Planningschool holidays in Japanfor 2025-2026 clearly facilitates a stay project or a family expatriation. Know how to readJapanese school calendarmakes it possible to avoid crowds at certain times and offers concrete benchmarks to install, step by step, through local peculiarities and feedback from already expatriate families.
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What are the dates of school holidays in Japan for 2025-2026?
When you start organizing your year, you often try to avoid peak periods or to understand how holidays work in Japan. Below you will find the essential dates for 2025-2026, perfectly updated. These landmarks are valuable, whether for a trip or a family facility, to build a serene planning.
In Japan, the academic rhythm is divided into three major vacations, common to the entire territory, except for a few small local deviations. I remember, moreover, when we first returned to Tokyo with Sacha, having reprogrammed everything... because, surprise: the year starts in April and not in September!
For 2025-2026, the periods to be covered are as follows:
| Period | Dates (2025-2026) |
|---|---|
| Summer holidays | 18-20 July to 25-31 August 2025 |
| Winter holidays | 18 December 2025 to 6-7 January 2026 |
| Spring holidays | Approximately 25 March to early April 2026 |
| Golden Week | 29 April to 5 May 2026 |
| Silver Week | Mid-September 2026 (variable, around 21 September) |
Don't forget – the Japanese school year begins in early April (unlike France, where it starts in September) and ends in March. Local variations exist but this schedule accurately represents the majority of schools for 2025-2026.
Zoom on major holidays: Golden Week and Silver Week
Golden Week is an institution: this week, the whole country is taking a break. For 2026, it extends from April 29 to May 5, and includes the following public holidays:
- 29 April: Showa Day, beginning of the week
- 3 May: Memorial Day Constitution, expected by many
- 4 May: Greenery Day, green parenthesis on the calendar
- 5 May: Children's Day, a very popular family holiday
Date to remember: during these days of Golden Week, trains, routes and tourist attractions show priority attendance. This is, without a doubt, the time when travel becomes a sport unless you want to live the local effervescence. Silver Week, for its part, appears only in certain years: in 2026, it is projected in mid-September, depending on the holidays that follow (calculation evolves every year according to a school expert met in Osaka!).
Summary of key points
- ✅ The Japanese school year begins in April and ends in March.
- ✅ The main holidays are summer, winter, spring, plus Golden and Silver Weeks.
- ✅ Golden Week (29 April – 5 May 2026) is a busy time to avoid for a quiet trip.
How does the Japanese school system work?
When you look at the Japanese school system from the outside, it is the cuts and the specific rhythm that surprise you. After all, it is a current year from April to March, with three quarters, ubiquitous extracurricular clubs... But once the principle is understood, you quickly find your mark.
Organisation in quarters and school rhythm
The school year starts in April, consists of three quarters (April-July, September-December, January-March) and alternates short breaks rather than long holidays. Students have classes from Monday to Friday (usually 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), and sometimes Saturdays according to the school. Many discover the famous « Bukatsu », these sports or artistic clubs very open to new students : Sacha keeps an excellent memory, having enrolled in a robotic activity from the first month.
There is a relatively stronger academic pressure than in France; The rhythm can be very dense. Families are very supportive of school life, with PTA and local events (a school principal mentioned parental mobilization as a real pillar of the system).
Major landmarks throughout the year:
- April to March: the full school cycle, literally from one spring to another
- Major reviewsin March (end of year) and, in some high schools, in September
- Periods of « Bukatsu » often intensified during the summer, until the first holidays
France/Japan comparison: school year and vacation
Thinking about timing differences avoids many disappointments for expatriate families. In Japan, the re-entry takes place in April; When it comes from France, where it starts in September, it is necessary to reconcile two separate schedules – this is not always obvious for children attending French schools registered on the spot.
To illustrate the situation in 2025-2026:
| Better position | Start of school year | Great summer vacation | Winter holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Early April | Mid-July to end of August (~35 to 45 days) | Mid-December to early January (approximately 20 days) |
| Diamond Disc | Early September | Early July to late August (about 60 days) | Mid-December to early January (similar) |
This dual mechanics can cause stress, but many families quickly find their pace, relying on self-help networks. Some expatriates report that they juggle with both calendars after a few weeks, then it becomes routine!
Good to know
I recommend that you anticipate differences in school schedules between France and Japan in order to avoid unnecessary constraints or stress during your expatriation or family stay.
What advice is there to travel or organize a family holiday around Japanese school holidays?
Identifying the periods of influence or closure of sites is essential to enjoy Japan in peace. The peaks in activity can push the organization. It is therefore better to spot quieter moments to optimize the discovery.
Tips to avoid crowding and optimize your trip
If you have a choice over the travel period, it is better to avoid Golden Week (end of April-early May), as well as the full weeks of summer holidays (end of July to mid-August), when the country moves massively and prices reach peaks. On the other hand, September and February-March often show a nice sweetness, allowing peaceful visits (a local guide also mentioned that some temples are almost empty on these dates).
- Reservations for shinkansen trainssometimes make weeks in advance on big weekends. Several knowledgeable travellers advise to take it early to avoid queues.
- Some museums or attractions close during Golden Week, but not all: the official Kanpai site lists openings/closures each year.
- Silver Week in September also has an effect « bridges » Sometimes Japanese families organize stays during this period, which can generate an unexpected small influx.
- French schools in Japansystematically publish their online calendar in May-June for the following year: very practical to anticipate!
A trainer advised to always integrate a few days « buffer » on arrival, to acclimatize without haste, especially with children sensitive to changing time zones. Is this the key to a more relaxing stay? Many think so.
School life and integration: adapting smoothly as an expatriate family
Changing countries – and school calendars – seems simpler if we are surrounded by experiences and existing networks. Whether your child is enrolled in an international exchange or in a local school, everyone gradually finds their rhythm (and sometimes it takes a little time to keep smiling for the first few days!).
To better prepare a family expatriation, discover how theBack to school England 2024: key dates, calendar and practical tipscan inspire you in your organization in Japan.
If you compare withschool holidays in Algeria 2025-2026: official calendar, areas and practical advice, you will notice notable differences in educational rhythms and leave periods.
To compare periods of leave between countries, discover the2025 school holidays in Algeria: the official calendar and all relevant profiles.
Evidence and practical parental resources
Upon arrival in Kyoto, the group of French mothers immediately turned to the official sites: the LFI Tokyo for the calendar, the integration guide and the local PTA for the tricks of everyday life. Don't be afraid to ask for contacts: in most cases, a voluntary family offers to accompany newcomers, even in case of doubt or difficulty in the first week.
- Japanese school calendar(Meiji Academy): clear and useful synthesis to predict major dates.
- VoyaponDetailed data on holidays and holidays, updated each year.
- Golden Week: explanatory file (Kanpai), often recommended by beginner expatriates.
- Tokyo French International High School, for administrative and Community monitoring.
Know that: the majority of schools offer a PDF calendar to download, and parents/expatriates quickly respond to common questions, often via WhatsApp or private Facebook groups. This reassures newcomers, especially those still hesitant about the steps to be taken.
FAQ – Your questions about school calendar and holidays in Japan
Browse the answers below and pick up the information according to your needs: each advice comes from family experiences or shared experiences in expat networks, nothing too theoretical.
When are the summer holidays in Japan?
They are usually around 20 July until the last week of August. For 2025, this corresponds to a window between 18-20 July and 25-31 August, i.e. about 40 consecutive days of rest (which means a real break – even for the premises, it's an expected appointment!).
What is Golden Week and what are the dates in 2026?
Golden Week brings together several public holidays from April 29 to May 5, 2026. Make sure to integrate it into your organization because the crowd and the rates rise during this period – better plan your trips before or after to enjoy the calm. This advice comes back every year in expat tips (you would be surprised by the atmosphere in Tokyo at that time).
Does the Japanese school year start in September as in France?
In practice, it starts in April and ends at the end of March. This is a major difference for many families coming from France: the gap always impresses at first!
Are there extended holidays in September 2026? (Silver Week)
Yes, Silver Week should fall around21 September 2026, over a period of three to five days. However, this consolidation does not take place systematically every year – it depends on the configuration of public holidays.
Where to consult the calendar of French schools in Japan?
TheTokyo French International High Schoolet duLFI Kyotopublish each year the PDF documents of holidays and holidays, available before the summer for the next year.
Need a downloadable calendar or an update? Contact the schools' administration department directly or subscribe to their newsletter (you will find the official links on each school website).
Download the 2025-2026 calendar or sign up for GuyomCorp newsletter to receive up-to-date dates every year, as well as tailor-made advice on your expatriation or future school holidays in Japan.
Updated on 23 March 2026
