Japanese calendar types have included a range of official and unofficial systems. At present, Japan uses theGregorian calendar together with year designations stating theyear of the reign of the current Emperor.[1] The written form starts with the year, then the month and finally the day, coinciding with theISO 8601 standard.
For example, February 16, 2003, can be written as either2003年2月16日 or平成15年2月16日 (the latter following the regnal year system).年 readsnen and means "year",月 readsgatsu and means "month", and finally日 (usually) readsnichi (its pronunciation depends on the number that precedes it, see below) and means "day".
Prior to the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1873, the reference calendar was based on thelunisolarChinese calendar.
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Over the centuries, Japan has used up to four systems for designating years:[2] the Chinesesexagenary cycle, theera name (元号,gengō) system, theJapanese imperial year (皇紀 (kōki) or紀元 (kigen)) and the WesternCommon Era (Anno Domini) (西暦,seireki) system. In the 21st century, however, the era system (gengō) and Western system (seireki) are the only ones still widely used.
ThelunisolarChinese calendar was introduced to Japan via Korea in the middle of the sixth century. After that, Japan calculated its calendar using various Chinese calendar procedures, and from 1685, using Japanese variations of the Chinese procedures.[3][4] Itssexagenary cycle was often used together with era names, as in the 1729 Ise calendar shown above, which is for "the 14th year of Kyōhō, tsuchi-no-to no tori", i.e.,己酉.
In modern times, the old Chinese calendar is virtually ignored; celebrations of theLunar New Year are thus limited toChinese and other Asian immigrant communities. However, its influence can still be felt in the idea of "lucky and unlucky days" (described below), the traditional meanings behind the name of each month, and other features of modern Japanese calendars.
Theera name (元号,gengō) system was also introduced from China, and has been in continuous use since AD 701.[5] The reigningEmperor chooses the name associated with theirregnal eras; before 1868, multiple names were chosen throughout the same emperor's rule, such as to commemorate a major event.[6] For instance, theEmperor Kōmei's reign (1846–1867) was split into seven eras, one of which lastedonly one year.[6] Starting with Kōmei's son theEmperor Meiji in 1868, there has only been onegengō per emperor representing their entire reign.
Thenengō system remains in wide use, especially on official documents and government forms.[7] It is also in general use in private and personal business.
The present era,Reiwa, formally began on 1 May 2019.[8][9][10] The name of the new era was announced by theJapanese government on 1 April 2019, a month prior toNaruhito's accession to the throne.[11][12][10] The previous era,Heisei, came to an end on 30 April 2019, after Japan's former emperor,Akihito, abdicated the throne.[8][9][10] Reiwa is the first era name whose characters come from a Japanese root source; prior eras' names were taken from Chinese classic literature.[13][8][14]
TheJapanese imperial year (皇紀 (kōki) or紀元 (kigen)) is based on the date of the legendary founding of Japan byEmperor Jimmu in 660 BC.[15] For instance, 660 BC is counted asKōki 1.
It was first used in the official calendar in 1873.[16]Kōki 2600 (1940) was a special year. The1940 Summer Olympics andTokyo Expo were planned as anniversary events, but were canceled due to theSecond Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese navalZero Fighter was named after this year. After theSecond World War, theUnited States occupied Japan, and stopped the use ofkōki by officials.[17]
Today,kōki is rarely used, except in some judicial contexts.[17] Usage ofkōki dating can be anationalist signal, pointing out that the history of Japan's imperial family is longer than that ofChristianity, the basis of theAnno Domini (AD) system.
The 1898 law determining the placement ofleap years[18] is officially based on thekōki years, using a formula that is effectively equivalent to that of theGregorian calendar: if thekōki year number is evenly divisible by four, it is a leap year, unless the number minus 660 is evenly divisible by 100 and not by 400. Thus, for example, the yearKōki 2560 (AD 1900) is divisible by 4; but 2560 − 660 = 1900, which is evenly divisible by 100 and not by 400, sokōki 2560 (1900) was not a leap year, just as in most of the rest of the world.
The WesternCommon Era (Anno Domini) (西暦,seireki) system, based on thesolarGregorian calendar, was first introduced in 1873 as part of the Japan'sMeiji period modernization.[19][3]
Nowadays, Japanese people know it as well as the regnal eras.
There are four seasons corresponding to the West's:
| English name | Japanese name | Romanisation | Traditional dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 春 | haru | February 5 – May 6 |
| Summer | 夏 | natsu | May 7 – August 8 |
| Fall | 秋 | aki | August 9 – November 7 |
| Winter | 冬 | fuyu | November 8 – February 4 |
However, there is also a traditional system of72 microseasons (候,kō), consisting of24 solar terms (節気,sekki) each divided into three sets of five days,[20][21][22] and with specially-named days orZassetsu (雑節) indicating the start and end of each. This system was adapted from the Chinese in 1685 by court astronomer Shibukawa Shunkai, rewriting the names to better match the local climate and nature in his native Japan.[20][21] Eachkō has traditional customs, festivals, foods, flowers and birds associated with it:[22][23]
| Microseason Number | Traditional Dates | Japanese Name | Romanization | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risshun (立春, Beginning of Spring) | ||||
| 1 | February 4–8 | 東風解凍 | Harukaze kōri o toku | The east wind melts the thick ice. |
| 2 | February 9–13 | 黄鶯睍睆 | Kōō kenkan su | Bush warblers sing in the countryside. |
| 3 | February 14–18 | 魚上氷 | Uo kōri o izuru | Ice cracks, allowing fish to emerge. |
| Usui (雨水, Rain Water) | ||||
| 4 | February 19–23 | 土脉潤起 | Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru | Rain falls, moistening the soil. |
| 5 | February 24–28 | 霞始靆 | Kasumi hajimete tanabiku | Mist lies over the land. |
| 6 | March 1–5 | 草木萌動 | Sōmoku mebae izuru | Trees and plants put forth buds. |
| Keichitsu (啓蟄, Insects Awakening) | ||||
| 7 | March 6–10 | 蟄虫啓戸 | Sugomori mushito o hiraku | Hibernating insects emerge. |
| 8 | March 11–15 | 桃始笑 | Momo hajimete saku | Peach trees begin to bloom. |
| 9 | March 16–20 | 菜虫化蝶 | Namushi chō to naru | Cabbage whites emerge from their cocoons. |
| Shunbun (春分, Spring Equinox) | ||||
| 10 | March 21–25 | 雀始巣 | Suzume hajimete sukū | Sparrows begin building their nests. |
| 11 | March 26–30 | 櫻始開 | Sakura hajimete saku | Cherry blossoms begin to bloom. |
| 12 | March 31–April 4 | 雷乃発声 | Kaminari sunawachi koe o hassu | Thunder rumbles far away. |
| Seimei (清明, Fresh Green) | ||||
| 13 | April 5–9 | 玄鳥至 | Tsubame kitaru | Swallows return from the south. |
| 14 | April 10–14 | 鴻雁北 | Kōgan kaeru | Wild geese fly north. |
| 15 | April 15–19 | 虹始見 | Niji hajimete arawaru | Rainbows begin to appear. |
| Kokuu (穀雨, Grain Rain) | ||||
| 16 | April 20–24 | 葭始生 | Ashi hajimete shōzu | Reeds begin to sprout. |
| 17 | April 25–29 | 霜止出苗 | Shimo yamite nae izuru | Rice seedlings grow. |
| 18 | April 30–May 4 | 牡丹華 | Botan hana saku | Peonies bloom. |
| Rikka (立夏, Beginning of Summer) | ||||
| 19 | May 5–9 | 蛙始鳴 | Kawazu hajimete naku | Frogs begin croaking. |
| 20 | May 10–14 | 蚯蚓出 | Mimizu izuru | Worms wriggle to the surface. |
| 21 | May 15–20 | 竹笋生 | Takenoko shōzu | Bamboo shoots sprout. |
| Shōman (小満, Lesser Fullness) | ||||
| 22 | May 21–25 | 蚕起食桑 | Kaiko okite kuwa o hamu | Silkworms feast on mulberry leaves. |
| 23 | May 26–30 | 紅花栄 | Benibana sakau | Safflowers bloom in abundance. |
| 24 | May 31–June 5 | 麦秋至 | Mugi no toki itaru | Barley ripens, ready to be harvested. |
| Bōshu (芒種, Grain in Ear) | ||||
| 25 | June 6–10 | 蟷螂生 | Kamakiri shōzu | Praying mantises hatch and come forth. |
| 26 | June 11–15 | 腐草為螢 | Kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru | Fireflies fly out from moist grass. |
| 27 | June 16–20 | 梅子黄 | Ume no mi kibamu | Plums ripen, turning yellow. |
| Geshi (夏至, Summer Solstice) | ||||
| 28 | June 21–26 | 乃東枯 | Natsukarekusa karuru | Prunella flowers wither. |
| 29 | June 27–July 1 | 菖蒲華 | Ayame hana saku | Irises bloom. |
| 30 | July 2–6 | 半夏生 | Hange shōzu | Crowdipper sprouts. |
| Shōsho (小暑, Lesser Heat) | ||||
| 31 | July 7–11 | 温風至 | Atsukaze itaru | Warm winds blow. |
| 32 | July 12–16 | 蓮始開 | Hasu hajimete hiraku | Lotuses begin to bloom. |
| 33 | July 17–22 | 鷹乃学習 | Taka sunawachi waza o narau | Young hawks learn to fly. |
| Taisho (大暑, Greater Heat) | ||||
| 34 | July 23–28 | 桐始結花 | Kiri hajimete hana o musubu | Paulownia trees begin to produce seeds. |
| 35 | July 29–August 2 | 土潤溽暑 | Tsuchi uruōte mushi atsushi | The ground is damp, the air hot and humid. |
| 36 | August 3–7 | 大雨時行 | Taiu tokidoki furu | Heavy rains fall. |
| Risshū (立秋, Beginning of Autumn) | ||||
| 37 | August 8–12 | 涼風至 | Suzukaze itaru | Cool winds blow. |
| 38 | August 13–17 | 寒蝉鳴 | Higurashi naku | Evening cicadas begin to sing. |
| 39 | August 18–22 | 蒙霧升降 | Fukaki kiri matō | Thick fog blankets the land. |
| Shosho (処暑, Shosho (End of Heat)) | ||||
| 40 | August 23–27 | 綿柎開 | Wata no hana shibe hiraku | Cotton bolls open. |
| 41 | August 28–September 1 | 天地始粛 | Tenchi hajimete samushi | The heat finally relents. |
| 42 | September 2–7 | 禾乃登 | Kokumono sunawachi minoru | Rice ripens. |
| Hakuro (白露, White Dew) | ||||
| 43 | September 8–12 | 草露白 | Kusa no tsuyu shiroshi | White dew shimmers on the grass. |
| 44 | September 13–17 | 鶺鴒鳴 | Sekirei naku | Wagtails begin to sing. |
| 45 | September 18–22 | 玄鳥去 | Tsubame saru | Swallows return to the south. |
| Shūbun (秋分, Autumnal Equinox) | ||||
| 46 | September 23–27 | 雷乃収声 | Kaminari sunawachi koe o osamu | Thunder comes to an end. |
| 47 | September 28–October 2 | 蟄虫坏戸 | Mushi kakurete to o fusagu | Insects close up their burrows. |
| 48 | October 3–7 | 水始涸 | Mizu hajimete karuru | Fields are drained of water. |
| Kanro (寒露, Cold Dew) | ||||
| 49 | October 8–12 | 鴻雁来 | Kōgan kitaru | Wild geese begin to fly back. |
| 50 | October 13–17 | 菊花開 | Kiku no hana hiraku | Chrysanthemums bloom. |
| 51 | October 18–22 | 蟋蟀在戸 | Kirigirisu to ni ari | Crickets chirp by the door. |
| Sōkō (霜降, First Frost) | ||||
| 52 | October 23–27 | 霜始降 | Shimo hajimete furu | Frost begins to form. |
| 53 | October 28–November 1 | 霎時施 | Kosame tokidoki furu | Drizzling rain falls gently. |
| 54 | November 2–6 | 楓蔦黄 | Momiji tsuta kibamu | Maple leaves and ivy turn yellow. |
| Rittō (立冬, Beginning of Winter) | ||||
| 55 | November 7–11 | 山茶始開 | Tsubaki hajimete hiraku | Sasanqua camellias begin to bloom. |
| 56 | November 12–16 | 地始凍 | Chi hajimete kōru | The land begins to freeze. |
| 57 | November 17–21 | 金盞香 | Kinsenka saku | Daffodils bloom. |
| Shōsetsu (小雪, Light Snow) | ||||
| 58 | November 22–26 | 虹蔵不見 | Niji kakurete miezu | Rainbows disappear. |
| 59 | November 27–December 1 | 朔風払葉 | Kitakaze konoha o harau | The north wind blows leaves off the trees. |
| 60 | December 2–6 | 橘始黄 | Tachibana hajimete kibamu | Tachibana citrus trees begin to turn yellow. |
| Taisetsu (大雪, Heavy Snow) | ||||
| 61 | December 7–11 | 閉塞成冬 | Sora samuku fuyu to naru | The skies stay cold as winter arrives. |
| 62 | December 12–16 | 熊蟄穴 | Kuma ana ni komoru | Bears hide away in their dens to hibernate. |
| 63 | December 17–21 | 鱖魚群 | Sake no uo muragaru | Salmon swim upstream en masse. |
| Tōji (冬至, Winter Solstice) | ||||
| 64 | December 22–26 | 乃東生 | Natsukarekusa shōzu | Prunella sprouts. |
| 65 | December 27–31 | 麋角解 | Sawashika no tsuno otsuru | Deer shed their antlers. |
| 66 | January 1–4 | 雪下出麦 | Yuki watarite mugi nobiru | Barley sprouts under the snow. |
| Shōkan (小寒, Lesser Cold) | ||||
| 67 | January 5–9 | 芹乃栄 | Seri sunawachi sakau | Parsley thrives. |
| 68 | January 10–14 | 水泉動 | Shimizu atataka o fukumu | Springs once frozen flow once more. |
| 69 | January 15–19 | 雉始雊 | Kiji hajimete naku | Cock pheasants begin to call. |
| Daikan (大寒, Greater Cold) | ||||
| 70 | January 20–24 | 款冬華 | Fuki no hana saku | Butterburs put forth buds. |
| 71 | January 25–29 | 水沢腹堅 | Sawamizu kōri tsumeru | Mountain streams gain a cover of thick ice. |
| 72 | January 30–February 3 | 鶏始乳 | Niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku | Hens begin to lay eggs. |
Zassetsu (雑節) is a collective term for special seasonal days within the 24sekki.
| Date | Kanji | Romaji | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 3 | 節分 | Setsubun | The eve ofRisshun by one definition. |
| March 18–March 24 | 春彼岸 | Haru higan | The seven days surroundingShunbun. |
| Vernal Equinox day | 春社日 | Haru shanichi | InShinto.彼岸中日 (Higan Chūnichi) inBuddhism. |
| May 2 | 八十八夜 | Hachijū hachiya | Literally meaning 88 nights (sinceRisshun). |
| June 11 | 入梅 | Nyūbai | Literally meaning enteringtsuyu. |
| July 2 | 半夏生 | Hangeshō | One of the 72Kō. Farmers take five days off in some regions. |
| July 15 | 中元 | Chūgen | Officially July 15. August 15 in many regions (Tsuki-okure). |
| July 20 | 夏の土用 | Natsu no doyō | Custom of eatingeel on this day. |
| September 1 | 二百十日 | Nihyaku tōka | Literally meaning 210 days (sinceRisshun). |
| September 11 | 二百二十日 | Nihyaku hatsuka | Literally meaning 220 days. |
| September 20–September 26 | 秋彼岸 | Aki higan | The seven days surroundingShūbun. |
| Autumal Equinox | 秋社日 | Aki shanichi | InShinto.彼岸中日 (Higan Chūnichi) inBuddhism. |
Shanichi dates can vary by as much as 5 days.Chūgen has a fixed day. All other days can vary by one day.
Manyzassetsu days occur in multiple seasons:
The termSetsubun (節分) originally referred to the eves ofRisshun (立春, 315°, the beginning of Spring),Rikka (立夏, 45°, the beginning of Summer),Risshū (立秋, 135°, the beginning of Autumn), andRittō (立冬, 225°, the beginning of Winter); however, it now only refers to the day beforeRisshun.
As mentioned above, the Japanese calendar used to be based on an adaptation of the Chinese lunar calendar, which begins 3 to 7 weeks later than the Gregorian. In other words, the Gregorian "first month" and the Chinese "first month" do not align, which is important in historical contexts.
The "traditional names" for each month, shown below, are still used by some in fields such aspoetry; of the twelve,Shiwasu is still widely used today. The opening paragraph of a letter or the greeting in a speech might borrow one of these names to convey a sense of the season. Some, such asYayoi andSatsuki, do double duty asgiven names (for women). These month names also appear from time to time onjidaigeki, contemporary television shows and movies set in theEdo period or earlier.
The Japanese names for the modernGregorian months literally translate to "first month", "second month", and so on. The corresponding number is combined with the suffix月 (-gatsu, "month"). The table below uses traditional numerals, but the use ofWestern numerals (１月,２月,３月, etc.) is common.
| English name | Common Japanese name | Traditional Japanese name |
|---|---|---|
| January | 一月 (ichigatsu) | Mutsuki (睦月, "Month of Love," alternatively "Month of Affection").[24] |
| February | 二月 (nigatsu) | Kisaragi (如月) orKinusaragi (衣更着, "Changing Clothes").[24] |
| March | 三月 (sangatsu) | Yayoi (弥生, "New Life").[24] |
| April | 四月 (shigatsu) | Uzuki (卯月, "u-no-hana month").[24] Theu-no-hana (卯の花) is a flower, of the genusDeutzia.[25] |
| May | 五月 (gogatsu) | Satsuki (皐月) orSanaetsuki (早苗月, "Early-rice-planting Month").[24] |
| June | 六月 (rokugatsu) | Minazuki (水無月, "Month of Water"). The無 character, which normally means "absent" or "there is no", isateji here, and is only used for thena sound. In this name thena is actually a possessive particle, sominazuki means "month of water", not "month without water", and this is in reference to the flooding of the rice fields, which require large quantities of water.[26] |
| July | 七月 (shichigatsu) | Fuzuki (文月, "Month of Erudition").[24] |
| August | 八月 (hachigatsu) | Hazuki (葉月, "Month of Leaves"). In old Japanese, the month was called葉落ち月 (Haochizuki, or "Month of Falling Leaves").[24] |
| September | 九月 (kugatsu) | Nagatsuki (長月, "The Long Month").[24] |
| October | 十月(jūgatsu) | Kannazuki orKaminazuki (神無月, "Month of the Gods"). The無 character, which normally means "absent" or "there is not", was here probably originally used as anateji for the possessive particlena, soKaminazuki may have originally meant "Month of the Gods", not "Month without Gods" (Kaminakizuki), similarly toMinatsuki, the "Month of Water".[27] However, by what may befalse etymology, the name became commonly interpreted to mean that, because in that month all theShintokami gather atIzumo shrine inIzumo Province (modern-dayShimane Prefecture), there are no gods in the rest of the country. Thus in Izumo Province, the month is calledKamiarizuki (神有月 or神在月, "Month with Gods").[28] Various other etymologies have also been suggested from time to time.[29] |
| November | 十一月(jūichigatsu) | Shimotsuki (霜月, "Month of Frost").[24] |
| December | 十二月(jūnigatsu) | Shiwasu (師走, "Priests Running"). This is in reference to priests being busy at the end of the year forNew Year's preparations and blessings.[24] |
Japan uses aseven-day week, aligned with the Western calendar. The seven-day week, with names for the days corresponding to the Latin system, was brought to Japan around AD 800 with theBuddhist calendar. The system was used for astrological purposes and little else until 1876.
Much like in multiple European languages, in which the names for weekdays are, partially or fully, based on what the Ancient Romans considered the seven visible planets, meaning the five visible planets and the sun and the moon, in The Far East the five visible planets are named after thefive Chinese elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth.) On the origin of the names of the days of the week, also seeEast Asian Seven Luminaries.
| Japanese | Romanization | Element (planet) | English name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 日曜日 | nichiyōbi | Sun | Sunday |
| 月曜日 | getsuyōbi | Moon | Monday |
| 火曜日 | kayōbi | Fire (Mars) | Tuesday |
| 水曜日 | suiyōbi | Water (Mercury) | Wednesday |
| 木曜日 | mokuyōbi | Wood (Jupiter) | Thursday |
| 金曜日 | kin'yōbi | Metal (Venus) | Friday |
| 土曜日 | doyōbi | Earth (Saturn) | Saturday |
Sunday and Saturday are regarded as "Western style take-a-rest days". Since the late 19th century, Sunday has been regarded as a "full-time holiday", and Saturday a half-time holiday (半ドン,han-don). These days have no religious meaning (except those who believe inChristianity orJudaism). Many Japanese retailers do not close on Saturdays or Sundays, because many office workers and their families are expected to visit the shops during the weekend. Sunday is traditionally the first day of the week.
Japanese people also use 10-day periods calledjun (旬). Each month is divided into two 10-day periods and a third with the remaining 8 to 11 days:
These are frequently used to indicate approximate times, for example, "the temperatures are typical of thejōjun of April"; "a vote on a bill is expected during thegejun of this month." The magazineKinema Junpo was originally published once everyjun (i.e. three times a month).[31]
The table below shows dates written with traditional numerals, but use of Arabic numerals (１日,２日,３日, etc.) is extremely common in everyday communication, almost the norm.
|
|
Each day of the month has a semi-systematic name. The days generally usekun (native Japanese)numeral readings up to ten, and thereafteron (Chinese-derived) readings, but there are some irregularities.
Tsuitachi is a worn-down form oftsuki-tachi (月立ち), literally "month start." The last day of the month was calledtsugomori, which means "Moon hidden." This classical word comes from the tradition of the lunisolar calendar.
The 30th was also traditionally calledmisoka, just as the 20th is calledhatsuka. Nowadays, the terms for the numbers 28–31 plusnichi are much more common. However,misoka is much used in contracts, etc., specifying that a payment should be made on or by the last day of the month, whatever the number is.New Year's Eve is known asŌmisoka (大晦日, big 30th), and that term is still in use.
As mentioned below, there is traditional belief that some days are lucky (kichijitsu) or unlucky. For example, there are some who will avoid beginning something on an unlucky day.[32]
The first day of April has broad significance in Japan. It marks the beginning of the government's fiscal year.[33] Many corporations follow suit. In addition, corporations often form or merge on that date. In recent years, municipalities have preferred it for mergers. On this date, many new employees begin their jobs, and it is the start of many real-estate leases. Theschool year begins on April 1.
Therokuyō (六曜) are a series of six days calculated from the date ofChinese calendar that supposedly predict whether there will be good or bad fortune during that day. Therokuyō are commonly found on Japanese calendars and are often used to plan weddings and funerals, though most people ignore them in ordinary life. Therokuyō are also known as therokki (六輝). In order, they are:
| Kanji | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 先勝 | Senshō | Good luck before noon, bad luck after noon. Good day for beginnings (in the morning). |
| 友引 | Tomobiki | Your friends may be "drawn-in" towards good and evil. Funerals are avoided on this day (tomo = friend,biki = pull, thus a funeral might pull friends toward the deceased). Typically crematoriums are closed this day. But, for instance, weddings are fine on this day. |
| 先負 | Senbu | Bad luck before noon, good luck after noon. |
| 仏滅 | Butsumetsu | Symbolizes the dayBuddha died. Considered the most unlucky day.[citation needed] Weddings are best avoided. SomeShinto shrines close their offices on this day. |
| 大安 | Taian | The most lucky day. Good day for weddings and events like shop openings. |
| 赤口 | Shakkō | Thehour of the horse (11 am to 1 pm) is lucky. The rest is bad luck. |
Therokuyō days are easily calculated from the Japanese lunisolar calendar. The first day of the first month is alwayssenshō, with the days following in the order given above until the end of the month. Thus, the 2nd day istomobiki, the 3rd issenbu, and so on. The 1st day of the 2nd month restarts the sequence attomobiki. The 3rd month restarts atsenbu, and so on for each month. The latter six months repeat the patterns of the first six, so the 1st of the 7th issenshō, the 1st of the 12th isshakkō and themoon-viewing day on the 15th of the 8th is alwaysbutsumetsu.
This system did not become popular in Japan until the end of the Edo period.
After World War II, the names of Japanese national holidays were completely changed because of the secular state principle (Article 20, The Constitution of Japan). Although many of them actually originated fromShinto,Buddhism and important events relating to the Japanese imperial family, it is not easy to understand the original meanings from the superficial and vague official names.
Notes: Single days between two national holidays are taken as a bank holiday. This applies to May 4, which is a holiday each year. When a national holiday falls on a Sunday the next day that is not a holiday (usually a Monday) is taken as a holiday.
| Date | English name | Official name | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | 元日 | Ganjitsu |
| Second Monday of January | Coming of Age Day | 成人の日 | Seijin no hi |
| February 11 | National Foundation Day† | 建国記念の日 | Kenkoku kinen no hi |
| February 23 | The Emperor's Birthday | 天皇誕生日 | Tennō tanjōbi |
| March 20 or 21 | Vernal Equinox Day | 春分の日 | Shunbun no hi |
| April 29 | Shōwa Day* | 昭和の日 | Shōwa no hi |
| May 3 | Constitution Memorial Day* | 憲法記念日 | Kenpō kinenbi |
| May 4 | Greenery Day* | みどりの日 | Midori no hi |
| May 5 | Children's Day* | こどもの日 | Kodomo no hi |
| Third Monday of July | Marine Day | 海の日 | Umi no hi |
| August 11 | Mountain Day | 山の日 | Yama no hi |
| Third Monday of September | Respect for the Aged Day | 敬老の日 | Keirō no hi |
| September 22 or 23 | Autumnal Equinox Day | 秋分の日 | Shūbun no hi |
| Second Monday of October | Sports Day | スポーツの日 | Supōtsu no hi |
| November 3 | Culture Day | 文化の日 | Bunka no hi |
| November 23 | Labour Thanksgiving Day | 勤労感謝の日 | Kinrō kansha no hi |
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(January 2023) |
The following are known as the five seasonal festivals (節句,sekku), also known asgosekku (五節句). Thesekku were made official holidays duringEdo period on Chineselunisolar calendar. The dates of these festivals are confused nowadays; some on the Gregorian calendar, others on "Tsuki-okure".
Notsekku:
In contrast to other East Asian countries such asChina,Vietnam,Korea andMongolia, Japan has almost completely forgotten theChinese calendar. Since 1876, January has been officially regarded as the "first month" even when setting the date of Japanese traditionalfolklore events (other months are the same: February as the second month, March as the third, and so on). But this system often brings a strong seasonal sense of gap since the event is 3 to 7 weeks earlier than in the traditional calendar. Modern Japanese culture has invented a kind of "compromised" way of setting dates for festivals calledTsuki-okure ("One-Month Delay") orChūreki ("The Eclectic Calendar").The festival is celebrated just one solar calendar month later than the date on the Gregorian calendar. For example, the Buddhist festival ofObon was the 15th day of the 7th month. In many places the religious services are held on 15 July. However, in some areas, the rites are normally held on 15 August, which is more seasonally close to the old calendar. (The general term "Obon holiday" always refers to the middle of August.) Although this is just de facto and customary, it is broadly used when setting the dates of many folklore events and religious festivals. ButJapanese New Year is the great exception. The date ofJapanese New Year is always 1 January.
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