国民(こくみん)の祝日(しゅくじつ)

The official term for Japan's legally designated public holidays, as defined by the 国民(こくみん)の祝日(しゅくじつ)に関(かん)する法律(ほうりつ) (Act on National Holidays). In everyday speech, people often just say 祝日(しゅくじつ).

Types

Japan's 16 national holidays:

• 元日(がんじつ) (Jan 1): New Year's Day
• 成人(せいじん)の日(ひ) (2nd Mon Jan): Coming of Age Day
• 建国記念(けんこくきねん)の日(ひ) (Feb 11): National Foundation Day
• 天皇誕生日(てんのうたんじょうび) (Feb 23): Emperor's Birthday
• 春分(しゅんぶん)の日(ひ) (Mar ~21): Vernal Equinox Day
• 昭和(しょうわ)の日(ひ) (Apr 29): Showa Day
• 憲法記念日(けんぽうきねんび) (May 3): Constitution Memorial Day
• みどりの日(ひ) (May 4): Greenery Day
• こどもの日(ひ) (May 5): Children's Day
• 海(うみ)の日(ひ) (3rd Mon Jul): Marine Day
• 山(やま)の日(ひ) (Aug 11): Mountain Day
• 敬老(けいろう)の日(ひ) (3rd Mon Sep): Respect for the Aged Day
• 秋分(しゅうぶん)の日(ひ) (Sep ~23): Autumnal Equinox Day
• スポーツの日(ひ) (2nd Mon Oct): Sports Day
• 文化(ぶんか)の日(ひ) (Nov 3): Culture Day
• 勤労感謝(きんろうかんしゃ)の日(ひ) (Nov 23): Labor Thanksgiving Day

Similar words

• 祝日(しゅくじつ): holiday — the common short form used in everyday speech
• 祭日(さいじつ): festival day — an older term sometimes used interchangeably with 祝日(しゅくじつ), though strictly they differ
• 休日(きゅうじつ): day off — broader term for any non-working day, including weekends