January 12, 2026 | 09:53 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Traveling to Japan is possible at any time. However, if you don't want to be crowded at tourist attractions or pay for expensive airfare and accommodations, there are certain times travelers should avoid.
As reported by Soranews, Japan has issued holiday dates for local residents. This means they will be leaving their homes to travel, resulting in many tourist attractions being crowded. So, if you want to vacation in Japan and enjoy your time there to the fullest, avoid the following dates.
January 10-12
Seijinshiki, or Coming of Age Day, falls on Monday, January 12. Workers will have three days off starting Friday. On Seijinshiki, people who have just turned 20 or will soon be 20 wear kimonos for celebratory ceremonies and group photos. Travelers can enjoy the atmosphere, but restaurants will be very crowded. There is an increase in the number of tourists and leisure visitors during the weekend.
February 21-23
Emperor Naruhito's birthday is on February 23. For Japan, this is a national holiday. Because it falls on a Monday, residents will have a three-day weekend off. Many will take advantage of this holiday.
March 20-22
The vernal equinox is also a holiday in Japan. The exact date fluctuates between March 20 and 21, but this year it falls on March 20, a Friday. This will also be a three-day weekend, just as the weather starts to warm up and become more pleasant for going outside.
May 2-6
Golden Week is a collection of holidays: Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children's Day (May 5). Because May 3 falls on a Sunday this year, the Constitution Memorial Day holiday has been moved to May 6, creating a five-day holiday week.
July 18-20
Umi no Hi, which means Sea Day or Maritime Day, is celebrated on July 20. This date has been an official holiday since 1995. Many people enjoy this day by going to the beach, so coastal areas are very crowded. In urban areas, there are usually concerts and other entertainment events, making it equally busy.
August 13-16
The Obon summer holiday period in Japan this year runs from August 13th to 16th. This period is a major holiday for Japanese people. Traditionally, Obon is supposed to be spent returning to their hometowns and reuniting with extended family. Many people will likely extend this holiday by taking leave on the 10th, 11th, and 12th.
September 19-23
In Japan, there are Golden Week and Silver Week. Golden Week occurs in early May, while Silver Week occurs in September. Silver Week occurs when Respect for the Aged Day (the third Monday in September, this year September 21st) and the Autumnal Equinox (this year September 23rd) fall close together. The day between two designated holidays is also designated as a holiday, as was the case in 2026.
October 10-12
The second Monday in October is Health and Sports Day. On this day, many public sports facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, are free to use. It's also a three-day weekend, falling during the most pleasant weather, when temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold, humidity, and the likelihood of thunderstorms are low. Many people typically travel on this day.
November 21-23
Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on November 23, which this year falls on a Monday. Similar to Sports Day, Labor Thanksgiving Day falls during a period of relatively pleasant weather in Japan, and also coincides with the autumn season with its beautiful foliage. Although it's only a day off, many people visit places famous for their foliage.
End of December
Every year-end, there's a surge in travel. Although the official holiday is only January 1, most offices are closed for the first three days of the year.
These dates are expected to be busy and expenses can be high. Those who enjoy crowds might not mind these dates. However, if you want to save money and avoid the crowds, avoid planning a trip to Japan during these dates.
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