Japan calendar countdown
National Foundation Day is getting closer.
Japan's National Foundation Day falls on 11th February.
Dates for 2026 to 2028 are listed below
National Foundation Day in Japan
The date celebrates the founding of Japan according to traditional accounts.
About National Foundation Day in Japan
Kenkoku Kinen no Hi relates to the traditional account of Emperor Jimmu, Japan's legendary first emperor, said to have taken the throne in 660 BC. An earlier version of the observance, Kigensetsu, was abolished after the Second World War and revived as a national holiday in 1966. It is a quieter occasion than many national days, with shrine events and public lectures in some places.
When is National Foundation Day in Japan?
National Foundation Day is fixed on 11 February each year, and a substitute holiday is normally given on the next Monday when it falls on a Sunday.
| Calendar | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Saturday 4 July 2026 | Sunday 4 July 2027 | Tuesday 4 July 2028 |
| Canada | Wednesday 1 July 2026 | Thursday 1 July 2027 | Saturday 1 July 2028 |
| Australia | Monday 26 January 2026 | Tuesday 26 January 2027 | Wednesday 26 January 2028 |
| China | Thursday 1 October 2026 | Friday 1 October 2027 | Sunday 1 October 2028 |
| Japan | Wednesday 11 February 2026 | Thursday 11 February 2027 | Friday 11 February 2028 |
Planning around National Foundation Day
February weather can be cold and snowy, so check conditions if travelling, and consider combining the holiday with a ski trip, booking lodging early. Work out shifts and childcare cover with the free shift planner, or browse every holiday countdown.
National Foundation Day questions
How many days until National Foundation Day in Japan?
The live counter at the top of this page shows the days, hours, minutes and seconds left until the next National Foundation Day in Japan, using the time zone you choose. The dates for 2026 to 2028 are in the table above.
When is National Foundation Day in 2027 in Japan?
In the Japan calendar, National Foundation Day falls on Thursday 11 February 2027. The date is different in some other countries, so check the table above for your calendar.
Who was Emperor Jimmu?
Jimmu is the legendary first emperor of Japan in traditional accounts such as the Nihon Shoki. Historians regard these accounts as legend rather than established history, but the story underpins the holiday.