Contact -
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 JAPAN
U.S. mail address: APO AP 96337-5004 USA
(03) 3224-5000 (general switchboard)
(03) 5354-4033 (visa information)
FAX: (03) 3505-1862
Embassy Holiday List -
| Date |
Name |
Remarks |
| First half of January |
Japanese New Year |
Shogatsu is Japan's most important holiday. It may refer
to the period of 1st–3rd, 1st–7th, or 1st–20th of January.
Historically Shogatsu was an alternative name for January.
January 1 is a national holiday. |
| Second Monday of January |
Coming-of-Age Day |
A national holiday. All people who turn 20 this year are
celebrated on this day. |
| February 3 |
Setsubun |
This is a festival and is not a national holiday. |
| February 11 |
National Foundation Day |
A national holiday. Emperor Jimmu, the first (legendary)
Japanese emperor, was crowned this day in 660 BC according
to early Japanese history books. |
| February 14 |
Valentine's Day |
On this day, women traditionally give chocolates to their
special man, as well as to all their male coworkers. Not a
national holiday. |
| March 3 |
Hinamatsuri |
Not a national holiday. Also known as Girls' Festival, Momo
no sekku (the Peach Festival). |
| March 14 |
White Day |
The reverse of Valentine's Day, when a man buys his special
woman a treat. Not a national holiday. |
| Around March 21 |
Vernal equinox |
A national holiday. |
| April 29 |
Greenery Day |
A national holiday. This used to be celebrated as Emperor
Showa's birthday. It is also the start of Golden Week. |
| May 3 |
Constitution Memorial Day |
A national holiday. |
| May 4 |
"Between Day" |
A national holiday by technicality.* |
| May 5 |
Children's Day |
A national holiday. Also known as Boys' Festival, Tango
no sekku (the Iris Festival). |
| July/August 7 |
Tanabata |
Not a national holiday. Also known as the day of the Star
Festival. |
| Third monday of July |
Marine Day |
A national holiday. |
| July/August 13-15 |
Bon Festival |
Not a national holiday though many companies close their
offices. |
| Third monday of September |
Respect for the Aged Day |
A national holiday. |
| Around September 23 |
Autumnal equinox |
A national holiday. |
| Second monday of October |
Health and Sports Day |
A national holiday. Created in 1966 after the opening day
of Tokyo Olympics. |
| November 3 |
Culture Day |
A national holiday. |
| November 15 |
Shichigosan |
A Shinto holiday celebrating a child’s accomplishment of
achieving the critical ages of 3, 5, or 7. Not a national
holiday. |
| November 23 |
Labour Thanksgiving Day |
A national holiday. |
| December 23 |
The Emperor's Birthday |
A national holiday. |
| December 24-25 |
Christmas |
Not a national holiday though it is popular in Japan. Many
traditionally western symbols, such as Santa Claus and strings
of lights, have been incorporated into the celebration. However,
the Japanese also have several unique Christmas traditions,
including the playing of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the
eating of Christmas cakes. For more information see the Japan
section in Christmas around the world. |
| December 31 |
Omisoka |
Not a national holiday. |
Visa Details
Americans generally may enter Japan for business or pleasure
without a visa for up to 90 days. Travelers entering the country
without a visa must have a return or onward ticket in their possession,
proof of adequate funds for their stay, and be otherwise admissible
under Japanese law. Extensions of the 90-day stay are normally not
allowed, and no changes to status are permitted. If you will be
staying longer than 90 days, you must obtain an Alien Registration
Card ("Gaikokujin Torokusho"), available free of charge
from the municipal office of the city or ward you are residing.
You will need to take your passport and two photos of size 4.5 x
3.5 cm.
If you are planning to stay in Japan more than 90 days, seek a
change of status or perform tasks which do not fall under the definition
of routine business, you should obtain a visa before coming to Japan.
Visas are issued only by Japanese Embassies and Consulates overseas.
Type of Visa -
Nonimmigrant Visas: Nonimmigrant Visas
are issued to those who intend to enter the U.S. temporarily for
business, tourism, or study. You may apply for a nonimmigrant visa
at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or the U.S. Consulates General in Osaka
or Naha.
Immigrant Visas: Immigrant Visas are issued to
those who wish to reside permanently in the U.S. For information
about IV categories, how to file an immigrant visa petition, how
to apply for an immigrant visa, what to do if you have lost your
green card, and other immigrant visa related services, please select
Immigrant Visas on the left side of the screen..
Document Required -
A citizen of one of the countries named above, traveling
on an unexpired passport AND MUST BE IN POSESSION OF INDIVIDUAL
MACHINE READABLE PASSPORTS. (More information)
Traveling for business, pleasure or transit only;
Staying in the United States for 90 days or less;
Fee -
The United States Congress requires American embassies and consulates
to collect a $100 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee for
each application processed. These fees are earmarked to pay for
security improvements in the United States' visa and entry control
system.
All non-immigrant visa applicants must pay a nonrefundable $100
visa application fee, payable in Japanese Yen. The yen-dollar exchange
rate used to calculate this fee changes monthly. For the month of
September the fee is 11,100 yen.
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