Japan year-end break 2026–27

Japan 2026–27 year-end paid-leave guide

This example assumes weekends off and a workplace closure from December 29 through January 3. Company closures vary and are not national holidays.

Quick answer

Take Monday, December 28 as paid leave to connect the weekend with your workplace's closure: nine days off from December 26 through January 3.

How many leave days create how many days off?

Examples for weekends off and a December 29–January 3 workplace closure.

Paid leave used	Days off	Break period	Leave dates
0 days	6 days	Dec 29–Jan 3	None
1 day	9 days	Dec 26–Jan 3	Dec 28
2 days	10 days	Dec 26–Jan 4	Dec 28 and Jan 4

December 29–31 are example company closure days. January 1 is a national holiday; January 2–3 fall on a weekend.

Date	Type	Details
Dec 26, 2026 (Sat)	Weekend	Regular day off
Dec 27, 2026 (Sun)	Weekend	Regular day off
Dec 28, 2026 (Mon)	Leave option	Take this workday off to connect the break
Dec 29, 2026 (Tue)	Example company closure	If your workplace closes
Dec 30, 2026 (Wed)	Example company closure	If your workplace closes
Dec 31, 2026 (Thu)	Example company closure	If your workplace closes
Jan 1, 2027 (Fri)	Holiday	New Year's Day
Jan 2, 2027 (Sat)	Weekend	Regular day off
Jan 3, 2027 (Sun)	Weekend	Regular day off
Jan 4, 2027 (Mon)	Leave option	Take this workday off to connect the break

December 28 connects the previous weekend to the year-end closure. Taking January 4 as well extends the break to ten days.

Choose a date range, paid-leave budget, and regular days off to compare up to five leave plans.

・The table assumes Saturday and Sunday are regular days off.
・National holidays and company year-end closures are not days off in every workplace.
・These plans are schedule estimates. Paid leave still requires workplace approval.

These dates use the Cabinet Office-confirmed Japanese holidays for 2026 and 2027, including substitute and Citizens' Holidays.