Japanese schools have three semesters, separated by vacations. At most schools, summer vacation covers the 40-odd days from July 20 to August 31; winter and spring vacation both last around 10 days, from December 26 to around January 6 and March 25 to around April 5, respectively.

Yes, Japanese people do have a summer vacation, though it is often shorter and more structured than the long summer breaks seen in the West. The most significant summer break occurs around the Obon Festival in mid-August (usually around August 13–16). While Obon is not technically a national holiday, almost all major corporations and businesses grant their employees a "Summer Break" (Natsu-yasumi) during this week so they can return to their hometowns to honor their ancestors' spirits. Schools typically have a longer break, usually from late July through the end of August. In 2026, many Japanese companies are continuing to move toward "Flexible Summer Holidays," allowing staff to take their 3–5 days of leave anytime between July and September to avoid the extreme crowds and high travel costs of the Obon peak. This period is also famous for massive fireworks festivals (Hanabi) and local street fairs (Matsuri) held across the country.