People living in Japan have been getting excited about the coming consecutive holidays, “Golden Week.” Some people go back to their hometown, and others plan to visit tourist spots. If you have just come to Japan, you must be wondering what and when Golden Week is.
People around me talk about Golden Week, but I don’t know what it is…
Hi, Andy! Welcome to Japan! I’ll show you what and when Golden Week is and what Japanese people do during Golden Week!!
Golden Week is the week that has the following four Japanese national holidays.
1. Showa Day (昭和の日) (April 29th)
Showa Day is former Emperor Showa’s birthday. The period from 1926~1989 is called the “Showa Period” in Japan. The Japanese government decided on this day as a national holiday to look back on the old days when people had a hard time and rebuild the Japanese culture and economy.
2. Constitution Day （憲法記念日）(May 3rd)
On this day in 1947, the Constitution of Japan was enacted. As the Constitutional amendment has become hot topic last few years, proponents of constitutional reform and opponents open public debates and conduct public opinion surveys.
3. Greenery Day （みどりの日）（May 4th)
Greenery day used to be on April 29 until 2006 and moved to May 4th. The reason why the name is “Greenery Day” is that former emperor Showa loved nature much.
4. Children’s Day（こどもの日） (May 5th)
Japanese people celebrate this day in hopes of children’s happiness and health. Originally, this day was for boys, but currently known as the day for every child. Hanging up the carp streamers called “Koinobori （鯉のぼり）,” parents hopes their children grow up healthy.
Wow, a lot of holidays within a week…
Yes, I remember that I went to my grandparent’s home and hung up the carp streamers on Children’s Day when I was young. Huge Koinobori flew in the sky, and it impressed me… Good old memory.
It should be exciting for all children.
By the way, how many days of a break do we have in Golden Week in 2022?
It depends on the school and company.
Golden Week in 2022 is a long holiday week. You will have a maximum of 10 consecutive days of break.
- Apr 29 (Fri): Showa Day
- Apr 30 (Sat)
- May 1 (Sun)
- May 2 (Mon)
- May 3 (Tue): Constitution Day
- May 4 (Wed): Greenery Day
- May 5 (Thu): Children’s Day
- May 6 (Fri)
- May 7 (Sat)
- May 8 (Sun)
May 1st and May 6th are not holidays. But, some schools and companies do not open these days so that they will have ten consecutive days of a break!!
I should have ten days of a break and visit Kyoto and Osaka!!
Haha, I hope you will have them all! But, if you have 10 days, I think you don’t want to go back to school and work after Golden Week…
Don’t say that, Masa…
I work at a sports shop, so I don’t have any breaks, though.
REALLY!? I’m sorry, Masa.
No worries! I like my job, and I’ll have fun!!
Awesome! Thank you for teaching me about Golden Week!
You’re welcome!!
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