Showa Day (昭和の日) is a national holiday in Japan that invites people to look back on the Showa era—a time of hardship, recovery, and growth. It also marks the start of Golden Week, one of Japan’s biggest holiday seasons. In this article, discover the meaning behind the day, how it began, and how you can make the most of it today.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What is Showa Day?
The Cabinet Office says Showa Day helps people reflect on the Showa era—a time of turbulence, recovery, and growth. The day also encourages people to think about the future of the country.
The current era name is Reiwa. In Japan, people use era names to count years. This system is different from the Western calendar and came from Tang-dynasty China. Japan started using era names about 1,400 years ago, beginning with Taika. Up to Reiwa, Japan has used 248 era names. When the emperor changes, the era name also changes.
The Showa era included war and national rebuilding. People use Showa Day to look back on that time with thought and care.
When is Showa Day?
Showa Day always falls on April 29.
Here are the dates for the next few years:
2025: Tuesday, April 29
2026: Wednesday, April 29
2027: Thursday, April 29
Chapter 2: History of Showa Day
Showa Day was originally the birthday of Emperor Showa and was celebrated as the Emperor’s Birthday.
After Emperor Showa’s death, the holiday changed to “Greenery Day.”
In 2005 (Heisei 17), the government revised the holiday law and renamed the day to “Showa Day.” At the same time, they moved “Greenery Day” to May 4.
Chapter 3: How People Observe It
There aren’t any special traditions specific to Showa Day. It marks the beginning of Golden Week and kicks off a long holiday period.
Since it’s the season when the greenery is at its most beautiful, enjoy it to the fullest! If you’re looking to experience spring, consider visiting places like hot springs or campsites surrounded by fresh greenery. Check out the article below for your next destination.
