You might have heard of Golden Week, Japan’s highly anticipated holiday period, when a series of often consecutive holidays occurs from the end of April to early May, allowing many Japanese people to take a week off. But have you heard of Silver Week (シルバーウィーク)? Coined in 2009, Silver Week refers to a cluster of three consecutive national holidays in early autumn. While Golden Week happens reliably every year, Silver Week is much less predictable. It only appears when the calendar aligns in such a way that the holidays fall close together.
But what holidays make up Silver Week? Should you start packing your suitcase and booking a trip to your dream destination in Japan? Discover the Silver Week dates for 2025, the best travel destinations, and tips to avoid crowds and congestion.
What is Silver Week?
Silver Week (シルバーウィーク) is a rare holiday period in Japan that occurs in early autumn when two national holidays fall close together, creating a long weekend or a mini “holiday week.” As we mentioned, Golden Week, Silver Week do not occur every year because it depends on how the calendar aligns. In fact, the last few Silver Weeks were in 2009, 2015, and 2020.
Despite its irregular occurrence, many Japanese people naturally treat the national holidays in September as Silver Week. It’s common for them to take additional days off around these holidays to travel, often combining official holidays with their own paid vacation days. Some ambitious planners even turn this period into a 10-day holiday.
When is Silver Week in Japan?
Silver Week in Japan typically takes place in September. The holiday period depends on the alignment of two national holidays: Respect for the Aged Day, which falls on the third Monday of September, and Autumnal Equinox Day, which occurs around September 22 or 23.
In Japan, weekdays that fall between two national holidays automatically become “Citizens’ Holidays,” so if Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day fall close together, the weekdays in between also become days off. For example, if Respect for the Aged Day is on a Monday and Autumnal Equinox Day falls on a Wednesday, the Tuesday in between also becomes a holiday. This can create a maximum five-day Silver Week holiday, including weekends.
2025 Silver Week in Japan
In 2025, however, Silver Week will consist of a three-day weekend from September 13 15 and a four-day weekend from September 20–23, so there won’t be a full five-day stretch. Silver Week only appears in years when the September holidays line up just right.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
| September 13 | Saturday | Weekend |
| September 14 | Sunday | Weekend |
| September 15 | Monday | Respect for the Aged Day |
| September 16 | Tuesday | Workday |
| September 17 | Wednesday | Workday |
| September 18 | Thursday | Workday |
| September 19 | Friday | Workday |
| September 20 | Saturday | Weekend |
| September 21 | Sunday | Weekend |
| September 22 | Monday | Workday |
| September 23 | Tuesday | Autumnal Equinox Day |
2026 Silver Week in Japan
The next actual Silver Week in Japan will occur in 2026, from Saturday, September 19 to Wednesday, September 23. This five-day holiday is made possible because of the alignment of two national holidays:
- Respect for the Aged Day on Monday, September 21
- Autumnal Equinox Day (Shuubun no Hi) – Wednesday, September 23
As mentioned, under Japan’s holiday law, when a weekday falls between two national holidays, it becomes a “citizen’s holiday.” In this case, Tuesday, September 22, is designated as a holiday
Make the most of this rare opportunity! After 2025, the next time a full five-day Silver Week is expected will be in 2032 and then again in 2037.
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The Respect for the Aged Day
Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日, Keirou no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday dedicated to honoring and showing appreciation for the elderly. It’s a day to celebrate their contributions to society and to spend time with older family members.
This was originally celebrated on the 15th, but recently changed to the third Monday of September. This calendar modification resulted from the introduction of the Happy Monday System (ハッピーマンデー制度せいど). This system moved a number of public holidays to Monday in order to create three-day weekends.
For example, in 2025, Respect for the Aged Day falls on Monday, September 15.
It’s a day often marked by family gatherings, community events, and ceremonies, such as presenting flowers or gifts to senior citizens.
The Autumnal Equinox Day
Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日, Shuubun no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday that marks the official change from summer to autumn. It’s a day when day and night are nearly equal in length, which usually occurs around September 22 or 23 each year.
The exact date is announced the previous year, during the first week of February.
The Citizens’ Holiday
When a day falls between two national holidays, it then becomes an additional holiday known as 国民こくみんの休日きゅうじつ, the citizens’ holiday.
This rule was designed to give people more consecutive days off and make long weekends possible. For example, if Respect for the Aged Day falls on a Monday and Autumnal Equinox Day falls on the Wednesday immediately after, the Tuesday in between automatically becomes a holiday. This creates a three-day stretch of holidays, and when combined with the surrounding weekend, it can result in a five-day break.
Citizens’ Holidays are one of the key reasons Silver Week can sometimes form, although it only happens when the calendar aligns perfectly. This clever system shows how Japan makes the most of its national holidays to give people more time off, despite only having 10 days of paid holidays.
Is Silver Week a Great Time to Visit Japan?
Silver Week is a wonderful time to experience Japan in early autumn. The weather is generally mild and comfortable, less humid than summer, though it can still be warm (check out our guide to learn how to describe the weather in Japanese).
However, because Silver Week is primarily observed by Japanese residents and autumn is already a popular season, expect larger crowds than usual — a mix of both domestic travelers and international visitors.
Popular tourist destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa attract not only international visitors but also domestic travelers taking advantage of the consecutive holidays. Because of this, hotels and trains can fill up quickly. To make the most of your trip, it’s best to plan ahead, book accommodations early, and consider visiting less-crowded areas for a more relaxed experience.
Best Things to Do During Silver Week
Unlike Obon, which is Japan’s Day of the Dead and comes with well-established traditions such as visiting family graves, carrying mikoshi (portable shrines), and following a specific three-day ritual, Silver Week does not have a set of traditional activities. Most of these national holidays are simply days off, giving people the flexibility to travel, relax, or enjoy seasonal events as they wish. This makes Silver Week a more modern and flexible holiday period, focused on leisure, tourism, and enjoying the early autumn season rather than following strict cultural customs.
For residents in Japan, Silver Week is a perfect opportunity to explore places they’ve always wanted to visit. If you live in Tokyo, it’s a great chance to head to Gunma, Kawaguchiko, or climb Mt. Takao. The weather is cooler than in summer, making outdoor activities more enjoyable. Here are a few ideas to make the most of Silver Week:
1. Book an Onsen Trip
Take a weekend trip to Gunma, Hakone, or Nikko, and stay at a ryokan with an onsen (hot spring bath). Onsen trips are easily accessible by car or train and offer a relaxing way to enjoy early autumn. While the autumn leaves haven’t turned red yet — that usually happens in November — soaking in an onsen surrounded by nature is still an experience.
2. Go Hiking
With crisp, cool weather, Silver Week is perfect for hiking. Many mountains near Tokyo are beginner-friendly. Mt. Takao and Mt. Mitake are excellent options for day trips, while Mt. Fuji attracts more hikers but is usually closed after summer. Hiking during this season is comfortable and offers beautiful scenery without the summer heat.
3. View Cosmos Flowers
Cosmos flowers, often called the “cherry blossoms of autumn”, are in full bloom around late September to October. They are also known in Japan as akizakura (秋桜).. A great spot to see them is Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa, where fields of different cosmos create vibrant, summer-like scenes perfect for a leisurely stroll or photography.
Conclusion: Travel Like a Local, Speak Like a Local with Coto Academy!
If you are planning to travel around Japan during the Silver Week, what better way to experience it fully than by learning a bit of Japanese to immerse yourself in the culture?
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Experience Japan like a local this autumn! Learn the language, explore the culture, and make your trip unforgettable. Ready to get started? Fill out the form below for a free level check and consultation!
FAQ
What is Silver Week?
Silver Week (シルバーウィーク) is a rare holiday period in early autumn when several national holidays in September align, creating a long weekend or even a mini “holiday week.” Unlike Golden Week, it does not occur every year.
When is Silver Week in 2025?
In 2025, Silver Week will include:
- September 20–23: Four-day weekend (Autumnal Equinox Day on Sept 23)
- September 13–15: Three-day weekend (Respect for the Aged Day on Sept 15)
It will not form a continuous five-day holiday this year.
What is a Citizens’ Holiday?
A Citizens’ Holiday (Kokumin no Kyuujitsu) occurs when a weekday falls between two national holidays. This extra day off helps create longer holiday stretches, sometimes resulting in a full five-day Silver Week.
Is Silver Week a good time to visit Japan?
Yes. The weather is mild and comfortable, making it ideal for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and festivals. However, popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa can get very crowded, and hotels or trains may fill up quickly. Planning ahead and visiting less-crowded areas is recommended.
Why doesn’t Silver Week happen every year?
It depends on how the calendar aligns. The two main holidays in September in Japan, Respect of the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day, must fall close enough for a weekday to be sandwiched between them, which only happens occasionally.
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