Obon (お盆) is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. Thus, New Year's Day, for example, was celebrated at the beginning of spring, as it is in modern China, Korea, and Vietnam. In Kyoto, you can eat and drink below the spire of Kyoto Tower atop the Kyoto Tower Hotel. At Farm Tomita, the landscape blooms into broad ribbons of pink, orange, yellow and purple from mid- to late July. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. The vernal equinox generally falls on March 20 or March 21. Bring on the summer heat by visiting Japan's biggest summer festivals, or escape to the Japanese Alps for picturesque strolls and cooler climates. To eat, you have to first catch the noodles (with chopsticks) as they flow past in water through a bamboo half-pipe. Japanese accommodation is an experience in itself. Japanese holiday calendar 2021. Thanks in advance for your help. We also provide Japan holiday calendar for 2019 in Word, Excel, PDF and printable online formats. Information!! August 10, 2019 (Sat) – August 18, 2019 (Sun) The exact date of the holiday is announced on the first weekday of February of the previous year. In cities and towns across the country, floats are paraded, people get kitted out in their colourful yukata (cotton kimono), food stalls cram the streets, fireworks explode, and the beer and sake flows. 2019 Public Holidays Japan Service. raj20679. Summer holiday. Cool Things to Do in Tokyo: 2019 Hidden Gems. In order to accommodate the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021, Japan has decided to shuffle the dates of some of its national holidays. From late May to early September Japan’s beer gardens open, attracting the weary after-work crowd, party groups, students, families and others looking to stave off the heat and have a cheap evening out. And on the island of Sado-ga-shima from 21 to 23 August, the Kodō Drummers wow music lovers at the Earth Celebration. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives. In the capital, the big one is the Sumida-gawa Fireworks Festival  on the last Saturday in July. In Tokyo, this tends to be around the 15th of August, but this varies across companies and regions. Japan Hotel + Flights . Summer is perfect for hiking one of the prefecture’s multiple mountains, and for exploring its remote and rugged national parks, many of which become inaccessible during the colder months. As special arrangement for the 2020 Summer Olympics, the 2020 dates for Marine Day, Sports Day, and Mountain Day were moved to July 23, July 24, and August 10 respectively. Thanks in advance for your help. Summer is a great time to take a stroll in the streets, wearing summer yukata, viewing fireworks (hanabi), dancing in the parade, and tasting delicious local foods. [gov] Many Japanese companies and government offices traditionally close this day. Blogs About Japan. [8][7], Events of imperial mourning and celebration. The autumnal equinox generally falls on September 22 or September 23. Tokyo, Japan. Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called, This national holiday was established in 2007 as a day to reflect on the events of the, This national holiday was established in 1948, to commemorate the day on which Japan's postwar, This national holiday is celebrated as a day to commune with nature and be grateful for its blessings. Re: Japan School Holidays 2019 . This is also the usual timing for employees in Japanese companies to take their annual (paid) holidays. I have googled endlessly and can't find anything. You can also add a rental car and experiences to your package. Cities and towns throughout the nation hold ceremonies for these people. Prior to Japan's adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1873, the dates of holidays were based on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. If eating your noodles from a plate is too easy, look out for nagashi-sōmen (flowing noodles) setups at some restaurants and festivals. Why one travel writer supports airlines grounding emotional support animals. It’s best not to expect fine dining or, indeed, a garden. People do climb outside the official season, though authorities caution against this as there are fewer facilities and weather can be unpredictable. Prior to the establishment of this holiday, November 23 was celebrated as an imperial harvest festival called, April 10, 1959: Marriage of Crown Prince Akihito, June 9, 1993: Marriage of Crown Prince Naruhito, This page was last edited on 8 January 2021, at 01:55. Always have cash in hand because Japan is a cash-based society. Yet, this experience really comes down to the company regarding how many day… Greenery Day falls during, This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. These are usually all-you-can-eat-and-drink affairs, with beer, barbecue and buffet food the staples. Otherwise, it’s best to just embrace the experience. Tokyo, Japan. One day in Tokyo - Trip Plan Itinerary Recommendation. Is anyone able to tell me the exact dates for the school holidays in SUMMER 2019 in Japan? With vending machines at the summit, free wi-fi hotspots along the climb, and a few hundred thousand people traipsing up and down the volcano each summer, this is hardly the place for getting away from it all. It was updated in June 2019. Originally held on July 20, the holiday was changed to be celebrated on the third Monday of July in accordance with the, This national holiday was established in 2014 (and first held in 2016), as a day on which to appreciate Japan's mountains. I have googled endlessly and can't find anything. Japan's summer festivals and fireworks. [1], The national holidays in 2016–2020 are as follows.[3]. Always carry hand sanitizers with you. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. In Northern Honshū there are unusual feats of strength – from 3 to 6 August people balance long bamboo poles strung with lanterns on their heads and shoulders for the Akita Kantō Matsuri. mostly from July 27th to Aug 31st. 178 of 1948) December 31 to January 3. It is difficult to travel in Japan during summer and not find yourself caught up in a matsuri (festival) of some sort. Japan Summer Tours are lively, beautiful, and culturally rich. Fuji: Trek. Many events happen in mid-August during O-bon, the festival for honouring one’s ancestral spirits. For a cooling dessert, try a bowl of kakigōri – a fluffy hill of shaved ice flavoured with sweet syrup, sometimes drizzled with condensed milk or topped with sweet beans, fruit and a scoop of ice cream. The chilled noodles are served with a dipping sauce and sides such as chopped cucumber, ham, tomatoes and shredded egg. If that’s not enough dancing for you, head to the town of Gūjo-Hachiman  in the mountains north of Nagoya. On these days, most sightseeing areas and central shopping centers will be filled with people. According to railway operators, the rate for unreserved seating areas on the Tohoku… To avoid the biggest crowds, steer clear of O-bon week and school holidays, or try for a weekday. It is intended to coincide with the Bon Festival vacation time, giving Japanese people an opportunity to appreciate Japan's mountains.[9][10]. The royals greeted well-wishers for about 30 minutes. Yotei-zan, Rishiri-zan, Daisetsuzan National Park  and Shiretoko National Park  are just a handful of the many outdoorsy options. Official climbing season for Mt Fuji  runs from July to mid-September. The above is the list of 2019 public holidays declared in Japan which includes federal, regional government holidays and popular observances. When the sultry summer air gets too much, make for the milder climes of Hokkaidō, Japan’s northernmost island. Similarly, the term Silver Week is used to make up the consecutive holidays in September. Due to Akihito's 2019 birthday being after his abdication but Naruhito's before his accession, … Originally established in 1989 and held annually on April 29 (the late Shōwa Emperor's birthday), in 2007 Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 was renamed "Shōwa Day" (see above.) Some may be able to take several days of leave, while others may only be eligible for a few or none at all. An all-in evening of food and booze typically costs between ¥3500 and ¥4000 (around US$32), though you can opt to pay as you go instead. 9. The Japanese school year in Japan begins in April. On August 1, 2019, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko traveled to Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture to spend their summer holiday at Suzaki Imperial Villa. Traveling to Kyoto from Osaka: One day trip. Summer vacation in Japan can be a riot for those willing to put up with some heat and humidity. Japan has sixteen public holidays each year. The festival has traditional dancing, firefly watching, and fireworks, too. This article was originally published in 2015. The national holidays that make up the Golden Week are Shōwa Day (29 April), Constitution Memorial Day (3 May), Greenery Day (4 May) and Children’s Day (5 May). Additionally, any day that falls between two other national holidays shall also become a holiday, known as kokumin no kyūjitsu (国民の休日, literally "citizens' holiday"). School is out from July 20 through Aug. 31, and the Japanese make the most of … postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, List of Japanese anniversaries and memorial days, National holidays trace roots to China, ancients, harvests, "Public Holidays and Annual Events in Japan", "Outline of the act regarding special national holidays in 2019 for the Emperor's Ascension to the Throne and the Enthronement Ceremony", "Coronavirus Cases in Japan by Prefecture", "「海の日」あるなら…「山の日」も、１６年から : 政治 : 読売新聞（YOMIURI ONLINE）", "8月11日「山の日」に＝16年から、改正祝日法成立 （時事通信） - Yahoo!ニュース", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Public_holidays_in_Japan&oldid=999008061, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles with Japanese-language sources (ja), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day to celebrate the new year. The first Silver Week occurred in 2009 where Japanese get to enjoy a five-day holiday. Japan is famous with the number of holidays. Due to Akihito's 2019 birthday being after his abdication but Naruhito's before his accession, this holiday was not celebrated in 2019. Dear customers, Thanks for your interest in travelling to Japan with JTB – the Japan Specialist. May 4, sandwiched between Constitution Memorial Day on May 3 and Children's Day on May 5, was an annual example of such a holiday until it was replaced by Greenery Day in 2007. Any season is a good season for eating in Japan, but each has its specialities. 15 Best Things to Do in Tokyo. Japan is a safe country for travelers, but practice caution when you're on a Japan tour as much as you would back home. [substitute_51] This is a substitute day. [substitute_81] This is a substitute day. Summer is also when Alpine wildflowers make their appearance and the stunning flower fields of Furano  come to life. 9. With the Olympics and Paralympics postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government left this change in place for 2020 and passed an amendment to the Olympic and Paralympic Special Measures Act to make a corresponding change to the holidays in 2021, moving them to July 22, July 23, and August 9 respectively. With the Summer Olympics and Paralympics rescheduled to 2021, the dates for Marine Day, Sports Day, and Mountain Day are adjusted for 2021 to be July 22, July 23, and August 9 respectively. This article introduces information on national and consecutive holidays for 2020 and 2021. In Tokyo, Forest Beer Garden is a popular spot located in the Meiji-jingu (Meiji Shrine) outer garden. Save. From 1872 to 1948, February 11 was known as, The birthday of the reigning emperor has been a national holiday since 1868. ... Visit the three japanese summer festival Japanese holidays in 2019 2019年 03月26日 . If you’d like to avoid the crowds and enjoy sightseeing comfortably, we suggest avoiding these holidays. The challenge is … 1 post. It commemorates the November 3, 1946 announcement of the, This national holiday was established in 1948 as an occasion for praising labor, celebrating production and giving one other thanks. Preparing okonomiyaki, a festival favourite. A provision of the law establishes that when a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day shall become a public holiday, known as furikae kyūjitsu (振替休日, "compensatory public holiday", literally "substitute holiday"). Among the summer big-hitters are Kyoto’s famous Gion Matsuri, which runs for the whole month of July; and Osaka’s Tenjin Matsuri, on 24 and 25 July. Report inappropriate content . Enjoy the bright sunny days of summer in Japan by trying some of the things above or a tour! In 2014, the House of Councillors decided to add Mountain Day (山の日, Yama no Hi) to the Japanese calendar on August 11, after lobbying by the Japanese Alpine Club. About 250 people welcomed the imperial family at Shimoda Station. Detailed introducti… 1 post. For the price-conscious traveller, consider bundling your flights and hotels together with our Japan Holiday Packages. Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), yaki-soba (fried noodles), tako-yaki (battered, fried octopus pieces), okonomiyaki (fried savoury ‘pancakes’) and ika-yaki (grilled squid on skewers) are all among the typical festival treats. It is intended to coincide with the vacation time usually given during the, This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day to respect the elderly and celebrate a long life. With the Japanese imperial transition, the Emperor's Birthday was moved from December 23 to February 23 (the respective birthdays of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Emperor Naruhito). The next term starts around July 20 and the final term begins in early January and ends in March. Or go west to see fireworks light up the Kanmon Straits separating Honshū and Kyūshū on 13 August. Commonly called Obon in Japanese, the summer holiday period—typically between August 11 and 16—is a time when the spirits of deceased family members are said to return to the realm of the living and revisit their loved ones. These changes took effect in 2007. Mt. The Sapporo Summer Festival runs from late July to mid-August and centres on a beer garden that seats around 13,000 people. In summer, Japan becomes one of the best summer destinations in the world highlighting its mind-blowing tradtional festivals & events, beautiful flower fields and gardens. Soap is not available everywhere. National and other holidays observed by the Bank 2020 The thought of slurping down a cold noodle may not appeal to some, but it is a surprisingly refreshing meal. 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