I made a visit to Japan shortly after christmas, 2016 and through the early part of 2017 (~January 8). I recall a huge portion of small business being closed as a time for break/rest or some other tradition. There were so many cool parts of tokyo, osaka, kyoto with small lanes and intricate shops that I couldn't enter. I plan to go back around that time next year but hoping to avoid the closures.

What exactly are those dates where most business close?