Emperor's Birthday 2026 in Japan

The Emperor's Birthday is a national holiday celebrated on February 23, marking the birth of Emperor Naruhito. It is one of the rare occasions when the public can enter the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace to offer greetings and well-wishes.

Emperor's Birthday: A Public Holiday?

The Emperor's Birthday (Tennō Tanjōbi) is a national public holiday in Japan, observed with school and office closures as citizens celebrate through official ceremonies and the rare opportunity to offer public greetings at the Imperial Palace.

Emperor's Birthday

The Emperor's Birthday, known as Tennō Tanjōbi, has long been a significant national holiday in Japan. It honors the reigning emperor and changes date with each new ruler. During the Showa era, the birthday of Emperor Hirohito was celebrated on April 29. After his passing, it became Greenery Day. Emperor Akihito's birthday was observed on December 23 during his reign. When he abdicated in 2019 and Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne, the holiday moved to his birthday on February 23.

The tradition reflects Japan's deep respect for the imperial family. Although the emperor holds no political power under the post-war constitution, the position symbolizes unity and national identity. The Emperor's Birthday serves not only as a personal celebration for the monarch but also as a national moment to honor the role of the imperial institution in Japanese culture. It remains a meaningful and ceremonial event in Japan's modern calendar.

Observance of the Emperor's Birthday in Japan

The Emperor's Birthday is one of the few occasions when the public is invited into the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. On February 23, thousands of people gather outside the palace to offer their congratulations and see the emperor and his family appear on a balcony to wave and speak to the crowd. This moment of direct interaction between the people and the imperial family is highly cherished and symbolic. Flags are waved, cheers are raised, and a sense of national unity is felt throughout the event.

Aside from the public greetings, the day includes various official ceremonies. Government leaders deliver formal messages, and national media broadcast tributes highlighting the emperor's role and engagements throughout the year. Schools and organizations sometimes use the occasion to teach about Japan's history, the imperial lineage, and cultural continuity. Security is heightened in central Tokyo, and many public areas are decorated with national flags.

The Emperor's Birthday is important because it blends tradition with modern national identity. It reinforces the emperor's role as a unifying symbol of peace and stability in the country. While it is not a festival filled with entertainment or a large-scale celebration, it carries quiet dignity and national pride. The occasion allows people to reflect on continuity, respect, and the cultural heritage that connects generations in Japan. It is a reminder of how the emperor, though a symbolic figure, continues to play a meaningful part in the life of the nation.

Emperor's Birthday Observances