In Japan, 2025 offers several opportunities to maximize your vacation by strategically combining public holidays with paid leave.Here’s a detailed guide to help you plan extended breaks: 1. New Year’s Holiday (January 1 – January 5):

• Public Holidays: anuary 1 (New Year’s Day) and January 13 (Coming of Age Day).- Suggested Leave: ake leave on January 2, 3, and 10.- Total Break: days off from January 1 (Wednesday) to January 5 (Sunday), and another long weekend from January 11 (Saturday) to January 13 (Monday). 2. National Foundation Day (February 11):
• Public Holiday: ebruary 11 (Tuesday).- Suggested Leave: ake leave on February 10 (Monday).- Total Break: days off from February 8 (Saturday) to February 11 (Tuesday). 3. Emperor’s Birthday (February 23):
• Public Holiday: ebruary 23 (Sunday), observed on February 24 (Monday).- Total Break: 3-day weekend from February 22 (Saturday) to February 24 (Monday). 4. Vernal Equinox Day (March 20):
• Public Holiday: arch 20 (Thursday).- Suggested Leave: ake leave on March 21 (Friday).- Total Break: days off from March 20 (Thursday) to March 23 (Sunday). 5. Golden Week (April 29 – May 6):
• Public Holidays:
  • pril 29 (Tuesday): Shōwa Day – ay 3 (Saturday): Constitution Memorial Day – ay 4 (Sunday): Greenery Day (observed on May 6, Tuesday) – ay 5 (Monday): Children’s Day- Suggested Leave: ake leave on April 30 (Wednesday), May 1 (Thursday), and May 2 (Friday).- Total Break: days off from April 29 (Tuesday) to May 6 (Tuesday). 6. Marine Day (July 21):
• Public Holiday: uly 21 (Monday).- Total Break: 3-day weekend from July 19 (Saturday) to July 21 (Monday). 7. Mountain Day (August 11):
• Public Holiday: ugust 11 (Monday).- Total Break: 3-day weekend from August 9 (Saturday) to August 11 (Monday). 8. Respect for the Aged Day (September 15):
• Public Holiday: eptember 15 (Monday).- Total Break: 3-day weekend from September 13 (Saturday) to September 15 (Monday). 9. Autumnal Equinox Day (September 23):
• Public Holiday: eptember 23 (Tuesday).- Suggested Leave: ake leave on September 22 (Monday).- Total Break: days off from September 20 (Saturday) to September 23 (Tuesday). 10. Sports Day (October 13):
• Public Holiday: ctober 13 (Monday).- Total Break: 3-day weekend from October 11 (Saturday) to October 13 (Monday). 11. Culture Day (November 3):
• Public Holiday: ovember 3 (Monday).- Total Break: 3-day weekend from November 1 (Saturday) to November 3 (Monday). 12. Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23):
• Public Holiday: ovember 23 (Sunday), observed on November 24 (Monday).- Total Break: 3-day weekend from November 22 (Saturday) to November 24 (Monday). 13. Year-End Holidays (December 27 – January 4, 2026):
• Public Holidays: anuary 1 (Thursday), with many workplaces traditionally closing from December 29 to January 3.- Suggested Leave: ake leave on December 29 (Monday), December 30 (Tuesday), and January 2 (Friday).- Total Break: days off from December 27 (Saturday) to January 4 (Sunday). Additional Tips:
• Happy Monday System: apan has implemented the “Happy Monday System,” which moves certain holidays to Mondays, creating more three-day weekends.his system applies to holidays like Coming of Age Day, Marine Day, Respect for the Aged Day, and Sports Day.citeturn0search14- Planning Ahead: t’s advisable to plan and request your leave well in advance, as many employees may have similar plans around these extended holiday periods.- Cultural Events: e aware of major cultural events like Obon in mid-August, which, while not a public holiday, is a significant time when many people travel, leading to crowded transportation and accommodations.citeturn0search14 By strategically planning your leave around these public holidays, you can maximize your vacation time and enjoy extended breaks throughout 2025 in Japan.

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