December 31-January 2-3 - Bank Holidays
January 1 - New Year's Day.
2nd Monday of January - Senior Citizens' Day ("Seijin-no-hee")
February 11 is National Founding Day
March 20/21 - Vernal Equinox Festival
April 29 - Vegetation Day
May 3 - Constitution Day
May 4 - Non-Business Day
May 5 is Children's Day
July 20 - Maritime Day
September 15 - Elder Respect Day
September 23-24 - Fall Equinox Festival
October 2nd Monday - Health and Sports Day
November 3 - National Culture Day
November 23 - Labor Appreciation Day
December 23 - Emperor's Day
"Yuki Matsuri Snow Festivals" (January)
Sapporo Ice Festival (early February)
Hina Matsuri Girls' Festival or Doll Festival (March 3)
Omizutori Water Painting Festival (early March)
Hanami flower viewing (cherry blossom time, late March)
Buddha's Birthday or Flower Festival - Hana Matsuri (early April)
The country's largest Buddhist festival is Sanya Matsuri (late May).
Tanabata Matsun Star Festival (early July)
Kyoto Gion Matsuri Grand Festival (mid-July)
Festival of the Dead or O-Bun Lantern Festival (mid-July to late August)
Awa Odori Folk Dance Festival in Tokushima (mid-August)
Nikko Fall Festival (mid-October)
The Lilac Festival is held in spring
In late fall, the "White Illumination Festival" in Sapporo.
The Yah-Yah Matsuri Scream Festival (first Sunday in February) is held in Owashi.
The Mifune Matsuri Boat and Raft Parade (late May) is held in Kyoto.
Valentine's Day is in February-March.
