 (national holiday)
Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi):
Respect for the elderly and long life are celebrated on this national holiday.

Thursday, 23 September 2010 (national holiday)
Autum Equinox Day (shubun no hi):
Graves are visited to honor one’s ancestors and remember the dead during the week (ohigan) of the Equinox Day.

Monday, 11 October 2010 (national holiday)
Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi):
On that day in 1964, the Olympic games of Tokyo were opened.

Wednesday, 3 November 2010 (national holiday)
Culture Day (bunka no hi):
A day for promotion of culture and the love of freedom and peace. On culture day, schools and the government award selected persons for their special, cultural achievements.

Monday, 15 November 2010
Seven-Five-Three (shichigosan):
A festival for children, Shichigosan is not a national holiday but a traditional festival.

Tuesday, 23 November 2010 (national holiday)
Labour Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi):
A national holiday for honoring labour.

Thursday, 23 December 2010 (national holiday)
Emperor’s Birthday (tenno no tanjobi):
The birthday of the current emperor is always a national holiday. If the emperor changes, the national holiday changes to the birthday date of the new emperor.

Friday, 24 December 2010
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Christmas:
Christmas is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated by an increasing number of Japanese.

Friday, 31 December 2010
New Year’s Eve (omisoka):
December 31 is officially a holiday for bank and government employees only. But for many offices, 25th will be the last working day until 4th January.