The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year is usually celebrated between late January and February, during the first new moon. This year, it will be on Wednesday, January 2025. But if you’re in Japan, you may be wondering, “Does Japan celebrate Chinese New Year?” Here’s what you should know. Does Japan Celebrate Chinese New Year? Japan Public Holidays 2025. This page contains a national calendar of all 2025 public holidays. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates. Prior to 1873, when Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, New Year coincided with the Chinese new year holiday, which changes every year. After 1873, the country switched to the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, workers were particularly fortuitous as January 3 was a Friday, meaning that most offices were closed until January 6. Overview of holidays and many observances in Japan during the year 2025. Chinese New Year Countdown; Holidays and Observances in Japan in 2025. All major holidays and observances in Japan for the calendar year 2025. Tuesday January 28, 2025 . Home; New Years Day: National holiday-27: Mon - Jan 13: Coming New Year’s Day is officially known as 元日 (がんじつ ganjitsu). The celebrations on New Year’s Day are commonly referred to as 正月(しょうがつ shogatsu). On this day, people typically dress up and go with families or friends to visit shrines to make wishes for the upcoming year. A summary of Japan’s national holidays in 2025, from New Year’s Day to Labor Thanksgiving Day in late November. National Holiday 2025 Date; New Year’s Day: January 1: Coming of Age Day: January 28: There will be a countdown event (incl. a lion dance) at midnight to usher in the Lunar New Year. January 29 (around 4 p.m.): On Lunar New Year’s Day, there will be the Chinatown Lion Dance where five lions will perform dances all around Chinatown to the tune of firecrackers and drums. February 1 to 2 (from 1 p.m.): Read on to learn about the public holidays in Japan in 2025 and 2026, their significance, and background along with travel tips. Public Holidays in Japan 2025 - 2026. 2025 Public Holiday Calendar 1. New Year’s Day January 1 2. Coming of Age Day The second Monday of January 3. National Foundation Day February 11 4. The Emperor’s Birthday Japan celebrates 16 public holidays a year. Many businesses and stores will close for these days, along with the summer vacation period of Obon, New Year’s shogatsu, and Golden Week. However, this depends on the type of business, as many large stores and such will remain open all year, with the exception of New Year’s Day. China public holiday 2025 schedule: Official calendar. New Year. January 1, 2025 (one rest day) Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) January 28 and February 4, 2025 (eight rest days in total) Adjusted working days: January 26, 2025 (Sunday) and February 8, 2025 (Saturday) Tomb Sweeping Festival (Ching Ming Festival) Public Holidays 2025. 29 January: Chinese New Year (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) 6 May: Substitution holiday - Part of Golden Week (Japan) CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued an advisory detailing the rules for wage computation for the Special (Non-Working) Day on January 29, 2025, in Any advice from those who’ve been in Japan during CNY or are familiar with the travelling habits of neighbouring countries during the Chinese New Year period would be much appreciated! I’m planning a trip to Japan in January 2025. Chinese New Year in 2025 is Wednesday 29th January. Japan and China have a long history of exchange. The countries share many cultural traditions, and today there are areas where you can find large numbers of Chinese migrants and their descendants living in enclaves such as the Chukagai (Chinatown areas) of Yokohama Chinatown, Kobe's Nankin-machi, and Nagasaki, as well as modern settlements in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district. Hundreds of millions of people across Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year with their families on Wednesday, as they bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon and usher in the Year of the Snake. The Chinese enjoy eight consecutive public holidays for the 2025 Spring Festival, an opportunity to The legal holiday is seven days long, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month. Some companies and public institutions enjoy a longer holiday up to 10 days or more, because in common knowledge among Chinese people, the festival lasts longer, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). Holiday; 1 Jan: Wed: New Year Holiday: 28 Jan to 4 Feb: Tue to Tue: Spring Festival: 4 Apr: Fri: Ching Ming Festival: 1 May to 5 May: Thu to Mon: Labour Day Holiday: 31 May to 2 Jun: Sat to Mon: Dragon Boat Festival: 1 Oct to 8 Oct: Wed to Wed: National Day Holiday: 6 Oct: Mon: Mid-Autumn Festival: Visit gov.cn for the original release. Year of the Sanke 2025 Chinese New Year Holiday 2025. Officially, the Chinese people will have a holiday for about 7 days from Chinese New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the lunar new year. In 2025, the Chinese New Year holiday lasts from January 28th to February 4th. Some companies may extend the holiday up to 16 days. Wondering if Japan joins in on the Chinese New Year festivities? The short answer is no—Japan doesn’t officially celebrate Chinese New Year. Instead, the country follows the Gregorian calendar for its own New Year traditions, called shōgatsu, which kicks off on January 1st. That said, Lunar New Year isn’t entirely absent in Japan!
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