Golden Week: Japan's Busiest Holiday Season
Golden Week is one of the three main holiday seasons in Japan, generally falling between April 29th and May 5th every year. It isn't actually one long holiday, but rather several different holidays that happen to fall within the same week. Since Golden Week is the only long holiday season in Japan where it isn't traditional to return to one's hometown, it is the holiday where many Japanese people choose to take vacations in the country or abroad. This makes Golden Week one of the busiest times of the year.
Let's take a look at the different holidays during Golden Week, things you need to be aware of during this holiday season, and some ways that you can enjoy yourself if you find yourself in Japan during this busy time of year.
The Golden Week Holidays
Four major holidays fall within Golden Week. They are:
・Showa Day (April 29th)
This holiday falls on the birthday of the former Emperor Showa, the namesake of Japan's Showa Era. This holiday is meant to be a day that reflects on the turbulent times during the Showa Era, but for most people, it is now just a day off from work.
・Constitution Memorial Day (May 3rd)
This holiday commemorates the enactment of the post-war Japanese Constitution in 1947.
・Greenery Day (May 4th)
This holiday is dedicated to appreciating nature, so many people will try to get out and do something in the outdoors on this day.
・Children's Day (May 5th)
This holiday is dedicated to celebrating the health and happiness of all children, but traditionally it was dedicated to boys specifically. To this day there are special festivals celebrating boys held on and around Children's Day, while girls are celebrated on Hinamatsuri, or Girl's Day, in March. This is the only holiday during Golden Week that still has important or noticeable celebrations connected to it, which we'll cover shortly.
In 2024, April 27th and 28th fall on the weekend, creating a three-day holiday period from the 27th-29th and a four-day holiday period from the 3rd-6th. Some people will try to take days off from work in between these two periods, so if you are working in Japan and are lucky, you could have as long as 10 days in a row off!
Things to be Aware Of during Golden Week
While having a long holiday seems great on paper (and it is!) there are some important things you need to keep in mind during Golden Week
・Banks Are Closed
During Golden Week, many bank branches will be closed. If you need to do any banking around the end of the month or the beginning of the month, try to do it as early as possible. Banks will be very busy right before Golden Week and from April 30th to May 2nd, so if you do not want to be stuck waiting, get your banking done early.
・ATM Fees May Be Higher
In the past, ATMs were often closed during national holidays, but these days many are still operational on holidays. However, fees for using the ATMs will likely be higher on holidays. If you need to take out some cash or do any other banking through an ATM, again it is best to do it well before Golden Week to avoid long lines at the ATM and higher withdrawal fees.
・Increased Traffic on the Roads and Accidents
Many people choose to travel during Golden Week, which can lead to all kinds of problems. The increased traffic on highways tends to lead to more traffic jams and accidents during Golden Week. If you plan on driving somewhere, leave early in the morning if possible. In 2024, traffic will likely be the worst on May 3rd when people are leaving urban centers like Tokyo to travel to other parts of the country, and on May 5th and 6th when people are heading home. And most importantly: if you do drive during Golden Week, drive safely!
・Everywhere Will be Crowded and More Expensive
Trains and airports will also be much more crowded during Golden Week, so if you plan on taking a plane or train somewhere again, leave early or be prepared to deal with huge crowds. Hotel and airplane ticket prices will also be much higher during Golden Week, so booking these as early as possible will help you avoid paying far more than you might want to.
Popular tourist spots across Japan will also be much busier during Golden Week, so once you arrive at your destination be prepared for crowds. More and more international tourists are coming to Japan every year, and that on top of all of the domestic tourism leads to crowds absolutely everywhere. If you don't like crowds, consider trying to visit areas that are not as touristy or popular.
How to Make the Most of Golden Week
While there are some things that can be frustrating or difficult to deal with during Golden Week, it is a great time to get out and enjoy Japan. There are tons of events and festivals held during Golden Week, so here are some ways that you can enjoy your Golden Week.
・Get Out into Nature
Head to a national park or garden during Golden Week to enjoy the beautiful weather before the rainy season and summer humidity arrive. There are usually many different flowers and trees in bloom during Golden Week, like chamomile, wisteria, and azaleas. Plus, while they may be crowded, national parks and gardens will be much less crowded than other places in Japan like theme parks, and they won't be as expensive.
・Participate in Local Festivals
As we said, there are many festivals taking place during Golden Week, especially related to Children's Day. You'll see carp streamers (Koi no Bori) all over Japan in the buildup to Children's Day, giving cities a festive air. You will be able to find all kinds of other festivals in big cities like Tokyo and even in smaller towns, so do a little research and head out to the ones that seem fun to you.
・Visit Theme Parks
There are amazing theme parks in Japan, the two most popular being Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. If you live in Japan and don't have much vacation beyond Golden Week, it can be a great time to visit one of these theme parks. However, know that popular theme parks will be very crowded during Golden Week, so if you are willing to brave the crowds be sure to book tickets and accommodation well in advance. Major theme parks often let you make reservations for events or restaurants in advance, as well as buy express passes for popular attractions. While it will cost you more, it will help you avoid some of the long lines and waits at these parks.
・Do Things in the Morning and at Night
There tend to be events taking place in the early morning and at night during Golden Week, so try doing some of these activities to avoid the crazy crowds.
・Market Breakfast Experiences: In cities like Tokyo, you may be able to find fresh seafood at markets early in the morning.
・Morning Temple Services: In cities like Kyoto and Nara, it's possible to participate in morning services at temples. This could be a fantastic way to experience authentic Japanese Buddhist culture and avoid crowds at the same time.
・Night Sakura Viewing: Some parts of Japan may still have cherry blossoms blooming during Golden Week (especially in northern prefectures like Hokkaido), so there may still be nighttime illumination events taking place that you could go to.
・Stargazing: You can find stargazing events in areas away from urban centers during Golden Week, as well as at planetariums. This is another way that you could avoid midday crowds and have a wonderful experience looking up at the stars.
Have a Safe and Fun Golden Week!
While you do need to be ready to deal with crowds, Golden Week is such a lively time in Japan because people can fully take advantage of their vacation time and spend it how they want. There are way too many things to do during Golden Week for us to cover in one article, so take the time to do some research and find some events or activities that pique your interest. If you are planning on traveling, be it by car, train, or plane, be sure to stay safe and have a wonderful vacation!
