Japan Public Holidays 2013 | Japan Holidays 2013

Japan has one of the best holiday policies for its citizens. Japan has 15 Public Holidays in 2013. Public Holidays in Japan are established by the Public Holiday Law also called as (国民の祝日に関する法律 Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Hōritsu) created in 1948. When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day is declared as a holiday as per the policy called “Transfer Holiday” or “urikae kyūjitsu” (振替休日). Additionally, any day that falls between two national holidays are marked as a holiday as per “kokumin no kyūjitsu” or “citizens’ holiday”. (国民の休日).

Japan Public Holidays 2013 Calendar:
The list of Japan holidays for the year of 2013 is available below.

New Year’s Day: Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Also called as: Shogatsu, 元日, Ganjitsu
New Year also called as Ganjitsu marks the beginning of the most important holiday season in Japan. Though Japan has designated January 1as an official holiday, many businesses in Japan remain closed till January 3.

Coming of Age: Monday, 14 January 2013
Also Called as: 成人の日, Seijin no Hi
Japan celebrates the second Monday of January as Coming of Age to congratulate and encourage people who have become major (20 years old).

National Foundation Day: Monday, 11 February 2013
Also Called as: 建国記念の日, Kenkoku Kinen no Hi
National foundation day in Japan is celebrated 11th of February every year to commemorate the establishment of Japan by its emperor Jimmu in 660 BC.

Spring Equinox Day: Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Also called as: 春分の日, Shunbun no Hi
Spring Equinox Day is celebrated as an admiration of nature and to mark the love for living things.

Showa Day: Monday, 29 April 2013
Also called as: 昭和の日, Shōwa no Hi
A day celebrated to reflect on the events of the Showa Period.

Constitution Memorial Day: Friday, 3 May 2013
Also called as: 憲法記念日, Kenpō Kinenbi
A day during the golden week to commemorate the day in which Japan’s post war constitution was institutionalized.

Greenery Day: Saturday, 5 May 2013
Also called as: みどりの日, Midori no Hi
Greenery day is celebrated to commune with nature and be thankful for its blessings.

Children’s Day: Sunday, 5 May 2013
Also called as: こどもの日, Kodomo no Hi
Children’s day is celebrated to respect Children’s personalities and to plan for their happiness. As Children’s day 2013 falls on Sunday, Monday, 6 May 2013 will be a public holiday. Rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves and chimaki wrapped in an iris or bamboo leaf are specially served on this day.

Ocean Day or Marine Day: Monday, 15 July 2013
Also Called as: 海の日, Umi no Hi
Marine day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of July. Japan began celebrating Ocean’s day from 1996 as a gratitude for the blessings of the ocean and for the prosperity of the nation.

Respect for the Aged Day: Monday, 16 September 2013
Also called as: 敬老の日, Keirō no Hi
Respect for Aged Day is celebrated every year on 3rd Monday of September to respect the elderly and celebrate long life.

Autumn Equinox Day: Monday, 23 September 2013
Also called as: 秋分の日, Shūbun no Hi
A day to celebrate the nature and love of living things

Health and Sports Day: Monday, 14 October 2013
Also called as: 体育の日, Taiiku no Hi
Health and Sports day is celebrated to commemorate the opening of 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Culture Day: Monday, 4 November 2013
Also called as:文化の日, Bunka no Hi
Culture day is celebrated to promote culture, arts and academic endeavor in Japan. As culture day falls on a Sunday in 2013, Monday is a Public Holiday in Japan.

Labour Thanksgiving Day: Saturday, 23 November 2013
Also called as: 勤労感謝の日, Kinrō Kansha no Hi
A day to tribute labor and give thanks to one another. Before Thanksgiving day, this day was celebrated as imperial harvest festival called Niiname-sai

Emperor’s Birthday: Monday, 23 December 2013
Also called as: 天皇誕生日, Tennō Tanjōbi
The birthday of the reigning emperor.

Happy Japan Holidays 2013! Enjoy your holidays in Japan!

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