were first established by the of 1948. It has since been amended 11 times to add additional holidays, the latest being in 2018, for a total of 16 recognized holidays.
Article 3 of this law specifies that when a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day shall become a public holiday, known as . Article 3 also determines that any day that falls between two other national holidays shall also become a holiday, known as . 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.
Although it is not an official holiday, most companies voluntarily designate a holiday from December 29 to January 3, or, depending on the industry, from Christmas Eve to January 5. This case is unique in Asia.
Table of Japanese holidays
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Name
! Date
! Remarks
!
|-
|
| January 1
| This national holiday was established in 1948, as a day to celebrate the new year. New Year's Day marks the beginning of Japan's most important holiday season, the , which generally refers to the first one, three or seven days of the year. Although not prescribed by law, many workplaces are closed from December 29 to January 3. Prior to 1948, New Year's Day was a national holiday on which the imperial worship ceremony known as took place. Japanese New Year celebrations are also held on January 1 and a bit after based on the Tenpō calendar.
|
|-
|
| Second Monday of January
| This national holiday was established in 1948 as a day to congratulate and encourage people who have reached the age of maturity (20) during the year. Cities and towns throughout the nation hold ceremonies for these people. Originally observed on January 15, in 2000 it was changed to the second Monday of January in accordance with the Happy Monday System.
|
{|class="wikitable sortable" style=margin:auto;table-layout:fixed;text-align:center
|- valign=bottom
!Names
!style=max-width:6em|2018
!style=max-width:6em|2019
!style=max-width:6em|2020
!style=max-width:6em|2021
!style=max-width:6em|2022
!style=max-width:6em|2023
!style=max-width:6em|2024
!style=max-width:6em|2025
!style=max-width:6em|2026
|-
!New Year's Day (Japanese New Year)
| ||||||||||||||||
|-
!Coming of Age Day
| ||||||||||||||||
|-
!National Foundation Day
| ||||||||||||||||
|-
!The Emperor's Birthday
| ||||||||||||||||
|-
!Vernal Equinox Day
| ||||||||||||||||
|-
! Golden Week <br>(Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day)
| ||||||||||||||||
|-
! Marine Day
| ||||