Maximise your leave
Maximise your 2026 annual leave in Japan
Japan’s 2026 public holidays create 16 long-weekend opportunities — 8 free, 8with a single bridge day. Here’s exactly when to book.
The best long weekends to book in Japan, 2026
- 成人の日 — 2026-01-12 (Monday). 3 days off for no leave.
- 天皇誕生日 — 2026-02-23 (Monday). 3 days off for no leave.
- 春分の日 — 2026-03-20 (Friday). 3 days off for no leave.
- みどりの日 — 2026-05-04 (Monday). 3 days off for no leave.
- 海の日 — 2026-07-20 (Monday). 3 days off for no leave.
- 敬老の日 — 2026-09-21 (Monday). 3 days off for no leave.
- スポーツの日 — 2026-10-12 (Monday). 3 days off for no leave.
- 勤労感謝の日 — 2026-11-23 (Monday). 3 days off for no leave.
- 元日 — 2026-01-01 (Thursday). Take 1 leave day for 4 days off.
- こどもの日 — 2026-05-05 (Tuesday). Take 1 leave day for 4 days off.
- 山の日 — 2026-08-11 (Tuesday). Take 1 leave day for 4 days off.
- 文化の日 — 2026-11-03 (Tuesday). Take 1 leave day for 4 days off.
- 建国記念の日 — 2026-02-11 (Wednesday). Take 2 leave days for 5 days off.
- 昭和の日 — 2026-04-29 (Wednesday). Take 2 leave days for 5 days off.
- 憲法記念日 — 2026-05-06 (Wednesday). Take 2 leave days for 5 days off.
- 秋分の日 — 2026-09-23 (Wednesday). Take 2 leave days for 5 days off.
Get your full optimised year
The plays above are the obvious wins. The planner combines public holidays, weekends and your whole leave budget into the most efficient plan — including the long Easter and Christmas stacks.