Time for a party? 休日

In this blog post, you will be able to find the most important holidays in addition to a few helpful tips and tricks that you as an ex-pat (in Japan) will be able to use during some holidays. 

Good to know/ tips and tricks;

-> Shops, restaurants, and more are mostly open on public holidays, except New Years. If a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday also becomes a public holiday.

-> If you're living abroad, it's possible that you won't be able to find the treats that make your holiday nostalgic, or that you can't celebrate it on the same day that you're used to because you need to work. Try not to lose sight of what the holiday is really about, and celebrate when you have the time.

-> Try to reach out to other expats and organize a little party. Everyone can bring their favorite dish and it's a great way to meet new people and to not be alone on a holiday.

The first half of January;

January 1, New Year (shogatsu):

This is the most important public holiday in Japan. It's a national holiday and the start of the main holiday season in Japan. This holiday can be on January 1-3, 1-7, or January 1-20.

Second Monday of January;

Coming of Age (seijin no hi):

This national holiday celebrates all people who reach the age of 20 this year.

February 11;

National foundation day (kenkoku kinenbi no hi):

This national holiday commemorates the founding of the nation. The first Japanese emperor was crowned (in the year 660 BC)

April 29;

Showa Day (Showa no hi):

As of 2007, April 29 was known as Greenery Day (now celebrated on May 4). This day is the beginning of the Golden Week. Normally people are free from April 29 to May 5.

May 5;

Children's Day (kodomo no hi):

Previously this day was known as 'boys day'. This day is now called 'Children's Day' because only 'boys day' was politically incorrect.

Third Monday of July

Ocean Day (umi no hi)

This is a national holiday as a day of thanks for what the sea offers Japan.

Third Monday of September;

Respect for old age (keiro no hi):

This day became a national holiday in 1966. The Japanese media focus on the oldest inhabitants and honor them.

Second Monday in October;

National Sports Day (taiiku no hi):

On that day in 1964, the Tokyo Olympics opened. On this day you should enjoy some sports.

November 23;

Labor Thanksgiving Day (kinro kansha no hi):

A national holiday for honoring labor. Before that on this day there was a harvest festival called niinamesai.

Bibliography; 

Mineta, G. B. (2014, 25 december). Tips for Celebrating the Holidays in Japan. GaijinPot Blog. https://blog.gaijinpot.com/celebrating-christmas-in-japan/ 

Public Holidays and Annual Events. (z.d.). Japan-Guide. Geraadpleegd op 25 april 2021, van https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html 

Wikipedia-bijdragers. (2021, 26 februari). Japanse feestdag. Wikipedia. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanse_feestdag 

Lotte Eelbode