Jan 1	元日 ganjitsu New Year's Day	New year is celebrated
2nd Monday in Jan	成人の日 seijin no hi Coming of Age Day	Those who are 20 become adults
Feb 11	建国記念の日 kenkoku kinen no hi National Foundation Day	Japan's legendary first emperor, Jimmu, is said to have began his reign
Mar 20 or 21	春分の日 shunbun no hi Vernal Equinox Day
Ap ri l 29	緑の日 midori no hi Greenery Day	Celebrate nature's goodness & former Emperor Showa's birthday
May 3	憲法記念日 kenpou kinenbi Constitution Day	Commemorates the Costitution of Japan
May 4	( Added Holiday )	Golden Week wouldn't be Golden Week if you had to work in-between two consecutive holidays!
May 5	子どもの日 kodomo no hi Children's Day	This is the holiday where Carp kites are put up outside
July 20	海の日 umi no hi Marine Day	Starting in 1996 this holiday recognizes the importance the ocean holds for Japan
Sept 15	敬老の日 keirou no hi Respect for the Aged Day	Celbrates the elderly
Sept 23 or 24	秋分の日 shuubun no hi Autumnal Equinox Day
2nd Monday in Oct	体育の日 tai iku no hi Health Sports Day	Promotes sports and health
Nov 3	文化の日 bunka no hi Culture Day	Celebrates culture
Nov 23	勤労感謝の日 kinrou kansha no hi Labor Thanksgiving day	For as hard as the Japanese work, they need this and more!
Dec 23	天皇誕生日 tennou tanjoubi Emperor's Birthday	Japan's present Emperor, Akihito's birthday

National Holidays

Jan 1. Ganjitsu (New Year's Day) Unlike many western countries, New Year's Day is, by far, the most important and widely celebrated holiday in Japan. On this day, lots of people have family reunions, pay their first visit of the year to a temple or shrine, and eat food especially made for this occasion.

Jan 15. Seijin no hi (Coming-of-Age Day) This is the day when young people who reached the legal age of twenty during the past year celebrate by attending ceremonies run by the municipal government.

Feb 11 Kenkokukinen no hi (National foundation Day) Patriotic commemoration of the legendary enthronement in 660 of Japan's first emperor, Jinmu.

Mar 21 (or 20) Shunbun no hi (Vernal Equinox Day) March 21 is the central day of a seven-day Buddhist memorial service. During this week, Buddhist temples hold special services and people visit their ancestors' graves.

Apr 29. Midori no hi (Green Day) In 1989, April 29 was designated as a day for nature appreciation. Prior to that , it was observed as the Emperor Showa's birthday.

May 3 Kenpokinen no hi (Constitution Day) This anniversary marks the establishment of the present Constitution of Japan that was written after World War II.

May 5 Kodomo no hi (Children's Day) This is a day that people wish for the happiness and the health of Japanese children. Carp streamers are hoisted, and samurai warrior dolls are set up.

July 20 Umi no hi

Sep 15 Keiro no hi (Respect-for-the-Aged Day) This is a day for honoring Japan's elderly and celebrating their longevity. This day was set aside to commemorate the enactment of Rojin Fukushi Ho (the Law concerning Welfare for the Aged) in 1966.

Sep 23 Shubun no hi (Autumnal Equinox Day) The central day of a seven-day Buddhist memorial service. Similar to Shunbun no hi (mar 21), temples hold special services and people visit their ancestors' graves.

Oct 10 Taiku no hi (Sports Day) This national holiday was established in commemoration of the Tokyo Olympic Games( Oct 10-24, 1964). Lots of sports events are held on this day.

Nov 3 Bunka no hi (Culture Day) Bunka no hi was established to promote an awareness of the arts and sciences and also to show appreciation to those who contribute to the advancement of culture. Medals are granted to those people.

Nov 23 Kinrokansha no hi (Labor Thanksgiving) On this day people express gratitude to each other for their hard work throughout the year and for the fruits of the hard work.

Dec 23 Tenno tanjo bi It is customary on this day for the Imperial Family to appear on the balcony of the Imperial palace to exchange greetings with the public.