Autumnal Equinox Day
Nationwide public holiday in Japan · 秋分の日
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 September | Wednesday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 23 September | Thursday | Nationwide |
Where it applies
Everywhere in Japan.
Is it a day off?
Yes. It is an official public holiday, so most employees have the day off. Government offices, schools and many businesses are usually closed; shops, restaurants and public transport may keep reduced hours. Check local announcements for opening times.
Make it longer
Take Friday 24 September off and get 4 days in a row (Thu 23 Sep – Sun 26 Sep).
Plan more breaks with the leave planner.
Typical weather in Tokyo around 23 September: high 26°C (79°F), low 20°C (67°F), rain on 60% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around Tokyo. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Thursday 23 September in Tokyo: (MET Norway)
About Autumnal Equinox Day
Autumnal Equinox Day, Shūbun no Hi, is a national holiday for honouring ancestors and remembering those who have died. Its date is set by the government each year based on astronomical calculation and usually falls on 22 or 23 September. It lies at the middle of the autumn Higan, a Buddhist week of observances.
Traditions
Many families visit and clean the graves of their ancestors, offering flowers, incense and food. A typical food of the season is ohagi, a sweet rice cake covered in red bean paste. The red spider lily, which blooms around this time, is known as higanbana after the Higan period.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
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Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.