Understanding which holidays require early booking and itinerary adjustments
November 14, 2025
12 mins read
Japan has 16 national public holidays. Three affect private tours—Golden Week, Obon, and New Year's force itinerary changes and compress booking windows months ahead. The other 13 barely matter.
Understanding which holidays require action helps you plan smarter. If your dates overlap with a major holiday, you'll need to book earlier and expect different routing. If your dates land on a random single-day holiday, you can book normally.
The Holiday Hierarchy That Actually Matters
Japanese holidays split into three tiers based on how they affect tours.
Tier | Holidays | Impact | Booking Window |
|---|---|---|---|
Major | Golden Week, Obon, New Year's | Widespread closures, itinerary shifts | 60-90 days ahead |
Three-Day Weekends | Marine Day, Mountain Day, Sports Day, Respect for Aged | Local energy, minimal closures | 2-3 weeks (normal) |
Single-Day | 9 other holidays | No closures, no changes | Normal timeline |
Three Holidays Change Everything
Golden Week (April 29–May 6), Obon (August 13–16), and New Year's (December 28–January 3) create widespread closures. Small restaurants shutter for family time. Neighborhood shops close for the week. Tourist zones stay open, but the local spots that make private tours valuable often don't.
These three holidays also compress guide availability. Guides who work during major holidays book 60-90 days ahead because they need prep time to route around closures. Many guides decline Golden Week bookings entirely.
Three-Day Weekends: Noticeable, Not Disruptive
Four holidays use the Happy Monday System, moving to Mondays to create three-day weekends: Marine Day (third Monday in July), Mountain Day (August 11), Sports Day (second Monday in October), and Respect for the Aged Day (third Monday in September).
These holidays bring local families out—parks fill, cafés get busier, festival energy picks up. But businesses stay open. Tours run normally. You'll see more locals enjoying their day off, which often makes tours better, not worse.
Book 2-3 weeks ahead for these. Normal timeline.
The Other Nine: Business as Usual
Coming of Age Day, National Foundation Day, Emperor's Birthday, Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Culture Day, and Labor Thanksgiving Day fall mid-week or pass with little fanfare. No closures. No booking compression. No itinerary changes.
If your trip includes one of these, ignore it. Book on your normal timeline—2-3 weeks comfortable.
Golden Week (April 29–May 6)
Golden Week marks the middle of spring season—after it ends (around May 7), crowd levels drop significantly while weather remains ideal. Four national holidays cluster into one week: Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children's Day (May 5). When these align with weekends, the entire period stretches to 8-10 days.
Why Four Holidays Compress Into One Week
Japanese workers get few vacation days, so Golden Week is one of the only times they can travel without taking leave. Domestic tourism explodes. Trains fill. Hotels book months ahead.
This isn't about foreign tourists. It's about Japanese families taking the one extended break their work culture permits.
Tokyo Empties (But Tourist Zones Fill)
Tokyo residents leave the city during Golden Week. Commuter trains run quieter than normal. Residential neighborhoods empty out. If you're staying in Tokyo and skipping the major tourist sites, you might find the city calmer than usual.
But tourist zones—Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku—stay packed. Visitors from other parts of Japan pour in. The problem isn't crowds everywhere. It's that the neighborhoods and local spots that make private tours valuable shut down.
What Closes, What Stays Open
Family-run shops and restaurants in residential neighborhoods close. Yanaka's Isetatsu (handmade chiyogami paper since 1864) closes during Golden Week holidays, along with other artisan shops in the area. Tsukiji Outer Market vendors take the week off. Small izakayas in shitamachi districts close for family time.
Tourist-oriented businesses stay open. Senso-ji operates. Shibuya malls run full schedules. Chain restaurants serve. But a private tour's value comes from accessing the local layer that group tours miss. During Golden Week, much of that layer disappears.
Guides who work Golden Week shift itineraries toward open venues. You'll see tourist Tokyo instead of neighborhood Tokyo. Same quality of guiding, different routing. For more on how tour planning adapts to local conditions, see our complete guide to Tokyo private tour planning.
Book 30-45 Days Ahead
Guide availability during Golden Week varies year to year. Many guides take the week off for family time, so supply is limited. When full-time guides take Golden Week off, slots fill faster than normal seasons—sometimes 45-60 days out, sometimes closer to 30 days.
The guides who do work Golden Week book their calendars earlier than usual because they're covering for colleagues who've taken time off.
Hotels show similar patterns. Prices increase 16-35% on average. Tokyo business hotels that normally cost ¥6,000/night hit ¥18,000. Capsule hotels reach ¥12,000. Availability drops—vacancy rates compress to 18%. If you're locked into Golden Week dates, book lodging and tours at the same time, 4-6 weeks ahead if possible.
Obon (August 13–16)
Obon isn't an official public holiday, but 85% of Japanese companies close anyway. It's an ancestral observation period—families travel to hometowns, visit graves, gather for multi-day reunions.
Obon falls during Japan's most challenging weather. The summer in Japan guide explains how the heat compounds with domestic travel patterns, plus festival access and regional escapes that make August worth considering despite the conditions.
Not a Public Holiday, But Everyone Treats It Like One
Companies schedule shutdowns averaging 8 days (range: 3-16 days). Banks stay technically open but many staff take vacation. Tourist-facing businesses reduce hours or close entirely.
Tokyo historically observed Obon July 13-15. Most businesses now follow the nationwide August 13-16 pattern, but some traditional establishments still close in July. If you're visiting mid-July or mid-August, check whether your dates overlap with either observance.
Family Travel, Not Festival Energy
Golden Week has festival vibes—koi streamers, park gatherings, celebratory energy. Obon is quieter. It's family time, not vacation time. The mood is contemplative.
This affects tour atmosphere. Neighborhoods feel subdued. The upside: domestic tourism focuses on hometowns, not Tokyo. Tourist sites see moderate crowds, not Golden Week-level congestion. For broader context on seasonal timing, see our guide to the best times to visit Tokyo.
30-45 Days Recommended
Obon has the same supply challenge as Golden Week. Many guides take time off to visit family in their hometowns. Availability depends on how many guides work that week.
Book 30-45 days out to secure a guide before slots fill. Combine this with mid-August heat and humidity (highs around 31-32°C, 78-83% humidity), and Obon becomes one of the least ideal times for Tokyo tours. If your dates are flexible, avoid it. If they're fixed, book as early as comfortable.
New Year's (December 28–January 3)
New Year's brings the most comprehensive closures of any holiday period. January 1 is the only official holiday, but most businesses close December 28 through January 3. Some close as early as December 26.
When Tokyo Actually Shuts Down
Museums close December 28-January 3 (some December 29-January 4). Department stores close December 31-January 2. Markets close entirely—Tsukiji Outer Market shuts December 31-January 4. Restaurants, especially family-run places, close for the full week.
Even tourist-friendly areas go quiet. Temples and shrines keep grounds open 24/7, but gift shops and buildings operate on reduced hours. Chain stores and international businesses stay open, but the local texture of Tokyo disappears.
Why Many Guides Don't Work This Week
New Year's is family time in Japanese culture. Many guides take the week off entirely. The guides who do work New Year's are giving up family time, so they book their calendars early.
Availability during New Year's is the most limited of any period. If your dates are locked and you need a guide December 28-January 3, book 30-45 days out—earlier if possible.
If You Must Come: Plan Around Hatsumode
Hatsumode—the first shrine visit of the year—draws massive crowds January 1-3. Meiji Shrine alone receives 3+ million visitors during these three days. If you're in Tokyo for New Year's and want to experience hatsumode culture, plan for crowds and closures simultaneously.
The alternative: many travelers skip tours December 28-January 3 entirely and explore on their own, accepting that most venues are closed but temples are accessible.
The Underrated Three-Day Weekends
Marine Day, Mountain Day, Sports Day, and Respect for the Aged Day create three-day weekends but minimal disruption.
Four Holidays That Create Energy, Not Problems
These holidays were designed to spread tourism demand and give workers regular breaks. They succeed. Families visit parks. Cafés fill with locals. Aquariums run special Marine Day events. Schools hold sports festivals around Sports Day. Mountain Day brings hikers to Mt. Takao.
This is local energy. You're seeing Tokyo when residents have leisure time. Guides can still access neighborhood spots. Restaurants stay open. The tour experience doesn't degrade—it gains local texture.
Why You See More Locals (And Why That's Good)
First-time travelers sometimes avoid three-day weekends, assuming "holiday" means "avoid." This is overcorrection. A single Monday off doesn't create Golden Week-level closures.
What it does create: more families at parks, slightly longer lines at popular lunch spots, weekend-level crowds on Monday instead of weekday calm. For most travelers, this is neutral to positive—you're experiencing Tokyo's leisure culture, not navigating a shutdown.
Book 2-3 Weeks Ahead—Normal Timeline
These holidays don't compress guide availability. Book on your standard timeline. If you're planning a tour for Marine Day (third Monday in July) and it's currently late June, you're fine. No rush.
The only caveat: if a three-day weekend coincides with another event (cherry blossom peak, major festival), demand stacks. Check what else is happening that weekend.
The Nine You'll Never Notice
The remaining holidays—Coming of Age Day, National Foundation Day, Emperor's Birthday, Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Culture Day, Labor Thanksgiving Day—land mid-week or pass quietly.
When a Holiday Doesn't Change Anything
These holidays don't create travel surges. They don't trigger closures. Government offices close, but private businesses operate normally. Tour logistics don't change.
If your travel dates include one of these, you don't need to do anything differently. Book tours, reserve restaurants, plan itineraries exactly as you would on a non-holiday.
Book on Your Normal Timeline
Standard booking: 2-3 weeks comfortable (allows time for itinerary customization).
These nine holidays don't affect that timeline. No need to book earlier. No need to adjust plans.
Booking Timeline by Holiday Type
The core pattern: major holidays require earlier booking because guides need prep time, not just because availability is tight.
Holiday Tier | Booking Window | Why |
|---|---|---|
Golden Week, Obon, New Year's | 30-45 days recommended | Limited guide supply (many take time off), slots fill faster than normal |
Marine/Mountain/Sports/Respect for Aged | 2-3 weeks | Normal guide availability, no special constraints |
Other 9 holidays | Normal (2-3 weeks) | No impact on guide availability |
Major Holidays: 30-45 Days Recommended
Golden Week, Obon, New Year's: Book 30-45 days ahead when possible. The constraint isn't prep time—it's guide availability.
Many full-time guides take these weeks off for family time. When guide supply drops, slots fill faster. Some years Golden Week books out 45-60 days ahead. Other years, last-minute availability exists.
The earlier you book, the better your odds of securing a guide. But if you're booking 2-3 weeks out and see availability, that works too.
Three-Day Weekends: 2-3 Weeks
Marine Day, Mountain Day, Sports Day, Respect for the Aged Day: Normal booking timeline. No special prep needed. Venues operate normally.
Book 2-3 weeks ahead to allow time for itinerary discussion and customization, not because the holiday creates urgency.
Everything Else: Normal Timeline
The other nine holidays: Book whenever you normally would. 2-3 weeks is comfortable for most travelers.
What Actually Changes During Major Holidays
If you book a tour during Golden Week, Obon, or New Year's, here's what changes operationally.
From Neighborhood Spots to Tourist Zones That Stay Open
Normal tour: Guide takes you to Yanaka's artisan workshops, a family-run soba shop in Kagurazaka, a hidden coffee roaster in Jimbocho.
Holiday tour: Guide shifts to Asakusa's temple complex, Tsukiji's still-open chain restaurants, Shibuya's commercial district. These places stay open because they serve tourists year-round.
The guiding quality doesn't change. The local layer shrinks because it's literally closed.
Why Holiday Tours Still Work
Guides who work major holidays already know which neighborhood spots stay open and which close—they scout alternatives to small shops during holiday periods.
The routing shifts from closed neighborhood spots to open venues, but the guide's local expertise doesn't change. You're still getting insider knowledge about Tokyo. The canvas is different (more tourist zones, fewer hidden spots), but the quality of guiding remains the same. For more on how guides prepare customized itineraries, see our Tokyo private tour planning guide.
What Stays the Same
The fundamental tour mechanics don't change. Door-to-door service. Customizable pacing. Guide expertise in navigation and cultural context. Real-time adaptation to your energy level.
What changes is the canvas—fewer neighborhood spots, more tourist zones. If that tradeoff is acceptable, tours during major holidays work fine. If you're specifically seeking off-circuit Tokyo, reschedule if possible.
Some travelers can't avoid major holidays. Business trips, school breaks, already-booked flights create fixed constraints. Here's how to approach tour planning when you have no flexibility.
Book As Early As Comfortable
If you're reading this and your Golden Week trip is 6-8 weeks away, book soon. If it's 3-4 weeks away, check availability now. Guide supply during major holidays is limited—the earlier you book, the better your odds.
Don't wait to "finalize your plans." If guides are available when you check, secure the slot. When you're ready to choose, see our selection of the best Tokyo private tours.
But in the event you’re short on time or planning late, you can check current availability for our private Tokyo tours here — all bookings are instant confirmation, so you’re not waiting on back-and-forth emails.
Tell Your Guide Constraints First
When you book, state upfront: "My dates are locked during Golden Week. I understand neighborhood spots may be closed. I'm interested in [specific focus] and open to tourist zones if that's what's accessible."
This helps guides build realistic itineraries. It also helps you set appropriate expectations.
When DIY Might Work Better
If your primary interest is neighborhood exploration, small local restaurants, artisan workshops—the exact venues most likely to close during major holidays—consider whether a guided tour adds value.
During Golden Week, you might get more value spending the day at Meiji Shrine for hatsumode crowds, Shinjuku Gyoen for park atmosphere, and Shibuya for people-watching. These don't require a guide. You could save the tour for non-holiday dates and explore independently during the closure period. For an honest assessment of when independent exploration makes more sense, see our guide.
This is honest tradeoff analysis. Tours during major holidays deliver value, but the specific value shifts. If the shift doesn't match what you want, DIY might serve you better.
Our guides who work Golden Week and Obon already know which neighborhood spots stay open and which close—they scout alternatives throughout the year as part of tour preparation. That local knowledge is what makes holiday tours work. Standard booking windows apply (30-45 days recommended for major holidays), but slots fill faster when guide supply is limited.
At Hinomaru One, we design culturally rich, stress-free private Tokyo tours for first-time and seasoned travelers. Unrushed. Insightful. Always customized.
