Many boast about their 3 consecutive days of holiday, but did you know that there is an entire week of holidays in Japan? We are talking about the golden week, the famous Golden Week. Today we will see what happens during this great Japanese week and which holidays take place in it.
The Golden Week [ゴールデンウィーク] or golden week is the combination of four Japanese holidays in a period of 7 days, usually having combinations with weekends. The Golden Week is one of the 3 major Japanese holidays and takes place from April 29 to May 5.
Golden Week is a national holiday, so many workers and students take the opportunity to go on vacation and rest at relatives’ houses, travel, or enjoy. It is recommended to make advance reservations at hotels, as during this holiday, practically everything gets crowded.
What are the holidays or dates that constitute the Golden Week? Let’s see below a little about each special date of the Golden Week.
Table of Contents
What is Golden Week?
As already mentioned, it is the longest holiday period in Japan. Many Japanese citizens take paid leave during this holiday, and some companies are completely closed and grant leave to their employees.
The Golden Week is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese workers. Only two other Japanese holidays last almost the entire week: the Japanese New Year in January and the Obon festival in August.
The holiday can also be called “oogatarenkyuu” [大型連休] which literally means long holiday or big holiday. In Japanese, Golden Week can also be written as “oogonshuukan” [黄金週間].
See below the holidays that make up the Golden Week:
| Date | Holiday | Japanese Name | Celebrated |
| April 29 | Emperor’s Birthday | Tencho Setsu [天長節] | 1927-1948 |
| April 29 | Emperor’s Birthday | Tenno Tanjobi [天皇誕生日] | 1949-1988 |
| April 29 | Greenery Day | Midori no Hi [みどりの日] | 1989-2006 |
| April 29 | Showa Day | Showa no Hi [昭和の日] | 2007 to present |
| May 3 | Constitution Day | Kenpō Kinenbi [憲法記念日] | 1949 to present |
| May 4 | Citizen’s Holiday | Kokumin no Kyūjitsu [国民の休日] | 1988-2006 |
| May 4 | Greenery Day | Midori no Hi [みどりの日] | 2007 to present |
| May 5 | Children’s Day | Kodomo no Hi [子供の日] | 2007 to present |
History and Origin of Golden Week
Due to the implementation of the national holiday law in 1948, the holidays were concentrated in the period from April 29 to May 5, and this period became known as Golden Week because of the influence of the film world.
In 1951, the film Jiyū Gakkō recorded higher ticket sales during this holiday-filled week than at any other time of the year (including New Year and Obon). This led the managing director of Daiei Film Co., Ltd. to dub the week “Golden Week” based on the Japanese radio jargon “golden time,” which indicates the period with the highest listener ratings.
At that time, April 29 was a national holiday celebrating the birth of Emperor Shōwa. After his death in 1989, the day was renamed to “Green Day.” In 2007, Green Day was moved to May 4 and April 29 was renamed Showa Day to commemorate the late Emperor.
April 29 – Start of the Golden Week
In the past, this was also the date of the Emperor’s Birthday, but this National Holiday refers to the Reigning Emperor. So much so that currently this holiday occurs on February 23. The reign of Emperor Hirohito is still remembered by the name Showa no Hi.
Showa no hi (昭和の日) is the name of the current holiday that celebrates the birthday of the former Emperor Showa, who died in 1989. On this day, the Japanese remember the 63 years of the Showa Era and also the difficulties they had to endure during that turbulent time.
Before World War II, this holiday was also called Tenchōsetsu [天長節] which referred to the birthday of the Empress’s consort. After the war, the new government renamed it to Tennō tanjōbi, in less formal language. Between 1989 and 2006, April 29 was used to refer to Green Day.
May 3 – Kenpōkinenbi (Constitution Day)
Constitution Day (憲法記念日) is an important day, where the Japanese reflect on the meaning of Japanese laws, democracy, and the Japanese government. This holiday came into effect in 1947.
This constitution was responsible for the peace treaty signed in 1952. Japan has a peaceful policy and does not engage in wars, only in legitimate defense.
May 4 – Midori no hi (Green Day)
Until 2006, Green Day (みどりの日) used to be celebrated on April 29, on the date of the former Emperor Showa’s birthday, but it was moved to the 4th to fill the gap. The day is dedicated to the environment and nature.
This day was created because the emperor loved plants and nature. He also studied and published several works in the field of Marine Biology. This harmony with nature has a strong connection with the principles of Shintoism.
On this day, many activities take place involving tree planting, park cleaning, lectures on environmental issues, and bringing the Japanese closer to nature.
May 5 – Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day)
“Kodomo no hi [こどもの日]” is considered Children’s Day, but this date is also known as “Tango no Sekku” (Boys’ Day). The Tango event takes place on the 5th of the fifth month, but in the past using the Chinese calendar, the day was June 5.
This day is to celebrate Children’s Day, but it is mainly intended for boys. Girls have their own day, the Hina Matsuri which takes place on March 3. There is also a children’s festival called shichigosan.
On this day, carp streamers called koinobori are hung in gardens to symbolize strength and determination. Families also display samurai dolls, armor, helmets, and other samurai weapons to represent the heroes Kintaro.
We recommend reading: Kodomo no Hi, Hina Matsuri and 753 – Children’s Day in Japan
In addition, other symbols such as Shoki, Momotaro, and Shobu are used. On this day, children eat chimaki, rice cakes wrapped in bamboo leaves, and kashiwa mochi. On this day, the carp song called Koinobori uta is sung.
This is one of the most important weeks in Japan. For many, it is vacation and fun, for others, it is to remember these important dates and celebrate them. And for you? Did you like the article? Share and leave your comments below.
Silver Week – Silver Week
If there is a golden week, is there a silver week? Yes, it is called Silver Week [シルバーウィーク] and can refer to any series of holidays that are not the Golden Week. Generally, holidays that occur in September, October, and November.
In 2009, this term gained strength to refer to sequences of 3 holidays that occur in September. This advertising term was created and promoted by the film industry in the 1950s to refer to a period centered around Culture Day.
It can refer to the period before and after Thanksgiving days in November. Not every year does the sequence of holidays manage to adapt for a long period or catch a weekend. Generally, they are dates like Respect for the Aged Day, Culture Day, and others.
Golden Week in China
The Chinese also copied the same holiday scheme from Japan. The Golden Week [黄金 周], in the People’s Republic of China, is the name given to a semiannual national holiday of 7 or 8 days, implemented in 2000.
There is more than one Golden Week in China. The first is called Chunyun which occurs around the Chinese New Year in January and February. Another Golden Week can happen on October 1, if the autumn festival is close to National Day.
There is also the Golden Week of Labor Day which starts on May 1. This week was discontinued in 2007 but was reintroduced in 2019. What do you think of these holidays abroad? Could Brazil have its Golden Week? Could it be Carnival?
FAQ – Questions and Answers about Golden Week
The Golden Week, or “Golden Week” is a period of extended holidays in Japan. It usually takes place between the end of April and the beginning of May and encompasses a series of consecutive national holidays, making it one of the most anticipated times for travel and leisure in the country.
The holidays that make up the Golden Week include: April 29 – Showa Day (birthday of Emperor Showa) / May 3 – Constitution Day (Kenpō Kinenbi) / May 4 – Green Day (Midori no Hi) / May 5 – Boys’ Day (Kodomo no Hi), also known as Children’s Day
The Golden Week, or Golden Week in English, usually lasts about a week, as the name suggests. However, the exact number of days may vary slightly depending on the calendar and how the holidays align in a given year. When these holidays fall on weekdays, and not on weekends, it is common for companies and schools to grant additional days off, resulting in a full week of break or even more, depending on the policies of each employer or institution.
To make the most of the Golden Week holiday in Japan, plan ahead by booking flights and accommodations, explore popular destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto, participate in festivals and cultural events, try local cuisine, visit historical and cultural sites such as temples and castles, enjoy nature in parks and mountains, and experience the different means of transportation available in the country, always respecting local traditions and safety guidelines.
Among the holidays that make up the Golden Week in Japan, Showa Day (April 29) is generally considered the most significant and important. This holiday celebrates the birthday of Emperor Showa (Hirohito), who was the emperor of Japan during a remarkable period in the country’s history, including World War II and the subsequent reconstruction and economic development. Showa Day is a time for reflection on Japan’s history and values, and many people take advantage of the Golden Week to visit historical sites, participate in cultural events, and honor the memory of the emperor.
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