Silver Week 2026 in Japan: Public Holidays in September

Silver Week: Japan's Early Fall Holidays

The dates marked in red are public holidays in September 2026. Photo by Pixta

Silver Week is a period of consecutive public holidays in September. During this time, many people in Japan take time off to travel, leading to heavy crowds and traffic congestion.

This set of consecutive holidays is like a shorter version of Golden Week, which occurs in early May.

In 2026, Silver Week runs for five days—from September 19 to September 23—combining a weekend with three public holidays. By taking extra leave on September 24 and 25, travelers can extend this into a 10-day vacation.

This article covers the schedule for Silver Week 2026, practical tips to avoid the crowds, and top destinations for an autumn getaway.

Silver Week 2026

1. Silver Week: Public Holidays in September
2. What You Need to Know About Silver Week
3. Top 5 Destinations in Japan During Silver Week

Silver Week: Public Holidays in September

The Harvest Moon and the silvery susuki pampas grass are some of the seasonal highlights in September

Silver Week does not occur every year.

It only happens when two September holidays—Respect for the Aged Day (the third Monday) and Autumnal Equinox Day (around September 23)—align in a specific way.

Under Japanese law, any single weekday falling between two national holidays automatically becomes a "citizen’s holiday." When Autumnal Equinox Day falls on a Wednesday, the Tuesday in between becomes an extra day off—creating a continuous 5-day holiday alongside the weekend.

For those who take off on September 24 and 25, Silver Week spans up to 10 days in 2026. After this year, the rare alignment won't happen again until 2032 and 2037.

*1: Autumnal Equinox Day... the day when day and night are of equal length, determined by an astronomical calculation. In Japan, it is also a day to celebrate a good harvest and honor ancestors.

What You Need to Know About Silver Week

During Silver Week, nationwide travel surges as people visit family or take vacations. Major transit hubs, highways, and tourist attractions become heavily congested, making careful planning essential.

Traffic jams are almost guaranteed if you travel by car or bus, which can easily derail your itinerary. While trains offer punctual arrivals, reserved seats sell out rapidly, leaving unreserved passengers to navigate exhausting, overcrowded cars.

To save time and avoid delays, secure reserved train seats or flights well in advance—and remember that early booking is key, as prices rise sharply during this peak travel period.

Traffic during Silver Week follows a clear pattern: outbound routes from major metropolitan areas like Tokyo to regional areas are busiest in the first half of the break, while inbound routes returning to the cities peak in the latter half.

Planning your travel against these flow directions can significantly reduce time spent in transit.

Additionally, data shows that traffic cools down on the final day of the holiday, as most travelers stay home to relax and prepare for the return to work.

The Best Destinations in Japan During Silver Week

1. The Earliest Autumn Foliage in Japan! Mt. Daisetsu in Hokkaido

Picture courtesy of Sounkyo Tourism Association

The end of September, during Silver Week, is a little early to see autumn foliage. However, you can enjoy the wonderful fall colors in the north, where temperatures drop quickly on higher ground.

Mt. Daisetsu is said to have the earliest autumn foliage in the country, and it can be enjoyed from mid-September until early October. Take the ropeway halfway up, and a seven-minute lift ride will get you to the top. If you’re confident in your stamina and physical fitness, you can also walk to the summit to enjoy the amazing view.

Daisetsuzan National Park

Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido 078-1701

2. Enjoy the Season with Hot Springs! Shin-Hotaka in Gifu

The Shin-Hotaka Ropeway is famous as a place where visitors can look down at the autumn foliage that shrouds the overlapping mountains. We recommend taking a dip in the open-air bath at the waystation on the ropeway, so you can relax and gaze out at the mountains.

A round-trip fare for the ropeway (2,900 yen), a ticket for food and drink (2,900 yen), and a pass to the open-air bath (600 yen) can all be enjoyed using the “Refreshing Pack” for just 3,900 yen, which is quite a bargain.

3. Attend one of Tokyo’s Three Great Festivals: Nezu Shrine Reitaisai

The Nezu Jinja Reitaisai is a historic festival held at Nezu Shrine, attracting roughly 30,000 visitors every year.

Highlights of the festival include traditional shrine dances and spirited processions of mikoshi (portable decorated shrines). Bustling street stalls line the spacious grounds, filling the atmosphere with festival food and vibrant energy.

4. Hakone’s Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields

Famous for its vast fields of pampas grass (also known as silver grass), Hakone is a premier destination from late September through early November.

Walking through the shimmering silver and gold fields of Sengokuhara is one of the best ways to experience autumn in Japan.

Hakone is also home to many other fantastic sightseeing spots. These include beautiful Lake Ashi and its famous pirate ship cruise, the surreal art of the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and the ropeway to steaming volcanic Mount Owakudani.

If you’re very lucky and the weather is clear, you may also get the chance to enjoy Hakone’s iconic view of Mount Fuji!

5. Golden Fields and Mount Fuji! Explore Lake Yamanaka

Lake Yamanaka, one of the famous Fuji Five Lakes, offers some of the most spectacular views of Japan’s iconic peak.

Situated on the lake's western shore, Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park is renowned for its seasonal flower displays. Starting in late September, the park transforms into a sea of golden cosmos. Known as "autumn cherry blossoms" (akizakura) in Japan, these vibrant blooms offer a breathtaking seasonal spectacle with Mount Fuji as their backdrop.

To the east side of the lake lies the Lake Yamanaka Panoramic Deck, a point from which visitors can enjoy incredible views of the lake and Mount Fuji. In fall, the fields in front of Mount Fuji become a vast sea of golden pampas grass.

Enjoy the Charm of Early Autumn in Japan during Silver Week

The season around Silver Week offers wonderful weather and food, and it’s the perfect time for traveling. Take the unique travel situations of consecutive holiday periods into account when you plan your trip in order to make the best of your time in Japan.

Main image from Pixta