Traveling to Japan? Do you want to experience the beauty of Japan without being surrounded by hordes of tourists? Then you need to know when the Japanese school holidays are!
Navigating School Breaks
Japan, like any other country, has its own unique school holiday calendar. While most schools follow a similar schedule, some private, specialized, or international schools may have different break times. This article will guide you through the typical school holiday periods to help you plan your trip for a more peaceful and enjoyable experience.
Summer Vacation: The Heat Is On!
Summer vacation in Japan usually starts around July 20th or 21st and stretches until August 21st to 30th. Keep in mind that the Obon National Holidays, a time for family reunions, fall within this period, typically lasting two to three days in mid-August. These holidays will also see a surge of domestic travelers.
Summer in Japan can be extremely hot and humid, so be prepared for the heat! The bustling tourist spots become even more crowded with families and students taking advantage of their time off. You can find more tips on how to handle summer travel with kids in my other blog post.
Autumn: Short Breaks, But Still Busy
While not official school holidays, there are some national holidays sprinkled between summer and winter breaks. These dates change annually, so be sure to research the specific holiday and year you are traveling in. Remember that if these holidays fall near a weekend, expect heightened travel activity as people extend their trips.
Winter Vacation: Family Time and Festive Cheer
Winter school holidays typically start around December 26th and end around January 6th. It’s important to note that Christmas Day is not a public holiday in Japan. If you’re celebrating Christmas in Japan, I have some helpful tips for you in another post!
Hokkaido, the northernmost island, has a longer winter break, often stretching from December 22nd to January 18th, due to the region’s severe weather conditions.
During this period, you won’t see many students out and about, because Japanese families prioritize spending quality time together during the New Year’s holidays. Many people travel back to their hometowns, making popular tourist attractions like Tokyo Disneyland less crowded. You can use crowd prediction calendars to plan your visit to Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea for the least busy days.
Spring: Cherry Blossoms and Crowds
Spring is a popular time to travel to Japan, particularly for international tourists, and it’s also a busy season for domestic travel. Most schools break around March 25th to 26th and return to school around April 5th, 6th, or 7th. However, just a few weeks after school resumes, Golden Week arrives, which is a long holiday period for most Japanese workers. This results in a huge surge of travelers at bullet train stations, airports, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
Be sure to research Golden Week dates for the year you are planning your trip, and remember that the weekends surrounding this holiday period will also be extremely busy.
If you’ve already booked your trip during Golden Week, don’t worry! You can still have a wonderful time. I have some helpful tips for maximizing your experience during this busy time in my other blog post.
Cherry blossoms are a major draw for travelers in spring, but predicting their exact bloom time is tricky. The best way to increase your chances of seeing them is to stay for a longer period during spring and keep an eye on cherry blossom prediction websites, which are usually released in February.
Plan Your Perfect Trip
If you’re just starting to plan your trip to Japan, check out my Japan family holiday planning advice on my blog. By understanding the school holiday calendar, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful and enriching experience during your travels.
