Japan Holidays & Crowd Calendar (2026–2027)

Enter your travel dates. Each day shows Japan's public holidays, JR's official peak, busy and quiet seasons, and the periods when every Nozomi seat is reserved. Taiwan and Hong Kong holidays can be shown too.

Checked against the Cabinet Office, JR and the Taiwan and Hong Kong governments · October 2026

See all Japanese holidays 2026–2027 →

Your dates in JapanUp to 60 days, between January 2026 and December 2027.
Also show holidays ofOptional.
Days
Japanese holidays
JR peak or busy days
JR quiet days

Day by day

      JR's peak days coming up

        JR's seasons set reserved seat prices on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen and other trains; they are JR's own sign of busy and quiet days. Crowds also depend on the place and the time of day.

        How to use

        1. 1. Enter your datesThe day you arrive in Japan and the day you leave. Up to 60 days.
        2. 2. Choose your home (optional)Show Taiwan or Hong Kong holidays alongside Japan's.
        3. 3. Read each dayPublic holidays, weekends, JR's peak, busy and quiet seasons, and the all-reserved Nozomi periods.

        Japan's public holidays 2026 and 2027

        Holidays for 2028 are published by the Cabinet Office in February 2027. Obon in mid-August is not a public holiday, but many people travel then; JR's peak season covers it.

        20262027
        New Year's DayJan 1Jan 1
        Coming of Age DayJan 12Jan 11
        National Foundation DayFeb 11Feb 11
        Emperor's BirthdayFeb 23Feb 23
        Vernal Equinox DayMar 20Mar 21 (substitute holiday Mar 22)
        Showa DayApr 29Apr 29
        Constitution Day, Greenery Day, Children's DayMay 3–5 (substitute holiday May 6)May 3–5
        Marine DayJul 20Jul 19
        Mountain DayAug 11Aug 11
        Respect for the Aged DaySep 21Sep 20
        Autumnal Equinox DaySep 23 (Sep 22 is also a holiday)Sep 23
        Sports DayOct 12Oct 11
        Culture DayNov 3Nov 3
        Labor Thanksgiving DayNov 23Nov 23

        Sources: Cabinet Office: national holidays (Japanese)

        JR's busy and quiet seasons

        • Peak (April 2026 – March 2027): May 1–6, Aug 7–8 and 15–16, Sep 18–23, Dec 29–30, Jan 2–3.
        • Busy (April 2026 – March 2027): Jul 17–20, 24–26, 31; Aug 1–2, 5–6, 9, 11–14, 17, 21–23; Oct 9–12, 16–18, 23–25, 30–31; Nov 1, 6–8, 13–15, 20–23, 27–29; Dec 25–28, 31; Jan 4; Mar 19–31.
        • April 2027 – March 2028 (read from JR Central's official calendar image): peak Apr 28–May 5, Aug 10–11 and 15–16, Dec 29–30, Jan 3–4. Busy: Jul 16–19, 23–25, 30–31; Aug 1, 6–8, 12–14, 17, 20–22; Sep 17–20, 23–26; Oct 8–11, 15–17, 22–24, 29–31; Nov 5–7, 12–14, 19–23, 26–28; Dec 25–28, 31; Jan 2, 5; Mar 17–31.
        • Quiet: many weekdays in April–July, late August–September, December and January–early March.
        • All Nozomi seats reserved (announced for April 2026 – March 2027): Apr 24–May 6, Aug 7–16, Sep 18–23, Oct 10–12, Nov 21–23, 2026; Dec 25, 2026–Jan 5, 2027; Jan 9–11 and Mar 20–22, 2027.
        • These seasons apply to JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku and JR Kyushu and trips between them. JR East, the Hokuriku Shinkansen and some limited expresses follow different rules.

        Sources: JR East: seasonal limited express charges (Japanese), JR Shikoku: seasonal charges (Japanese), JR Central: all-reserved Nozomi periods

        FAQ

        When is Golden Week 2027?

        Japan's holidays are Apr 29 and May 3–5, 2027. JR's peak season is Apr 28–May 5, 2027 (read from JR Central's official calendar image).

        When is Obon 2027?

        Obon is mid-August and not a public holiday. JR's peak days in August 2027 are Aug 10–11 and 15–16, with busy days around them (read from JR Central's official calendar image).

        When is the busiest time to travel in Japan?

        By JR's own calendar for April 2026 to March 2027: May 1–6, Aug 7–8 and 15–16, Sep 18–23, Dec 29–30 and Jan 2–3.

        What does 'all Nozomi seats reserved' mean?

        On those days the Nozomi on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen has no non-reserved cars, so you need a seat reservation. It is JR Central's sign of its busiest days.

        Are weekends busy in Japan?

        Often, especially for popular sights and day trips. JR counts many weekends from July to November as busy season.

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