National holiday
Sports Day
スポーツの日
A national holiday promoting health, sports, and an active life.
- This year
- Oct 12 (Mon)
- Second Monday of October
History
Created as Health and Sports Day (体育の日) in 1966 to commemorate the 1964 Tokyo Olympics opening (October 10). It moved to the second Monday of October in 2000. Renamed Sports Day (スポーツの日) in 2020. School undokai sports days often happen on nearby weekends rather than the holiday itself.
How it is observed
Sports events, marathon festivals, and school athletics meets. Parks fill with recreational athletes.
Travel tips
A handy long weekend for day trips. Autumn foliage may be starting in higher elevations. Book popular hiking buses if visiting national parks.
Related shrines & temples
Places often visited around this day — open a shrine page or search the directory.