The shape of it
About
Japan's newest national holiday, introduced in 2016 to appreciate the country's mountains. Fixed in mid-August, it sits right before the Obon travel rush, encouraging hiking and outdoor trips.
Highlights
- Japan's most recent national holiday (since 2016), fixed on August 11
- Marks the start of many people's Obon travel break
- Popular for hiking and getaways from the summer heat of the city
Plan it well
- Banks and offices close; it often merges into the Obon week, so trains and highways get extremely busy.
- Book any travel out of Tokyo well ahead — this is the leading edge of a peak travel season.
- Day-trip mountain areas near Tokyo (e.g. Mt Takao) fill up; start early.
