Golden Week in Japan ゴールデンウィーク

The Japanese Golden Holiday Week

The "Golden Week" refers to a week made up of several consecutive holidays, between April 29 and May 5 each year on the archipelago. On this occasion, the vast majority of Japanese take the opportunity to take days off and therefore go on vacation.

What is Golden Week?

Why are these days public holidays? The travel frenzy begins with the first of four public holidays: April 29 is the birthday of Emperor Showa ( Shōwa no hi ), known as Hirohito (1901-1989). May 3 is Constitution ( Kenpō kinen bi ) commemoration day, which was enacted in 1947.

May 4th is " Nature Day " ( midori no hi ). Finally, the series ends on May 5 with the Children's Day ( Kodomo no hi ) which turns out to be more specifically the boys' party .

kodomo no hi

Les carpes accrochées lors de la fête des garçons

Wikimedia Commons

Emperor Showa Hirohito (1926-1989)

Emperor Showa Hirohito (1926-1989)

Stuart Rankin

Latest Articles

L'artisanat traditionnel du Tohoku - les poupées Kokeshi

Traditional Arts & Crafts of Tohoku

Located north of the main island of the Japanese archipelago, the northern part of Honshu known as Tohoku has its own cultural identity and traditions passed down from generations for years.

Summer in Japan: Furin

5 tips for surviving the Japanese summer

With its temperatures reaching 40°C in the sun and its humidity... the Japanese summer can be unbearable when you are confronted with it for the first time.

Torii Gates

Shinto & Shrines

A guide for travellers to Japan on Shintoism and visiting shrines with information sourced from a 17th generation Shinto Priestess. 

See All (368)