Showa Day in Japan

A holiday rooted in Japan’s history

The holiday’s meaning is set out in Japan’s Act on National Holidays: Showa Day is for reflecting on the Showa era, which passed through upheaval and recovery, and thinking about the country’s future. The Cabinet Office describes the era as more than 60 years of major change, hardship and recovery, and says that the lessons of this history can inform Japan’s future as a peaceful nation.[1]

April 29 was chosen because it had been widely familiar as the Emperor’s Birthday during the Showa era and came to symbolize that period. After the era ended, April 29 was Greenery Day from 1989 through 2006. A 2005 amendment to the holiday law established Showa Day from 2007 and moved Greenery Day to May 4.[1]

What the day means

The law gives Showa Day a civic and historical purpose. Its stated focus is reflection on the era and consideration of Japan’s future; it does not set out a required ceremony or particular way to observe the day.[1] The official description refers to the Showa era’s upheaval, hardship and recovery, rather than presenting it as a single, simple story.[1]

A public holiday and a busy travel period

Under the national holiday law, national holidays are public holidays. If a national holiday falls on Sunday, the closest following day that is not itself a national holiday becomes a holiday. The law does not require companies to give every employee national holidays off; the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare explains that employers must provide the weekly rest days required by labour law, but need not make each national holiday a work-free day.[1][2]

Showa Day falls within Golden Week, the cluster of holidays in late April and early May. Japan’s National Tourism Organization warns that the period brings crowds and heavily booked transport, and recommends checking operators’ information and reserving ahead where needed.[3]

What to expect day to day

Opening hours vary by business and region. The tourism organization gives a general guide of weekday hours for offices and daily hours for urban shops, and notes that many convenience stores operate around the clock, including on national holidays. These are general patterns, not a guarantee for a particular branch, office or service, so check directly before visiting.[3]