The Golden Week

The Golden Week in Japan (locally known as Ōgon Shūkan or Ōgata Renkyū) is observed between the end of April and begining of May.   A series of four holidays closely spaced together and together with the weekends, the Golden Week becomes Japan’s one of the busiest holiday seasons. Many Japanese take paid vacations on the remaining workdays in the week, some companies even close down completely to give their employees the much required vacation time. Flights, trains and hotels are often sales at significantly higher rates at this time. Many Japanese travel to popular destinations in Asia, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, and Vancouver, as well as cities in Europe and Australia.

Golden Week 2012:

April    29       Sunday           Showa day

April    30       Monday          Bridge Public Holiday

May     3          Thursday       Constitution Memorial Day

May     4          Friday               Greenery day

May     5          Saturday        Children's Day

On Children’s Day  (kodomono-hi), which falls on May 5, samurai dolls called gogatsu ningyo (May Dolls) are displayed in houses for children. Traditionally carp streamers (koinobori) are also hung outside houses around this holiday for successes in children's lives. Usually blue koinobori is hung for boys and red ones for girls.