Silver Week in Japan: What it is and when it happens

Have you ever heard of Silver Week in Japan?

While Golden Week in spring is well known as Japan’s biggest holiday season, there’s actually another chance for a long holiday break in autumn — called Silver Week.

But here’s the catch: it doesn’t happen every year. Instead, it appears only when Japan’s calendar aligns just right, which makes it feel like a special event whenever it does occur.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Silver Week in Japan — what it is, how it works, why it has such a name, and when the next one will happen. Let’s dive in!

What Is Silver Week?

The “Autumn Version” of Golden Week

Silver Week is a potential string of public holidays in September, similar to Golden Week in May.

Unlike Golden Week, which occurs every year, Silver Week only happens when certain national holidays fall into the perfect arrangement.

Japan’s Golden Week Explained: Holidays, History & Culture

In this article, we’ll explain “Golden Week” — a familiar part of life for Japanese people but surprisingly not well understood — in a simple and casual way!

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It All Depends on the Calendar

Silver Week relies on the timing of two Japanese public holidays in September:

If the calendar lines up so that:

• Respect for the Aged Day is on a Monday
• Autumnal Equinox Day is on a Wednesday

Then the Tuesday in between becomes a holiday too, thanks to a rule in Japan’s holiday law called “Kokumin no kyūjitsu” (National Holiday), which makes a working day between two holidays automatically a holiday.

That means:

• Saturday
• Sunday
• Monday (Respect for the Aged Day)
• Tuesday (National Holiday)
• Wednesday (Autumnal Equinox Day)

= a 5-day holiday!

How the Holiday Timing Works

So, how do these two holidays line up?

• Respect for the Aged Day was moved to the third Monday of September starting in 2003 due to the “Happy Monday System,” a law that moves certain holidays to Mondays to create more long weekends.
• Autumnal Equinox Day is based on astronomical calculations and changes slightly every year, typically falling on September 22 or 23. The exact date is officially announced by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan on February 1 of the previous year.

This means whether Silver Week appears depends on luck and timing — it only happens when the two holidays land just right.

Where Does the Name “Silver Week” Come From?

First Used in 2009

The term “Silver Week” became popular in 2009, when the perfect holiday alignment occurred for the first time under the current system.

That year, a five-day holiday from September 19 (Saturday) to September 23 (Wednesday) took place. A poll by Mitsubishi Electric Building Tech Services asked the public what to call this rare autumn break, and the most popular answer was “Silver Week.”

The media picked it up, and the name caught on quickly.

Not Just for Seniors!

Some people assume “Silver” refers to elderly people, since it coincides with Respect for the Aged Day. But in reality, it’s more like a counterpart to Golden Week — with “Silver” representing a second-place metal and autumn’s cooler tones.

So don’t worry — Silver Week is for everyone!

When Is the Next Silver Week?

The next Silver Week is scheduled to occur in 2026!

Here’s how the calendar looks that year:

• Monday, September 21 – Respect for the Aged Day
• Wednesday, September 23 – Autumnal Equinox Day
• Tuesday, September 22 – becomes a National Holiday

So from Saturday, September 19 to Wednesday, September 23, Japan will enjoy another 5-day Silver Week holiday.

Better start planning now!

FAQ About Silver Week

Final thoughts about Silver Week

Silver Week is a rare but exciting Japanese holiday season that occurs in September, only when:

line up to create a long break, with Tuesday becoming a bonus day off.

Thanks to this unique calendar combination, Silver Week offers up to 5 consecutive days off, but only happens once every few years — the next one is in 2026.

Whether you’re living in Japan or planning a trip, keep an eye on the calendar! Silver Week might just be your perfect chance to explore Japan in the beautiful autumn season.