Japan Golden Week

This is the time of the year when most Japanese people are expecting and awaiting for the long weekend holiday. Golden Week is where all Japanese holidays are piled up in one week. Japanese students may be blessed with a lot of school vacations, however, even if they want to get away for a brief vacation, they cannot do so as a family because not all the working population in Japan have the same privilege. That is why Japanese families look forward to Golden Week because it’s the longest vacation period of the year for most Japanese employees.

Golden Week is from April 29 until May 5 or sometimes May 6. Golden Week holidays are as follows:

April 29: Showa Day (showa no hi)

The birthday of the former Showa Emperor Hirohito who died in 1989 is celebrated. Japanese people commemorate the 63 years of the Showa Era and also the hardships they had to endure during that time.

Until 2006, Greenery Day (now celebrated on May 4) was celebrated on April 29.

May 3: Constitution Memorial Day (kenpou kinenbi)

Japan’s new postwar constitution became effective on May 3, 1947.

May 4: Greenery Day (midori no hi)

Greenery Day is a day where Japanese people should appreciate the environment and nature that surround them.

Until 2006, it was celebrated on April 29. May 4 used to be a nameless holiday. It was a national holiday because a certain law in Japan states that a day between two national holidays also needs to become a holiday.

May 5: Children’s Day (kodomo no hi)

“Kodomo no Hi” also marks the Japanese Boy’s Festival called “tango-no-sekku.” It is a day to pray for the healthy growth of boys’ opposite “The Girl’s Festival,” which is celebrated on March 3.

It is a Japanese tradition for families of boys to hang up carp streamers (koinobori) outside of their houses around this holiday.

Tourists are delighted to see all the carp streamers hanging everywhere in Japan around this time of the year.

At home, families display samurai dolls as well that represent strength and success and prays for a healthy and successful life of one’s son.

At present times, it’s not exclusively a festival for boys anymore, parents generally pray for their children’s good health and happiness.

During Golden Week, Japanese takes vacation and travel around the country or sometimes abroad, which only means that tourist attractions in Japan are crowded during this time. Same goes to airports and train stations. It is widely known that it is difficult to get reservations (accommodations and transportation) during Golden Week so if you and your family are planning to have a trip, plan it a year ahead to avoid hassles and difficulties when booking a flight or hotels, etc.

This year, Golden Week will begin on April 28 with activities through May 6.

Enjoy the holidays and make sure that you are well prepared to go to your vacation destination.