The Golden Week: Enjoy Some Unique Days In Japan
For a few years now, there are many who know the term Golden Week, especially those who have decided to take a trip to Japan. During this ‘golden week’, the Japanese enjoy the longest holiday period of the year.
What is Golden Week
The Golden Week or Golden Week is the largest vacation period in Japan. This is due to the accumulation of holidays, all of a national nature, that commemorate different historical milestones and celebrate important days for citizens.
During these days, activity in the country slows down significantly to offer its inhabitants a few days of vacation after months of work. Although Japanese students do have long rest periods, most workers rarely get several days in a row to rest or enjoy their free time.
For this reason, during Golden Week, many Japanese take advantage of these dates for inland tourism. Similarly, and for this reason, a large number of foreign tourists prefer to avoid traveling to Japan during this extended vacation period.
The effects of this entire week of holidays had, from the beginning, a strong impact on the leisure, restaurant and tourism industries, with a great favorable economic impact. The figures reached during these days are the cause of its name: Golden Week. A curious fact is that the name was inspired by a successful radio program called Golden Time .
When is Golden Week celebrated
The first thing we should know is that, although the Golden Week officially begins on April 29 and ends on May 5, it does not mean that it is a fixed vacation period for all citizens of the country. It will depend not only on each company, but on the arrangement of the calendar to ensure at least five days off.
During the week there are four outstanding dates, corresponding to the four national holidays that comprise Golden Week. The first of them is Showa no Hi , which is celebrated every April 29 and is the birthday of Emperor Hirohiro. This was the last emperor of the Showa Era.
The second holiday is May 3; It is celebrated on Constitution Day or Kenpou Kinen Bi. On this day, the implementation of the country’s current constitution, created in 1947, after World War II, is commemorated. The Japanese take advantage of this day to call for reflection on the operation of the Japanese government and the establishment of democracy.
After this day, on May 4, Midori no Hi or Green Day is celebrated . On this occasion, the Japanese try to educate the population to protect the environment and preserve nature. It is said that it was the emperor who established this holiday because of his love for plants.
Finally, on May 5, Children’s Day or Kodomo no Hi is celebrated . On this occasion, families gather to pray in the temples for the health and success of the smallest of the house. In this festival, the well-known fabric carp or koinobori are hung from a pole .
Useful facts to travel to Japan during Golden Week
Although the crowds of Japanese can be a problem to move around the country, visit places of interest or simply stay, we must remember that there is also data in favor of traveling on these dates. For example, during Golden Week the weather in Japan is very pleasant.
Another detail that must be considered in order to travel during this vacation period for the Japanese is that everything will be more expensive, from flights to other services. Therefore, we recommend planning your trip in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
It is also advisable to travel around the country by train and buy tickets in advance. If you do not do it this way, it will be very difficult to travel to such emblematic places as Kyoto or Nara.
Finally, we also want to remember that Golden Week is celebrated on all the islands of Japan. It is a great opportunity to travel to the island of Okinawa and see first-hand the wide variety of cultural events that take place during these dates. Take advantage of your trip to live this experience!
