Golden Week
Golden Week begins today. Normally, I’d be really happy except it’s nowhere as good as last year. There are 3 days of work in between and 2 of those holiday days are on my weekend - an already occurring holiday. Still, it’s government mandated time off work and I won’t argue with that!
What is Golden Week?
Golden Week is not “the most wonderful time of the year” but pretty darn close. There are 4 government mandated holidays1, all occurring within a close time frame. This means that during this time period, a good portion of Japan is out and about, sightseeing domestically or abroad.
April 29th - Showa no hi
This is basically one big birthday party for Emperor Showa, who died in 1989. It was then made into Greenery Day but in 2007, this holiday was moved to May 4th and everyone went back to celebrating the dead emperor.
May 3rd - Constitution Day
In 1947, the new constitution of Japan was put into effect. Unlike having to read a story about the atomic bomb to my students, this day is not awkward at all.
May 4th - Greenery Day
The displaced Greenery Day is now celebrated on May 4th, and is meant to show appreciation to nature. Many Japanese will undoubtedly show their appreciation for nature by driving their cars around a lot, now that the gas tax has been lifted. At least, that’s what I’ll be doing. Guiltily.
May 5th - Children’s Day
It’s called children’s day but it used to be boy’s only. It still kind of is, as Girl’s Day is on March 3rd.
So wait, why is it called Golden Week?
The movie industry noticed that they sold a lot of tickets during this time period. No figures on how much but it was so impressive that they gave the week a nickname. 2
Golden Week 2008
Glancing at the emergency contact sheet passed around the other day, most people are staying home or going somewhere within a 2-3 hour drive. I’m going to guess that while I’m gallivanting around in my old car, most of my coworkers will be staying at home, sleeping, eating good food, and otherwise relaxing.
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Ahhh so nice. Greenery Day ^^ but cars driving around, lots of them ~~
@Shin: Golden Week is like Japan’s big spring break present to itself. Don’t see Cancun in its future though.
@Ryan A: Who knows? Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised. Less obstacles in my way from Point A to Point B. :P
Oh ho, heard about this in anime, but I had always assumed it was like spring break or something and limited only to kids wwww