Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Public Holidays
Japan has 15 national holidays. When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following
Monday is taken as a holiday. If that Monday is already a holiday, the following day be-
comes a holiday as well. And, if two weekdays (say, Tuesday and Thursday) are holidays,
the day in between (Wednesday) will also become a holiday.
Ganjitsu
(New Year's Day) 1 January
Seijin-no-hi
(Coming-of-Age Day) Second Monday in January
Kenkoku Kinem-bi
(National Foundation Day) 11 February
Shumbun-no-hi
(Spring Equinox) 20 or 21 March
Shōwa-no-hi
(Shōwa Emperor's Day) 29 April
Kempō Kinem-bi
(Constitution Day) 3 May
Midori-no-hi
(Green Day) 4 May
Kodomo-no-hi
(Children's Day) 5 May
Umi-no-hi
(Marine Day) Third Monday in July
Keirō-no-hi
(Respect-for-the-Aged Day) Second Monday in September
Shūbun-no-hi
(Autumn Equinox) 22 or 23 September
Taiiku-no-hi
(Health-Sports Day) Second Monday in October
Bunka-no-hi
(Culture Day) 3 November
Kinrō Kansha-no-hi
(Labour Thanksgiving Day) 23 November
Tennō Tanjōbi
(Emperor's Birthday) 23 December
Taxes & Refunds
There is a 5% consumption tax on retail purchases in Japan. Visitors on a short-stay visa
can, however, avoid this tax on purchases made at major department stores and duty-free
stores such as the Kyoto Handicraft Center. For a refund on purchases, check first that the
