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A1 noun #3,868 most common 9 min read

祝日

shukujitsu Top 3,868

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 祝日 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 祝日 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Shukujitsu' means a day when school or work is closed for everyone in Japan. You might learn it alongside words for the days of the week. At this stage, you should be able to recognize the word on a calendar and understand simple sentences like 'Ashita wa shukujitsu desu' (Tomorrow is a holiday). You don't need to know the names of all 16 holidays yet, just that they exist and mean 'no school.' You should also learn that on these days, you should check the red schedule for buses and trains. It's a fundamental vocabulary word for survival in Japan because it affects when shops are open and when you need to be at class. You will mostly use it in very simple 'Subject + wa + Noun + desu' patterns. Thinking of it as 'National Holiday' is the easiest way to remember it. Even at this basic level, try to distinguish it from 'Yasumi' (rest/vacation), though your teacher will understand if you mix them up. The focus is on basic recognition and the concept of a 'Red Day' on the calendar.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'Shukujitsu' to make plans and describe your routine. You should be able to say things like 'Shukujitsu ni doko ka e ikimasu ka?' (Are you going somewhere on the holiday?). You start to learn the names of major holidays like 'Ganjitsu' (New Year's Day) and 'Kodomo no Hi' (Children's Day). You also learn that 'Shukujitsu' is a noun that can be modified by other words, such as 'Raishū no shukujitsu' (Next week's holiday). You should understand that banks and post offices are closed on these days. At this level, you might also encounter the word 'Renkyū' (consecutive holidays) which often happens because of a 'Shukujitsu.' You should be able to explain why you are not going to work or school using the 'kara' or 'node' grammar points: 'Shukujitsu nanode, yasumi desu.' You are also expected to know that 'Shukujitsu' is more formal than 'Yasumi.' If you are writing a basic email to a teacher, using 'Shukujitsu' shows a better grasp of Japanese social structures than just saying 'Yasumi.'

At the B1 level, you should understand the system of 'Shukujitsu' more deeply. This includes the 'Happy Monday System' (Happī Mandē Seido), where certain holidays were moved to Mondays to create three-day weekends. You should be able to discuss the cultural significance of certain holidays, like 'Seijin no Hi' (Coming of Age Day) or 'Keirō no Hi' (Respect for the Aged Day). You should be comfortable using 'Shukujitsu' in complex sentences, such as 'Shukujitsu to doyōbi ga kasanaru to, zannen da to omou hito ga ooi' (Many people feel it's a pity when a holiday overlaps with a Saturday). You will encounter this word in news articles about travel and the economy. You should also understand the concept of 'Furikae Kyūjitsu' (substitute holidays) and how they are calculated. Your vocabulary should expand to include related terms like 'Kōkyūbi' (official day off) and 'Shukusajitsu' (holidays and festivals). At this stage, you are expected to use 'Shukujitsu' correctly in semi-formal situations, such as asking a shop clerk about their holiday hours or discussing national events with colleagues.

At the B2 level, you can discuss the societal and economic impacts of 'Shukujitsu.' You might read articles about how the number of public holidays in Japan (16) is high compared to other G7 nations, but how this is a response to the long working hours of Japanese employees. You can use 'Shukujitsu' in formal debates or business presentations. For example, you might discuss how 'Shukujitsu' affects the supply chain or retail sales. You should be familiar with the 'Act on National Holidays' and how new holidays like 'Mountain Day' (2016) are enacted. You can distinguish between the nuances of 'Shukujitsu,' 'Kyūjitsu,' and 'Saijitsu' in historical contexts. You should be able to handle complex logistical conversations, such as 'Shukujitsu no daiya de unkō shite iru tame, bin-sū ga sukunaku natte imasu' (Because it is operating on a holiday schedule, the number of services is reduced). Your understanding of the word is now tied to a broader understanding of Japanese law, labor culture, and history.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'Shukujitsu' and its place in Japanese history and law. You can explain the transition from the pre-war 'Saijitsu' (Imperial/Shinto ritual days) to the post-war secular 'Shukujitsu.' You are aware of the political discussions surrounding the creation of new holidays and how they reflect changing Japanese values (e.g., the focus on nature with 'Sea Day' and 'Mountain Day'). You can read legal texts or high-level editorials that use 'Shukujitsu' in the context of labor reform and 'Work-Life Balance' (wāku raifu baransu). You understand the subtle social implications of 'Shukujitsu'—for example, how they are a boon for the tourism industry but a burden for low-income workers in the service sector who do not get paid leave. You can use the word in sophisticated literary or academic contexts, discussing the 'philosophy of rest' in Japanese society. Your command of the word allows you to use it in puns, metaphors, or when discussing complex calendar calculations involving the lunar calendar vs. the Gregorian calendar in historical Japanese contexts.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'Shukujitsu' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can engage in deep sociological discussions about the 'collectivist' nature of Japanese holidays—where everyone rests at the same time—versus the 'individualist' vacation styles of the West. You can interpret the nuances of 'Shukujitsu' in legal disputes regarding overtime pay or labor contracts. You are familiar with the most obscure holidays and the specific imperial rites that still occur on those days behind the scenes (the 'Kyūchū Saishi'). You can write or speak about the 'Shukujitsu' system's evolution from the Meiji era to the present day, including the various revisions of the Holiday Law. You understand how 'Shukujitsu' functions as a tool for national identity and economic stimulation. You can effortlessly switch between the legal term 'Shukujitsu,' the traditional 'Shukusajitsu,' and the colloquial 'Akabi' (Red Day) depending on the audience and the desired tone. Your knowledge extends to how these holidays are perceived in the international community and their role in Japan's global 'Soft Power' (e.g., the international recognition of Children's Day).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

祝日 in 30 Seconds

A legally mandated national holiday in Japan, distinct from personal days off.
There are 16 official holidays per year, marked in red on calendars.
Includes a 'substitute holiday' system if the date falls on a Sunday.
Affects transportation schedules and the opening hours of public institutions.

The Japanese word 祝日 (しゅくじつ - Shukujitsu) specifically refers to a national or public holiday as established by the 'Act on National Holidays' (国民の祝日に関する法律). Unlike a general day off, which is called 休日 (kyūjitsu), a 祝日 is a day mandated by the government where schools, government offices, and many large corporations cease operations to celebrate or commemorate a specific event of national significance. In Japan, these are often colloquially referred to as 'red days' because they are printed in red ink on Japanese calendars.

Legal Definition: A day designated by the Japanese state for the purpose of 'cultivating a healthy spirit and building a better society' through celebration and gratitude.
Social Context: For the average Japanese citizen, a 祝日 represents a precious break from the high-pressure work culture. Because Japan has a culture of low individual vacation usage, these collective holidays are vital for domestic tourism and family gatherings.

来週の月曜日は祝日なので、学校は休みです。
(Raishū no getsuyōbi wa shukujitsu nanode, gakkō wa yasumi desu.)
Next Monday is a public holiday, so school is off.

Japan currently observes 16 national holidays throughout the year. These range from the traditional New Year's Day to modern additions like 'Mountain Day' (Yama no Hi). When a 祝日 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a 'substitute holiday' known as 振替休日 (furikae kyūjitsu). This ensures that the public does not 'lose' a day of rest due to the calendar alignment. Furthermore, if a single non-holiday day is sandwiched between two 祝日, that middle day automatically becomes a public holiday as well, known as 国民の休日 (kokumin no kyūjitsu).

Historically, these days were often tied to imperial rites and were called 祭日 (saijitsu). However, after World War II, the nomenclature shifted to the secular 祝日 to separate the state from religious Shinto ceremonies. Even today, older generations might use the term 'Shukusajitsu' (祝祭日) to encompass both the modern legal holidays and the traditional ritual days. Understanding this word is crucial for travelers, as transportation schedules (buses and trains) often switch to a 'Holiday/Sunday' schedule on these days, and many small businesses might close their doors.

日本の祝日は年間で１６日あります。
(Nihon no shukujitsu wa nenkan de jūrokunichi arimasu.)
There are 16 public holidays a year in Japan.

Golden Week: The most famous cluster of 祝日 occurs from late April to early May, including Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day.

In summary, 祝日 is a formal, legal term. While you might tell a friend 'I'm off tomorrow' using 休み (yasumi), you would use 祝日 to explain *why* the whole country is off. It is a word that carries the weight of national identity and the collective rhythm of Japanese life.

Using 祝日 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and how it interacts with particles like は (wa), に (ni), and の (no). Because it refers to a specific type of day, it often acts as a time marker in a sentence. Below we explore the grammatical structures most common with this word.

As a Subject/Topic: When defining a day or stating a fact about a holiday.
Example: 明日は祝日です。(Ashita wa shukujitsu desu.) - Tomorrow is a public holiday.

祝日は銀行が閉まっています。
(Shukujitsu wa ginkō ga shimatte imasu.)
On public holidays, banks are closed.

When you want to say 'on a holiday,' you use the particle に (ni). This is essential for scheduling activities or describing events that occur specifically during that time frame. However, if you are speaking generally about what happens on holidays, は (wa) is more natural as it sets the holiday as the topic of the sentence.

Modifying Other Nouns: Using の (no) to link 祝日 to another noun.
Example: 祝日の予定 (Shukujitsu no yotei) - Holiday plans.

祝日のダイヤで運行しています。
(Shukujitsu no daiya de unkō shite imasu.)
It is operating on a holiday schedule (timetable).

In more formal or written contexts, you might see 祝日 combined with other kanji to form compound words. For instance, 祝日法 (Shukujitsu-hō) refers to the Holiday Law. When discussing the frequency of holidays, you might hear 祝日の多さ (Shukujitsu no ōsa) - the abundance of public holidays.

この日は、法律で定められた祝日ではありません。
(Kono hi wa, hōritsu de sadamerareta shukujitsu dewa arimasen.)
This day is not a public holiday established by law.

Finally, when asking someone about their plans, the phrase 祝日はどうするの？ (Shukujitsu wa dō suru no?) is a common way to ask 'What are you doing for the holiday?' Note that in very casual speech, people often just say 休み (yasumi), but 祝日 is used when the speaker wants to be precise about the reason for the day off.

Combining with Verbs: Common verbs include 重なる (kasanaru) - to overlap (with a weekend), and 制定する (seitei suru) - to establish/enact (a holiday).

今回の祝日は土曜日と重なってしまった。
(Konkai no shukujitsu wa doyōbi to kasanatte shimatta.)
This public holiday unfortunately overlapped with Saturday.

You will encounter 祝日 in several specific environments in Japan. It is not just a word for calendars; it is a word that dictates the flow of public life. Here are the most common places you will hear or see it.

1. News and Weather Reports: News anchors will often start a broadcast by saying, 'Today is [Holiday Name], a national holiday.' They will then report on traffic congestion (known as jūtai) which is notorious on these days.

明日は祝日のため、各地で渋滞が予想されます。
(Ashita wa shukujitsu no tame, kakuchi de jūtai ga yosō saremasu.)
Because tomorrow is a holiday, traffic jams are expected in various locations.

At train stations, look at the digital displays or the printed timetables on the pillars. You will see two or three columns. One is for 'Weekdays' (平日 - Heijitsu), and the other is for 'Saturdays, Sundays, and 祝日'. If you are traveling on a holiday, you must look at the 'red' or 'pink' column to ensure you don't miss your train.

2. Workplace Announcements: In a Japanese office, your boss might send an email reminding everyone that the office will be closed. 'Shukujitsu ni tsuki, kyūgyō itashimasu' (Closed due to the holiday).

来週は祝日があるので、締め切りが早まります。
(Raishū wa shukujitsu ga aru node, shimekiri ga hayamarimasu.)
Since there is a holiday next week, the deadline will be moved up.

You will also see this word on the doors of clinics, dentists, and banks. Usually, a sign will say '祝日・休診' (Shukujitsu - Kyūshin), meaning 'Closed on Holidays.' If you need a doctor on a 祝日, you often have to find an 'Emergency Holiday Clinic' (休日当番医).

このカフェは祝日も営業していますか？
(Kono kafe wa shukujitsu mo eigyō shite imasu ka?)
Is this cafe open even on public holidays?

3. School Communication: Teachers will use the term when discussing the school calendar with students or parents, often in the context of 'Holiday homework' (祝日の宿題 - though usually just 'holiday' is enough).

For English speakers, the most common mistake is confusing 祝日 (shukujitsu) with 休日 (kyūjitsu). While they both translate to 'holiday' or 'day off' in some contexts, their usage in Japanese is distinct and not always interchangeable.

Mistake 1: Calling Sunday a 'Shukujitsu': A Sunday is a 休日 (kyūjitsu) because it is a day of rest, but it is NOT a 祝日 unless a specific national holiday (like Children's Day) falls on that Sunday. Using 祝日 to mean 'weekend' sounds very strange to Japanese ears.

❌ 毎週の日曜日は祝日です。
✅ 毎週の日曜日は休日です。
(Every Sunday is a day off.)

Another common error is the pronunciation. Beginners often confuse Shukujitsu with Shukusetsu (not a word) or Shukujitsu with Shukuji (a congratulatory speech). Pay close attention to the 'jitsu' (day) ending. Also, avoid using バケーション (bakēshon) to refer to a national holiday. 'Vacation' in Japanese usually implies a longer trip or a personal leave of absence, whereas 祝日 is a single specific day on the calendar.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the 'National' Aspect: If you take a personal day off from work, that is a 有給休暇 (yūkyū kyūka - paid leave) or simply 休み (yasumi). You cannot say 'Tomorrow is my 祝日' because you are not a nation!

❌ 明日は私の祝日です。
✅ 明日は私の休みです。
(Tomorrow is my day off.)

Finally, be careful with the word 祭日 (saijitsu). While many Japanese people use it as a synonym for 祝日, it technically refers to religious festival days. In modern legal and official documents, only 祝日 is used. If you are taking a Japanese exam (like the JLPT), stick to 祝日.

Mistake 3: Particles with 'Yasumi' vs 'Shukujitsu': People often say 'Shukujitsu wa yasumi desu' (Holidays are days off). This is correct. But saying 'Shukujitsu o yasumu' is slightly unnatural; you 'yasumu' (rest/take off) a 'hi' (day) or a 'shigoto' (work), but the 祝日 is the reason for the rest.

To truly master 祝日, you must understand its 'neighbors' in the Japanese vocabulary. There are several words that mean 'holiday' or 'break,' each with its own nuance.

休日 (きゅうじつ - Kyūjitsu): The broadest term for any day you don't work. It includes weekends, public holidays, and personal days off. 祝日 is a sub-category of 休日.
休み (やすみ - Yasumi): The most common and casual word. It can mean a 10-minute break, a lunch hour, a day off, or a month-long vacation. It is a very flexible noun/verb base.

Comparison:
1. 今日は祝日だ。 (Today is a national holiday.)
2. 今日は休日だ。 (Today is a day off - could be Sunday.)
3. 今日は休みだ。 (Today I'm off - very general.)

Then there are the technical calendar terms:

振替休日 (ふりかえきゅうじつ - Furikae Kyūjitsu): Substitute Holiday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the 'rest' is transferred to Monday.
祭日 (さいじつ - Saijitsu): Religious festival days. Though not used in modern law, you will see it in the compound word 祝祭日 (shukusajitsu) meaning 'holidays and festivals.'
連休 (れんきゅう - Renkyū): Consecutive holidays. If a 祝日 falls on a Friday or Monday, creating a 3-day weekend, it is called a 三連休 (san-renkyū).

Finally, consider 公休日 (kōkyūbi), which is a formal term for fixed days off in a contract, often used in HR contexts. For a learner, focusing on the difference between 祝日 (national) and 休み (personal/general) is the most important step.

今年のゴールデンウィークは五連休になります。
(This year's Golden Week will be five consecutive holidays.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Before 1948, these were called 'Shukusajitsu' (祝祭日), which included Shinto rituals. The modern secular term 'Shukujitsu' was part of the post-WWII separation of state and religion.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʃʊ.kʊ.dʒi.tsu

US ʃu.ku.dʒit.su

Japanese does not have stress like English; it uses pitch. In 'Shukujitsu', the pitch usually stays relatively level.

Rhymes With

Jitsu (Fact) Hitsuji (Sheep - partial) Shitsu (Room) Itsu (When) Kajitsu (Fruit) Kinjitsu (Soon) Njitsu (Sun - archaic) Ganjitsu (New Year's Day)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su'.
Over-emphasizing the 'u' sounds (they are often devoiced in Japanese).
Confusing 'Shuku' with 'Shiku'.
Saying 'Shukujitsu' with English-style stress on the first syllable.
Mixing up the 'jitsu' with 'zitsu'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji are relatively simple (JLPT N4/N5 level).

Writing 3/5

Writing '祝' requires attention to stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 2/5

Easy to distinguish in clear speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

日 (Day) 休み (Rest) カレンダー (Calendar) 月曜日 (Monday) 日本 (Japan)

Learn Next

振替休日 (Substitute Holiday) 連休 (Consecutive holidays) 平日 (Weekday) 有給休暇 (Paid leave) お正月 (New Year)

Advanced

国民の祝日に関する法律 (Holiday Law) 中日 (Middle day) 書き入れ時 (Peak time) 閑散期 (Off-peak season) 恩恵 (Benefit)

Grammar to Know

Noun + なので (Reason)

祝日なので休みです。

Noun + のために (Purpose/Reason)

祝日のために準備する。

Time + に (Specific point)

祝日に会いましょう。

Noun + でも (Even if)

祝日でも働きます。

Noun + じゃない (Negative)

今日は祝日じゃない。

Examples by Level

明日は祝日です。

Tomorrow is a public holiday.

A1 sentence using the basic 'A wa B desu' pattern.

祝日は学校が休みです。

On public holidays, school is off.

The particle 'wa' marks the holiday as the topic.

この日は祝日ですか？

Is this day a public holiday?

Question form using the particle 'ka'.

祝日に遊びましょう。

Let's play/hang out on the holiday.

The particle 'ni' indicates the specific time.

月曜日は祝日でした。

Monday was a public holiday.

Past tense of 'desu' is 'deshita'.

祝日は銀行が休みです。

Banks are closed on public holidays.

Simple statement of fact.

日本の祝日は多いです。

There are many public holidays in Japan.

Using the adjective 'ooi' (many).

今日は祝日じゃないです。

Today is not a public holiday.

Negative form 'janai desu'.

祝日の予定はありますか？

Do you have any plans for the holiday?

Using 'no' to link two nouns.

祝日は電車が空いています。

Trains are empty on public holidays.

Describing a state using 'suite imasu'.

来週の祝日に映画を見に行きます。

I'm going to see a movie on next week's holiday.

Combining time markers and the 'ni ikimasu' structure.

祝日なので、デパートは混んでいます。

Because it's a holiday, the department store is crowded.

Using 'nanode' to show cause and effect.

次の祝日はいつですか？

When is the next public holiday?

Asking for information about the future.

祝日には国旗を掲げる家もあります。

On public holidays, some houses display the national flag.

Using 'ni wa' for emphasis and 'mo' for 'also'.

祝日はバスの時間が違います。

Bus times are different on public holidays.

Comparing situations.

お寺は祝日でも開いています。

Temples are open even on public holidays.

Using 'demo' to mean 'even if/even on'.

祝日が日曜日の場合、月曜日が休みになります。

If a holiday falls on a Sunday, Monday becomes a day off.

Using 'ba-ai' to describe a conditional situation.

ハッピーマンデー制度で、祝日が移動しました。

Due to the Happy Monday System, the holiday was moved.

Using 'de' to indicate the reason/means.

祝日はどこへ行っても人でいっぱいです。

No matter where you go on a holiday, it's full of people.

Using the 'te-form + mo' (no matter where).

祝日の由来について調べてみました。

I tried researching the origin of the public holiday.

Using 'ni tsuite' (about) and 'te-miru' (try doing).

この祝日は、自然に感謝する日とされています。

This holiday is considered a day to give thanks to nature.

Passive form 'to sarete iru' (is considered).

祝日に合わせて、特別なイベントが開催されます。

Special events are held to coincide with the holiday.

Using 'ni awasete' (to coincide with).

仕事が忙しくて、祝日も返上で働いています。

I'm so busy with work that I'm working even through the holiday.

The phrase 'henjō' means giving something up (like a day off).

祝日なのに、彼は出勤しなければなりません。

Even though it's a holiday, he has to go to work.

Using 'nanoni' (despite) and 'nakereba narimasen' (must).

祝日の増加が国内の観光需要を喚起しています。

The increase in public holidays is stimulating domestic tourism demand.

Formal vocabulary like 'kanki' (stimulate/evoke).

法律が改正され、新しい祝日が制定されました。

The law was amended and a new public holiday was established.

Passive voice 'seitei sareta'.

祝日の前日は、どこのホテルも予約でいっぱいです。

On the day before a holiday, hotels everywhere are fully booked.

Using 'zenjitsu' (previous day).

祝日をどう過ごすかは、個人の自由です。

How one spends a public holiday is a matter of personal freedom.

Using 'ka wa' to create a noun clause.

祝日が土曜日と重なると、振替休日は発生しません。

If a holiday overlaps with Saturday, a substitute holiday is not generated.

Technical term 'hassei suru' (occur/generate).

政府は祝日を利用して消費を拡大させようとしています。

The government is trying to use holidays to expand consumption.

Volitional form + 'to shite iru' (trying to do).

祝日の意義が薄れているという指摘もあります。

Some point out that the significance of public holidays is fading.

Noun clause 'to iu shiteki' (the point that...).

祝日は、家族団らんの貴重な機会となります。

Public holidays serve as a precious opportunity for family togetherness.

Formal expression 'kikai to narimasu'.

祝日法の趣旨に鑑み、本日の行事を執り行います。

In light of the purpose of the Holiday Law, we will hold today's ceremony.

High-level expression 'ni kangami' (in light of).

戦前の祭日が、戦後、世俗的な祝日へと変容を遂げた。

Pre-war ritual days underwent a transformation into secular public holidays after the war.

Formal verb '変容を遂げる' (undergo transformation).

祝日のあり方が、現代の労働環境において問われています。

The nature of public holidays is being questioned in the modern labor environment.

Passive 'towarete iru' (is being questioned).

祝日が経済に与える波及効果は無視できない規模です。

The ripple effect that public holidays have on the economy is of a non-negligible scale.

Economic term 'hakyū kōka' (ripple effect).

祝日を返上しての勤務が常態化している業界もある。

In some industries, working through holidays has become the norm.

Grammar 'no' turning the phrase into a modifier.

祝日の呼称一つとっても、歴史的な背景が色濃く反映されている。

Even just looking at the names of the holidays, historical backgrounds are strongly reflected.

Expression 'hitotsu totte mo' (taking even one example).

祝日の恩恵を享受できる層と、そうでない層の格差が広がっている。

The gap between those who can enjoy the benefits of holidays and those who cannot is widening.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'kyōju suru' (enjoy/receive).

祝日の制定は、国民の祝祭意識を醸成する役割を担っている。

The establishment of holidays plays a role in fostering a sense of national celebration among the people.

Formal verb 'jōsei suru' (foster/cultivate).

祝日という制度的枠組みが、日本人の労働観を規定してきた側面は否めない。

It cannot be denied that the institutional framework of national holidays has played a part in defining the Japanese view of labor.

Double negative 'ina-menai' (cannot be denied).

祝日の多層的な意味合いを紐解くには、民俗学的なアプローチが必要だ。

To unravel the multi-layered meanings of public holidays, a folkloristic approach is necessary.

Metaphorical verb 'himotoku' (unravel/read).

グローバル化の進展に伴い、祝日のローカルな固有性が再評価されている。

With the progress of globalization, the local uniqueness of public holidays is being re-evaluated.

C2 level abstract discussion.

祝日の商業化が進む一方で、その本来の精神的支柱が形骸化しつつある。

While the commercialization of holidays progresses, their original spiritual pillars are becoming mere shells.

Advanced term 'keigaika' (becoming a mere shell/formalized).

祝日法を巡る議論は、国家のアイデンティティ形成と不可分に関わっている。

The debates surrounding the Holiday Law are inseparably linked to the formation of national identity.

Formal phrase 'fukabun ni' (inseparably).

祝日の変遷を辿れば、その時代の権力構造の変遷が浮き彫りになる。

If you trace the changes in holidays, the shifts in the power structure of the era become clearly visible.

Idiom 'ukibori ni naru' (become prominent/clear).

祝日が単なる『余暇』として消費される現状に、警鐘を鳴らす識者も少なくない。

Not a few experts are sounding the alarm about the current situation where holidays are consumed merely as 'leisure.'

Idiom 'keishō o narasu' (sound an alarm).

祝日の公共性が、私的な領域の拡大によって侵食されているという議論がある。

There is an argument that the public nature of holidays is being eroded by the expansion of the private sphere.

Abstract academic argument.

Synonyms

休日祭日公休日国民の祝日旗日

Antonyms

平日勤務日

Common Collocations

祝日を祝う

祝日が重なる

祝日の振替

祝日ダイヤ

祝日返上

法定祝日

祝日の谷間

祝日休み

祝日の制定

祝日明け

Common Phrases

祝日はお休みですか？

— Are you off on the holiday? Used to ask about someone's schedule.

「祝日はお休みですか？」「はい、休みです。」

祝日のため休診

— Closed due to the holiday. Common on clinic doors.

看板に「祝日のため休診」と書いてある。

祝日でも営業中

— Open even on holidays. Used by shops and restaurants.

このスーパーは祝日でも営業中だ。

祝日が待ち遠しい

— I can't wait for the holiday. Expressing excitement.

仕事が辛いので、祝日が待ち遠しい。

祝日の混雑

— Holiday crowding. Referring to busy tourist spots.

祝日の混雑を避けて家で過ごす。

祝日の前夜

— The night before a holiday. Often a time for parties.

祝日の前夜は飲み会が多い。

祝日の朝

— Holiday morning. Usually implies a lazy or slow start.

祝日の朝はゆっくり起きる。

祝日を利用して

— Using the holiday (to do something).

祝日を利用して旅行に行く。

祝日と週末

— Holidays and weekends. Often grouped together.

祝日と週末は料金が高くなります。

祝日の行事

— Holiday events or ceremonies.

祝日の行事に参加する。

Often Confused With

祝日 vs 休日

Kyujitsu is any day off; Shukujitsu is only national holidays.

祝日 vs 祭日

Saijitsu is for religious festivals; technically outdated but still used.

祝日 vs 記念日

Kinenbi is an anniversary (like a birthday); it doesn't mean work is off.

Idioms & Expressions

"祝日返上"

— Giving up one's holiday to work or study.

受験生は祝日返上で勉強している。

neutral

"盆と正月が一緒に来たよう"

— As if Obon and New Year came at once. Used for very busy or very happy/festive times.

孫たちが遊びに来て、盆と正月が一緒に来たようだ。

informal

"祝日の谷間"

— The 'gap' days between holidays (e.g., a Tuesday between a Monday holiday and a weekend).

祝日の谷間に休みを取って大型連休にする。

neutral

"カレンダー通り"

— Following the calendar exactly (having off only on Saturdays, Sundays, and 祝日).

私の仕事はカレンダー通りです。

business

"旗日"

— An old name for holidays, because people would display the national flag (hata).

昔は祝日のことを旗日と呼んでいた。

archaic

"大型連休"

— A long string of holidays, like Golden Week.

今年の大型連休は何をしますか？

neutral

"振替"

— The act of moving a holiday's day off to a weekday.

日曜が祝日だったので、月曜が振替になった。

neutral

"中日"

— The middle day of a multi-day holiday period.

連休の中日は一番混む。

neutral

"書き入れ時"

— A peak period for business, often occurring during holidays.

祝日は観光地にとって書き入れ時だ。

business

"骨休め"

— Resting one's bones; a good rest during a holiday.

祝日は温泉に行って骨休めをする。

informal

Easily Confused

祝日 vs 休日 (Kyūjitsu)

Both mean 'holiday' or 'day off'.

Kyūjitsu is the umbrella term for any non-working day. Shukujitsu is specifically a government-mandated national holiday. All Shukujitsu are Kyūjitsu, but not all Kyūjitsu (like Sundays) are Shukujitsu.

日曜日は休日ですが、祝日ではありません。

祝日 vs 休み (Yasumi)

The most common word for 'off'.

Yasumi is very broad and can mean a short break or a long vacation. It is more personal. Shukujitsu is a formal term for a specific calendar day.

ちょっと休みを取りましょう。

祝日 vs 休暇 (Kyūka)

Means 'vacation' or 'leave'.

Kyūka usually refers to a period of time off requested by an individual (like summer vacation or paid leave). Shukujitsu is a single day fixed by law.

有給休暇を使って旅行する。

祝日 vs 祭日 (Saijitsu)

Often used interchangeably by natives.

Saijitsu refers to days of imperial or religious rites. While many 祝日 originated as 祭日, the legal term is now exclusively 祝日.

祝祭日のスケジュールを確認する。

祝日 vs 連休 (Renkyū)

Both involve being off work.

Renkyū refers to the 'string' of consecutive days off. A Shukujitsu often creates a Renkyū.

三連休の初日は道が混む。

Sentence Patterns

[Date] は祝日です。

明日は祝日です。

祝日なので、[Reason]。

祝日なので、学校は休みです。

祝日を利用して、[Action]。

祝日を利用して、京都へ行きました。

祝日が [Day] と重なる。

祝日が日曜日と重なりました。

祝日の趣旨は、[Explanation] です。

祝日の趣旨は、勤労を尊ぶことです。

祝日の形骸化が [Problem]。

祝日の形骸化が懸念されています。

祝日の[Noun]。

祝日の予定を教えてください。

祝日でも [Condition]。

祝日でもお店は開いています。

Word Family

Nouns

祝賀 (shukuga) - celebration

祝辞 (shukuji) - congratulatory address

祝儀 (shūgi) - celebratory gift money

祝砲 (shukuhō) - 21-gun salute

Verbs

祝う (iwau) - to celebrate

Adjectives

祝福的な (shukufukuteki na) - celebratory/blessed

休日 (kyūjitsu) - day off

祭日 (saijitsu) - festival day

記念日 (kinenbi) - anniversary

休暇 (kyūka) - vacation

休み (yasumi) - rest

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent, especially in news, scheduling, and calendar contexts.

Common Mistakes

Calling a personal day off 'Shukujitsu'. → Ashita wa yasumi desu. (Tomorrow is my day off.)
Shukujitsu is only for national holidays that apply to everyone.
Using 'Shukujitsu' for Saturday. → Doyōbi wa kyūjitsu desu. (Saturday is a day off.)
Saturdays and Sundays are Kyūjitsu, but not necessarily Shukujitsu.
Saying 'Shukujitsu o iwau' for every holiday. → Shukujitsu o tanoshimu. (Enjoy the holiday.)
While 'iwau' means celebrate, most people just 'enjoy' or 'rest' on holidays unless it's a major festival.
Pronouncing it as 'Shukujit-su' with a heavy 'T'. → Shukujitsu (soft 'tsu').
The 'tsu' should be blended, not a hard 't' stop.
Using 'Shukujitsu' when you mean 'Vacation'. → Natsu-yasumi (Summer vacation).
A vacation is a long period; a Shukujitsu is a single day.

Tips

The 'Red Day' Rule

Always check a Japanese calendar for 'Red Days'. Even if you don't know the name of the holiday, if the number is red, it's a Shukujitsu or a Sunday. This is vital for avoiding arriving at a closed bank or missing a holiday train schedule.

Particles with Shukujitsu

Use 'ni' for a specific holiday ('Shukujitsu ni ikimasu') and 'wa' when talking about holidays in general ('Shukujitsu wa ginkō ga yasumi desu'). Never use 'Shukujitsu o' unless you are performing an action on the holiday itself, which is rare.

Timetable Colors

At train stations, the 'Shukujitsu' schedule is almost always the red or pink column. Weekdays are usually white or blue. If you are traveling on a holiday, look for the red text!

Kanji Meaning

Remember the kanji: 祝 (Celebrate) + 日 (Day). It's literally a 'Celebration Day'. This helps distinguish it from 休日 (Rest Day).

Holiday Greetings

Unlike 'Merry Christmas,' there isn't a specific greeting for every Shukujitsu. People just enjoy the day off. However, for New Year's (Ganjitsu), there is a very specific greeting: 'Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu'.

Email Etiquette

If you are working in Japan, it is polite to send a reminder email before a long string of holidays (like Golden Week) stating: 'Shukujitsu no tame, renraku ga okuremasu' (Due to the holidays, my response will be delayed).

Renkyū vs Shukujitsu

If a holiday is on a Monday, the Saturday-Sunday-Monday period is a 'Renkyū' (consecutive holidays). Use 'Renkyū' when talking about the whole weekend, and 'Shukujitsu' when talking about the Monday specifically.

Holiday Surcharges

Be aware that some karaoke boxes, restaurants, and hotels have 'Shukujitsu Ryōkin' (Holiday Rates), which are higher than weekday prices.

Emergency Clinics

If you get sick on a Shukujitsu, look for a 'Kyūjitsu Tōban-i' (Holiday Duty Doctor). Regular clinics will be closed, but there is always one doctor in each area assigned to work the holiday.

JLPT Context

In JLPT listening sections, 'Shukujitsu' is a frequent distractor. They might say 'It's usually open, but tomorrow is a holiday,' meaning it will be closed. Listen carefully for the word!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'SHU' (shoe) that you wear to a 'KU' (cookout) on a 'JITSU' (just) great day off!

Visual Association

Visualize a calendar where all the numbers are black, but one special day is bright red with a party hat on it.

Word Web

Calendar Red Rest No School National Law Golden Week Monday

Challenge

Try to find three 'red days' on a Japanese calendar and name what holidays they are.

Word Origin

The word is a Sinitic compound (Kango). '祝' (Shuku) comes from the Chinese character for 'celebrate' or 'pray,' and '日' (Jitsu) means 'day.'

Original meaning: A day of celebration or prayer.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Avoid confusing 祝日 with religious 'matsuri' (festivals), as 祝日 is a secular legal term.

Unlike 'Bank Holidays' in the UK or 'Federal Holidays' in the US, Japanese 祝日 are more numerous and often fall on fixed dates rather than always being on Mondays, though the 'Happy Monday' system is changing this.

The 'Happy Monday System' (ハッピーマンデー制度) Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) Silver Week (シルバーウィーク)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Train Station

祝日ダイヤですか？
祝日の運行状況
赤色の時刻表
連休の混雑

At the Office

祝日は出勤ですか？
祝日明けの会議
祝日返上で働く
カレンダー通りの休み

Planning a Trip

祝日の宿泊料金
祝日に行くのは避ける
次の祝日はいつ？
三連休の旅行

At a Clinic/Bank

祝日はお休みです
祝日当番医
祝日のATM手数料
窓口は祝日休み

Talking to Friends

祝日、何するの？
祝日だから混んでるね
また祝日だ！
祝日が楽しみ

Conversation Starters

"今度の祝日は、何か予定がありますか？ (Do you have plans for the upcoming holiday?)"

"日本の祝日は、他の国に比べて多いと思いますか？ (Do you think Japan has many holidays compared to other countries?)"

"一番好きな祝日は何の日ですか？ (What is your favorite public holiday?)"

"祝日が土曜日だと、少し損した気分になりませんか？ (Don't you feel a bit cheated when a holiday falls on a Saturday?)"

"次の祝日には、どこかへ旅行に行きたいですか？ (Do you want to go on a trip during the next holiday?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の祝日はどのように過ごしましたか？詳しく書いてください。 (How did you spend today's holiday? Write in detail.)

あなたの国の祝日と日本の祝日の違いについて書いてください。 (Write about the differences between your country's holidays and Japan's.)

もし新しい祝日を作れるなら、何という名前にしますか？ (If you could create a new holiday, what would you name it?)

祝日に仕事や勉強をすることについて、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about working or studying on public holidays?)

最近の祝日で一番印象に残っている出来事は何ですか？ (What is the most memorable event from a recent holiday?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. A Sunday is a 'Kyujitsu' (day off), but it is only a 'Shukujitsu' if a national holiday falls on that specific date. However, on calendars, both are usually printed in red.

Japan has a 'substitute holiday' system (Furikae Kyujitsu). If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a day off instead.

Large department stores and supermarkets are usually open and very busy. However, small local shops, clinics, banks, and post offices are typically closed.

There are currently 16 national holidays per year in Japan, which is quite high compared to other countries.

Ganjitsu (New Year's Day) on January 1st is considered the most significant, though many people also value the cluster of holidays in Golden Week.

Yes, but they usually follow the 'Sunday/Holiday' timetable (祝日ダイヤ), which may have fewer trains than the weekday schedule.

No, Golden Week is a collection of four different Shukujitsu that happen within one week, often combined with weekends to create a long break.

Yes, in casual speech 'Yasumi' is fine. 'Ashita wa yasumi desu' is very common. 'Shukujitsu' is more precise and formal.

Yama no Hi (Mountain Day) is the newest Shukujitsu, established in 2016 to encourage people to appreciate Japan's mountains.

Yes, all public and most private schools are closed on national holidays.