We will be in Tokyo in October and I understand Oct 9 is a national holiday. Do subways run different schedules, are stores open, what about museums? thank you!
By simple_ga... Best Answer
In Japan, the only public holidays that actually MEAN a holiday are the new year's holidays!
Any other 'holiday' doesn't close anything except the schools, medical centres, and offices - in fact, most public places, like zoos etc., state in their blurb something like "we open 6 days a week, with Tuesday being our day off, except when Tuesday is a public holiday, in which case we will be open on Tuesday and close on Wednesday instead."
When it comes to shopping, you might find extended opening hours and special offers - but obviously it will vary from store to store, and some independent shops will close for a family day!
As so many people have mentioned that the train schedules might be like the week-end, here's a web-site for you to check out the times. I haven't used it myself though, so I can't vouch for it - I leave it to my Japanese husband to use the Yahoo.jp travel pages!
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae...
I don't think it will make any difference to you though that the trains are not a week-day schedule, because there will still be lots of trains..!
; )
BTW, don't expect the streets to be free of kids - many schools now have their 'sports festival' before the summer holidays, including my daughter's, so many of those kids will be milling around public places with their families..!
Other Answer
Subways will always be running as usual, just like any other day. Stores and shops will also be open. Nothing different really.
Pretty well everything will be open. It's a day off for offices, factories, schools etc. but retail, hospitality, etc.are to it and at it. The Sunday schedule will apply. Trains might not run say...a 05:45, but the 06:00 run will be right on time.
everything will be open except the subways since they expect you to fitness everywhere. bring good shoes and sweatbands and get ready to fitness.
Trains and buses will run the Sat/Sun schedules, buses will have Japanese flags on the front.
Museums will be open (but most will close on the 10th - be careful)
Supermarkets, department stores etc will all be open as usual. (some smaller private stores may close).
Trains, busses and the subway systems will run on a holiday schedule. The holiday schedule does not have a huge difference between the regular weekday schedule.
Museums, stores and public attractions will be open normal hours. Some places might be less crowded, since most families are at the schools watching their kids participate in the fitness and sports day events.