How Long Summer Break In Japan
What is summer break in Japan? Summer break in Japan is the longest holiday of the school year, lasting from mid-May to mid-August. Japanese students have summer vacation like other kids around the world. Summer holiday is a period to rest and recuperate after the intense hustle and bustle of the school year.
The summer of 2016, my first year in Japan, was filled with many surprises. In March, I started working at Fukuoka University of Education, a four-year university in the city of Hakata. Prior to departing for Japan, I had an idea that Japanese students didn’t take much time off during July and August. However, I hadn’t understood the true meaning of “summer break” until I arrived and saw the figures. While this blog is aimed at potential expats considering working as an ALT in Japan or also at other foreigners teaching English in schools across Japan, it may also be used as a resource to learn more about Japan’s school system.
As foreign residents in Japan, we naturally need to know how long summer vacation will last. And nothing becomes official until it is put on paper in bold letters: Official documents. So, here you have our guide to everything you need to know and do to get ready for Japan’s summer vacation period. Let’s see…“summer break” is apparently a thing. That’s why it’s called “break.” We have school for 180 days, which translates to about 180 opportunities to learn something new. Then Spring Break comes around and we have an extra week to really put our foot to the gas and drive that lesson into the ground until it becomes completely uncomfortably lodged under our skin. But then, as soon as we start driving home from our weekend getaway, BAM…it’s gone!
How Long Summer Break In Japan
Are you or one of your family members attending one of The Best International Schools in Japan? Learn more about the School Holidays in Japan in 2020!
The Japanese school year begins in April. The first term runs to around July 20, when summer vacation begins. Kids return to school in early September for the second term, which lasts until about December 25. The final term begins in early January and continues to late March.
Summer vacation at most Japanese public elementary and middle schools now starts on Marine Day on July 20 and usually lasts for around six weeks through the end of August.
The second term of the school year, which includes such big events as field day and the school festival, comes to an end in December. In most Japanese middle schools, finals begin toward the end of November and are usually held over three days, covering nine subjects: English, math, Japanese, science, social studies, physical education, home economics, music, and art.
Public elementary and middle schools are closed on national holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Japanese schools have three semesters, separated by vacations.
School Holidays in Japan 2020-2021
*All dates are subject to errors and changes
| Holiday | Date | Notes |
| Spring Holidays | from 27-03-2019 to 12-04-2019 | |
| Shōwa Day | 29-04-2020 | |
| Constitution Memorial Day | 03-05-2020 | |
| Greenery Day | 04-05-2020 | |
| Children’s Day | 05-05-2020 | |
| Constitution Memorial Day (observed) | 06-05-2020 | |
| Summer Holidays | from 20-07-2020 to 31-08-2020 | |
| Respect-for-the-Aged Day | 15-09-2020 | |
| Autumnal Equinox Day | 23-09-2020 | |
| Health-Sports Day | 10-10-2020 | |
| Culture Day | 03-11-2020 | |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day | 23-11-2020 | |
| Emperor’s Birthday | 23-12-2020 | |
| Winter Holidays | from 25-12-2020 to 07-01-2021 | |
| Coming of Age Day | 13-01-2021 | Second Monday in January |
| Adults’ Day | 15-01-2021 | |
| National Foundation Day | 11-02-2021 | |
| Emperor’s Birthday | 23-02-2021 | |
| Vernal Equinox Day | 21-03-2021 |
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School hours’ change toward breaks
One interesting fact is they start to gradually shorten the school hours when a break approaches.
For example, they normally have 6 periods in a day. Length of a school day varies depending on each school, but let’s say the school starts at 8:20 and ends at 3:00 to cover those 6 periods.
From around July 14, they start to have only 4 periods a day. Students eat hot lunch and after cleaning time, they go home at around 1pm.
After a few days of that, they will shorten the day even farther. They will have 3 periods a day and no hot lunch, but a cleaning time.
The final day of the school, which is usually July 19, they will have only 1 or 2 periods.
When the school resumes in September, they will do the opposite.
The first day, they have only 1 or 2 periods. Then, they gradually increase the school hours.
Does it make it difficult for parents?
Not really.
Kids go to school by themselves and come home by themselves.
So, if you are at-home parents, you see them come home early.
If you work outside of home, you would arrange after-school care called “gakudo” which is normally provided in a facility attached to public elementary schools. (Gakudo is very cheap by the way. I used to pay 7,000 yen per month for them to keep my son after school every day. They were open till 7pm.)
When they are older, you’d let your kids stay at home by themselves.
Homework during breaks
kids are given home works to do during breaks.
It will be either a work book on several subjects or tens of handout made by the teacher.
You are supposed to do it little by little everyday to finish it.
Some kids don’t do it everyday and they will end up staying up all night to finish it at the end of summer.