The national government of Japan establishes these holidays under the law. On national holidays, banks, schools, public offices and public services are closed. Many companies are also closed on holidays, although shopping malls and stores often remain open.

Japan has three parts of crowded periods: The New Year's Weeks (from the last week of December to January 3); the Golden Week (from April 29 to May 5) and the Bon Week (mid-August).