Since 1873, the official japanese new year has been celebrated according to the gregorian calendar, on january 1 of each year, new years day, ganjitsu. Thus, new year s day, for example, was celebrated at the beginning of spring, as it is in modern china, korea, and vietnam. Founded nearly 2,700 years ago, the nation of japan has a formidable gastronomic reputation, and is also known for its technological prowess, bustling skyscraper cities and dazzling mountains. Thus, the tokaido sanyo shinkansen from tokyo to hiroshima on dec. The new year holidays in japan japanese culture blog. Here is your guide to the three biggest japanese new year traditions during the brief holiday. The new year holidays, cherry blossom season, summer holidays and the oben week, the autumn color season, the golden week, and the silver week are the important days to keep in mind. Virgin holidays offer a great range of asia and far east holidays. A stroll through this peaceful, colorful garden is the highlight of a trip to tokyo at any time of year. We were happy to be in japan during this period because it felt festive and people were in a celebratory mood. Golden week in japan goruden wiku is not just one holiday, but four holidays that align each year to provide a week of vacation for everyone. A guide to public holidays in japan time out tokyo.
This year, the country hosts the rugby world cup, closely followed by the summer olympics in. I have just returned from the 14 day japan adventure tour, overall it was great tokyo, odawara, hakone, takayama, kyoto, hiroshima, nagasaki, fukuoka, yufuin. Its worth noting that over the new year period roughly between 27th december and 3rd january many popular sights, museums and restaurants close their doors as this is a time to spend with family much like christmas in the uk. Schools close for about two weeks of winter holiday before and after new years, and most companies also shut down for new year break from around december 30 to january 3. List of public holidays and national holidays in japan for the year 2020. Time seems to pass way too quickly sometimes its already the end of the year again. Prior to japan s adoption of the gregorian calendar in 1873, the dates of holidays were based on the traditional chinese lunisolar calendar. While in the west, traditional christmas and new years cards are gradually being replaced by electronic versions and emails, in japan cards are still being sent through the mail which i quite like. In japan, many businesses remain closed until the 3rd, and there are all types of parties and traditions. The new year holidays, cherry blossom season, summer holidays and the oben week, the autumn color season, the golden week, and the. Jr east, jr west and jr tokai all reported load factors of 120190% and said reserved seats on shinkansen trains are fully booked for saturday and sunday.
If you want to move out of tokyo on dec 28 31, consider taking air flights which you can book before you come to japan. It is this intertwining of the old and the new that makes japan truly fascinating. Holidays the japans impressions of daily life in japan. In japan, many people try to visit shrines and temples as close to midnight on new year s eve as possible in order to get maximum luck. Traffics are very crowded in the new year season in japan do you know the crazy new years days from the final few days in december to the first 3 days in january. On these days schools and public offices are closed, and many employers give workers the day off. January 1 is new year s day, a national holiday and one of the biggest events on the calendar of annual festivities in japan. Weve designed every aspect of these holiday experiences down to the last detail. The new year holidays is a very special time of the year for the japanese. While it is celebrated on december 31st, unlike in the west, you wont find many people heading out for crazy partying.
Whats more, theyre all unique to us, so you cant book them anywhere else. From the modern, hightech capital of tokyo, with its futuristic neonlit streets, michelinstarred restaurants and quirky pop culture, to the timeless traditions, evocative geisha districts and beautiful temple gardens of the ancient imperial city of. Book japan tour packages from india cheap japan holiday. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a. Japan holidays 2020 cheap holidays to japan lastminute. All listed packages and accommodation in this website are limited period offers and subject to. The new year holiday exodus from tokyo and other cities began on friday, with vacationers crowding train stations, airports and expressways. Sep 01, 2017 calendar of japan holidays year 2017 japanese celebrate a variety of national holidays, festivals, and other national observances throughout the year. Most businesses shut down from january 1 to january 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. New year in japan shogatsu is by far the most important holiday in japan. If you would like more information or to make a booking, call our cruise concierge team on 0808 1234 118 for expert advice and awardwinning customer.
Happy new year, travelers the start of the new year is one of our favorite holidays. The new years holiday season is the best time of the year to shop in japan. We were in tokyo during new year holidays and decided to stay in ikebukuro area as were. Founded nearly 2,700 years ago, the nation of japan has a formidable gastronomic reputation, and is also known for its technological prowess, bustling. Dec 24, 2018 its surprisingly difficult to find childrens picture books about new years day traditions and new years eve. Get lost in tsukiji market, the biggest fish market in japan to soak up the local. Holidays in japan are unique, spectacular occasions which visitors, as well as locals, can enjoy. Japan holidays 2019 cheap holidays to japan expedia.
The entire nation completely shuts down for a few days so that everyone can head back home to spend time with the family. It is comparable to the black friday sale in america during thanksgiving, with numerous stores marking goods down by 50% or more. Japan has 16 national, governmentrecognized holidays. Overview of holidays and many observances in japan during the year 2020. Etihad holidays book your bespoke holiday package deal. Its also a time for wishes, prayers and hopes for a better year ahead. New years day in japan has been officially celebrated according to the gregorian calendar since 1873. Japan tour deals up to 35% off early bird and last.
Japan s unique culture and startling contrasts make it a captivating holiday destination. From the modern, hightech capital of tokyo, with its futuristic neonlit streets, michelinstarred restaurants and quirky pop culture, to the timeless traditions, evocative geisha districts and beautiful temple gardens of the ancient imperial city of kyoto. New year is a huge holiday in japan and people from the smaller cities or countryside go back to visit their families. Golden week is the third busiest travel season in japan, after new year and obon. How to enjoy japan during the new year holiday season. Prior to japans adoption of the gregorian calendar in 1873, the dates of holidays were based. A very popular custom is the sending of new year s cards, which are specially marked to be delivered on january 1. Visiting japan during the new year s holidays can be both rewarding and frustrating. The beginning of a new year symbolizes a fresh start and the ability to leave everything behind. Here is the problem for you it is the new year holidays from dec.
In japan the vernal equinox is a welcome holiday as it marks the end of winter and the. Sep 01, 2019 list of public holidays and national holidays in japan for the year 2020. New year shogatsu or oshogatsu is the most important holiday in japan. The banks offices in japan head office, branches, and local offices are closed on saturdays, sundays, and the following days. Japanese holidays can be patriotic, religious, secular, international, or uniquely japanese. Special seasons to be careful to travel in japan in japan, there are several seasons to be very careful in planning tours, and these days are related to our unique historic cultures, so many foreigners dont know. People around the world celebrate new year s eve and new year s day. These business hours will also vary throughout the country. Below is a rough guide to some of the more general businesses and services.
This is sometimes celebrated with a bonenkai party in december to forget the year, and put the troubles from the past year behind you. All listed packages and accommodation in this website are limited period offers and subject to availability. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates. We japanese can book online or at any jr stations any long distance jr tickets from.
One of the biggest factors to consider when flying to japan is the price. Like the christmas holidays of the west, schools and many businesses close, and family members get together. Book now and you can take advantage of our offer of. The culture surrounding new years is probably vastly different in japan from what youre used to. Nonetheless, fearless book finder that i am, i rustled up a few new year picture books for you to read. It is not uncommon for one person to send out several dozens of cards to friends, relatives and coworkers. Events and observations associated with the holidays we list may be canceled or otherwise affected due to measures taken to combat the covid19 pandemic. Japans spectacular cherry blossom season is one of the most popular events of the year, with people both inside the country and out flocking to enjoy the flowerfilled. This change was a part of the modernisation and westernisation movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in japan. While only january 1 is designated as a national holiday, many businesses remain closed through january 3.
Sarah ahern, product manager at exodus travels, explains. Jan, 2016 in japan, it is customary to send out new years cards, or nengajou. Where were from, we welcome the new year with magnificent fireworks displays, a huge midnight feast for the family, basketfuls of round fruits, lots of jumping, and making loud. Schools close for about two weeks of winter holiday before and after new year s, and most companies also shut down for new year break from around december 30 to january 3. Where were from, we welcome the new year with magnificent fireworks displays, a huge midnight feast for the family, basketfuls of round fruits, lots of jumping, and making loud noises to ward off evil spirits i know, but hey. We dont speak japanese but read somewhere saying that new year holiday. At first, writing new years cards in japanese and figuring out the correct way to post them seemed like a daunting task. Plus, with our best price guarantee, you can be sure that youre getting the best deal. If you want to go to the west, such as kyoto, osaka, hiroshima, go before the new year holidays start until dec 27 or after the holidays after jan 3. Its surprisingly difficult to find childrens picture books about new years day traditions and new years eve. Horace bristols single flashbulb illuminated hundreds of young, near. In japan, there are a total of 15 national holidays in a year. The business hours of banks, post offices, department stores, as well as museums, parks and other public services and spaces in japan may differ from that of your home country. New year holiday exodus begins across japan japan today.
A place where orangerobed buddhist monks may be found tending the pretty garden of their temple, in the shadow of a gleaming new skyscraper. Childrens englishjapanese picture book bilingual edition,japanese. New years day calendar 01 explore japan kids web japan. The governments fiscal year begins on april 1, as does the japanese school year, and many corporations follow suit. Pictures from the past naked new year in japan, 1946 a picture from the past. Here are 12 japanese celebrations you should remember. The new year is arguably the most important and sacred holiday of the japanese calendar. Etihad holidays reserves the right to change, modify and cancel any offer without prior notice. Christmas, new year, and the week at the end of april, leading into may are peak times and, consequently, carry peak fares. However, they are also very busy times of the year so travelers should expect crowds on japans transportation system and higher prices for accommodation visitors should also be aware that events such as the obon festival, the cherry blossom season, golden week, christmas, and new years eve. Japans unique culture and startling contrasts make it a captivating holiday destination. Dec 29, 2017 the new year holiday exodus from tokyo and other cities began on friday, with vacationers crowding train stations, airports and expressways. Booking shinkansen nozomi online over new year holiday tokyo.
Therefore, you may find that many new employees begin jobs and real estate contracts go into effect on this date. The japanese new year, shogatsu is an annual festival with its own customs. The japanese new year brandon, reiko mochinaga, stephan, barbara b. Its also the perfect time to throw yourself into new experiences. List of public holidays and national holidays in japan for the year 2015 new years day is on thursday, january 01, 2015 comingofage day is on sunday, january 11, 2015. January 1 is new years day, a national holiday and one of the biggest events on the calendar of annual festivities in japan. Japan and particularly tokyo is a great choice to visit for a new years trip. Japan experiences an annual average temperature of 75 degrees fahrenheit.
But many were closed when we went because of the new year holidays, so we didnt see much. Pros and contras of traveling to japan during the new years holidays. Overview of holidays and many observances in japan during the year 2019. Japan public holidays 2020 this page contains a national calendar of all 2020 public holidays. Japan holidays book for 20202021 with our japan experts. Thus, the tokaidosanyo shinkansen from tokyo to hiroshima on dec. Japan business hours japan holidays travel japan jnto. Once i finally figured everything out, i decided to write a guide for other people who might like to send cards to japan as well. Battle the bomb cyclone with januarys best new books. National holidays in japan in 2020 office holidays. Japan observes 16 national holidays throughout the year. The prices shown on the etihad holidays website are for reference only and are subject to final confirmation.