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Nenkyuu and Obon
Obon is a holiday which usually occurs around the second/third week of August. This is not a national holiday but it is probably the most widely observed cultural event in Japan. During this time almost no one comes to work; instead, they spend time with their family and honor deceased loved ones. For more information about obon, visit the wikipedia page.
When Japanese workers take time off to observe Obon, they are expected to use nenkyuu. Some schools will be lenient and allow you to stay at home without using nenkyuu. Others will ask you to come in despite the fact that you may be the only person here. Still others will absolutely insist that you stay home (because no one will be in the office) and may also insist that you use nenkyuu to do so.
Please ask your school about obon holidays as soon as you have the chance, and find out what they intend to do for you. If they ask you not to come in and use nenkyuu, and you do not want to use it, talk to your supervisor and try to arrange some sort of alternative which will be acceptable for both you and your CO.
Your school can urge you to take nenkyuu but they cannot force it, unless you stamped the form or have already taken the time off. After you stamp the form for taking nenkyuu, there is very little which you can do to take it back.
If your school asked you not to come in and expected you to take nenkyuu, but never told you that this would happen, try talking to your supervisor to see if you can't arrange to come in a different day, to make up for the day which you lost. However, if you already took the day off, your school has the right to demand that you use nenkyuu to account for these days.
Clarity can go a long way with this issue. Just make sure you discuss with your supervisor how to handle Obon before the holiday.