Maritime Holidays

Japan Port Holidays & Shipping Closures

Holidays that affect shipping in Japan: Golden Week, Obon Festival, New Year Holiday. Port and customs closures, and planning advice.

Country: Japan
Holidays listed: 3

These holidays can affect port, customs, and trucking operations in Japan. Plan bookings and cargo cut-offs around them, and confirm exact dates with your carrier or local agent.

Golden Week

Series of 4 national holidays. Many take entire week off. Impact: high; customs closed, trucking limited. Ship before April 25 or plan for delays until May 10.

Showa Day (Apr 29), Constitution Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), Children's Day (May 5)
Most companies close Apr 29 - May 5+
Ports operate with reduced capacity
Customs closed on official holidays

Obon Festival

Buddhist festival honoring ancestors. Many take vacation. Impact: medium; trucking limited. Expect reduced capacity mid-August.

Not official public holiday but widely observed
Many companies close Aug 13-16
Trucking significantly reduced
Heavy domestic travel traffic

New Year Holiday

Most important Japanese holiday. Extended closures Dec 29 - Jan 3. Impact: high; ports closed, customs closed, trucking limited. Clear shipments before Dec 25 or plan for January.

Official holidays Jan 1-3
Most companies close Dec 29 - Jan 3
Some extend to Jan 4-5
Year-end and New Year period very slow

Frequently asked questions

Which holidays affect shipping in Japan?

Golden Week, Obon Festival, New Year Holiday

Do ports close in Japan during holidays?

Golden Week: ports not listed as closed; Obon Festival: ports not listed as closed; New Year Holiday: ports closed