Public elementary and middle schools are closed on national holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

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. The new school year starts in April, at the end of spring vacation.

Photos courtesy of Tokyo Metropolitan Government.