Eriko Explains: What is Golden Week?

Hello! This is Eriko!

I know each country has its own holidays! Today I will talk about Japan’s big holidays that are happening this week! It's called "Golden Week."

What is Golden Week?

Many people travel during Golden Week! We did not go anywhere, so we had time to steal this photo from the internet!

Golden week happens in Japan at the end of April and the beginning of May. It is a week of important days in Japan’s history.

It starts on the 29th of April, which is the Showa Emperor’s birthday. The name has changed several times, but now it’s known as Showa Day!

Next is the 3rd of May, which is Constitution Memorial Day, the anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution of Japan.

The 4th of May is Greenery Day. Until 2006, this was also celebrated on April 29th, but now it is its own day. It is a day to commune with nature and be thankful for your blessings.

These fish are Koinobori, traditionally hung on Children’s Day, and represent the parents and children of a family. — These fish are *Koinobori*, traditionally hung on Children’s Day, and represent the parents and children of a family.

May 5th is Children’s Day. It sounds cute and makes us happy! This day is for children, to respect children’s personalities and celebrate their happiness.

Thank you for reading so far! Let's look at a calendar!

Did you notice the important things?

Because the first holiday falls on Thursday, and the rest on Monday-Wednesday of the following week, if you can take off the 30th, 6th, and 7th, you can have 11 days off! Lucky people who planned ahead will get a big break this year!

In my case, I just started a new job, so I couldn’t take the extra days off, but I still get four days off, and a five-day weekend! Yay!

Pictured: a Japanese train station being “not that crowded.”

Often it is crowded everywhere during Golden Week because everyone is off work. If you are planning to visit Japan, Golden Week is probably not a good time to come because everything will be full!

I used to work in a clothing store where we had to work during Golden Week, so I never had those days off. This is my first Golden Week where I can relax!

Gregg has to work, so I am writing this while he is working!

(editor’s note: “working” = watching videos on YouTube about how to steal a car using a relay amplifier.)

Gregg and Eriko are enjoying Golden Week like this!

Eriko made pumpkin bread!

Gregg pretended that the reason he stopped here was because it was the best place to take a photo, but really it was because he was struggling to get up the hill because he is fat.

We went on a bike ride for about 14 kilometers there and back!

Maybe someone was fishing there?

(editor’s note: Yes. There was. He was sitting right there. Surprised she did not see him.)

We still have two more days off! We downloaded The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch! We’ll have fun playing it these next two days. I'll talk about this another time.

Happy Golden Week!

Eriko