A designated day off that is not part of regular holidays, often granted by an employer or institution for a specific reason.
The company's founding anniversary is treated as a special holiday.
This year, special holidays increased, making the consecutive holidays longer.
祝日 is a public holiday established by law, while 特別休日 is an extra day off designated by a specific organization or for a particular occasion.
休日 is a general term for a day off or holiday, whereas 特別休日 specifically refers to a special, non-regular holiday.
Compound of 特別 (special) and 休日 (holiday). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is transparently formed from its components.