2025–2026 Japanese New Year Break: up to 9 days for typical companies
This is a strong year; the break extends on both sides of Dec 29 – Jan 3.
This year's Shōgatsu
How long is the 2025–2026 New Year break?
For a typical Japanese private-sector company (closed Dec 29 – Jan 3), the break runs Dec 27, 2025 (Sat) to Jan 4, 2026 (Sun) — a 9-day stretch.
The last workday is Dec 26, 2025 (Fri) and the first workday is Jan 5, 2026 (Mon).
* Length and edges shift by industry and company calendar — see the industry section below.
Day-by-day alignment around the break
From Dec 26 to Jan 7. The labelled days fall inside the typical company break; everything else is a regular workday.
| Date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 26 | Fri | Workday |
| Dec 27 | Sat | Weekend |
| Dec 28 | Sun | Weekend |
| Dec 29 | Mon | Company off |
| Dec 30 | Tue | Company off |
| Dec 31 | Wed | Company off |
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day |
| Jan 2 | Fri | Company off |
| Jan 3 | Sat | Company off · Weekend |
| Jan 4 | Sun | Weekend |
| Jan 5 | Mon | Workday |
| Jan 6 | Tue | Workday |
| Jan 7 | Wed | Workday |
How it varies by industry and company
- Office workers (IT, finance, services)Typical close: Dec 29 – Jan 3. With adjacent weekends, the break becomes 9 days this year.
- ManufacturingOften longer — many factories close around Dec 28 to Jan 4, set by the company calendar or union agreement.
- Retail and serviceYear-end and New Year are peak season. Many run normal hours or on shift; staff time off shifts to mid-January or later.
- Foreign-owned companiesLong Christmas leave (around Dec 24–26) is common; the New Year break itself may be standard business hours. Check the company calendar.
Last/first workday, and travel rush
Last workday: Dec 26, 2025 (Fri). First workday back: Jan 5, 2026 (Mon). A Monday return makes for a clean reset.
Outbound rush peaks around Dec 27, 2025 (Sat); return rush peaks around Jan 4, 2026 (Sun). Book shinkansen and flights one to two months ahead.
Schools vs companies
Public schools generally break from around Dec 25 to Jan 7 — wider than the standard company window. Families with kids may take PTO on the first few workdays of the new year to bridge the gap.