In 2030, Autumnal Equinox Day falls on a Monday, giving many a long weekend.
About Autumnal Equinox Day
Autumnal Equinox Day (Shubun no Hi) is a Japanese public holiday held around 22 or 23 September, when day and night are nearly equal in length. Its exact date is fixed each year by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and announced in advance. Established in its current civil form in 1948, the day has older roots in the Shubun-sai imperial rite honouring past emperors and ancestral spirits.
The holiday falls in the middle of autumn higan, a Buddhist week centred on the equinox. Many families visit and clean ancestral graves, offer flowers, incense and seasonal foods, and hold memorial services at temples. A traditional treat is ohagi, sweet rice balls coated in red-bean paste. The occasion is also associated with appreciating nature and reflecting on the change of seasons as daylight begins to shorten.
Autumnal Equinox Day · 2025–2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Autumnal Equinox Day 2030 in Japan?
Monday, Monday, 23 September 2030.
Is Autumnal Equinox Day a public holiday in Japan?
Autumnal Equinox Day — Public holiday (Japan).