Visiting Japan around late April or early May? If you are, that’s the perfect time to celebrate Japan’s Golden Week! This holiday happens every year from 29 April to 5 May.
If you're keen to learn more about what Golden Week in Japan looks like, then we've got you covered with what it is and where to go, so read on below!
What is Golden Week in Japan?
Everyone is excited about the Golden Week holidays! Credits to Diana Lisunova on Unsplash.
The Golden Week holidays in Japan run from the end of April to early May each year. It's a time when many Japanese people take a well-deserved break from work and travel around the country or spend time with their families.
Other than locals, tourists also look forward to joining in the week-long celebration as there are special events and festivals during this time. Additionally, it’s the perfect time to see cherry blossoms in full bloom!
Why is Golden Week celebrated?
A week full of festivities! Credits to Kelvin Zyteng on Unsplash.
Now that you know what Golden Week is in Japan, it’s also important to know why it’s celebrated. It’s a week-long holiday that marks essential national holidays — Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day.
The first holiday, Showa Day, is on 29 April, which commemorates the birthday of former Emperor Hirohito, who reigned during the Showa period from 1926 to 1989. The second holiday is Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May, which celebrates the adoption of Japan's post-war constitution in 1947. The third holiday is Greenery Day on 4 May, which celebrates nature and the environment. Finally, Children's Day on 5 May celebrates the happiness and health of children.
Together, these holidays form Golden Week, a time for Japanese people to take a break from work and school and celebrate their culture and heritage.
Where are the best destinations for Golden Week?
As it’s a much-awaited holiday for everyone in Japan, there are many places to visit during the long holiday. Here’s a list of 10 places you can visit during Golden Week!
1. Kanda Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
The Kanda Matsuri festival was first celebrated in the 17th century. Credits to @arizonanara on Instagram.
The Kanda Matsuri Festival is a traditional festival held in the Kanda area of Tokyo.
The festival features a parade of ornate floats and portable shrines, accompanied by music and dancing. The festival's highlight is the procession of the Mikoshi, or portable shrines, which are believed to carry the spirit of the deities to bless the area's residents.
2. Aoi Matsuri Festival in Kyoto
Join one of Kyoto’s biggest festivals—the Aoi Matsuri Festival! Credits to @sakyoaoi on Instagram.
The Aoi Matsuri Festival is one of Kyoto's three most famous festivals. It has a grand procession of people in traditional Heian-period costumes who carry offerings to the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines.
Fun fact: The festival is said to have originated over 1,000 years ago, during the Heian period, making it one of the oldest festivals in Japan!
3. Hakone Gora Park in Hakone
There are tons to do in Hakone Gora Park. Credits to Akira Deng on Pexels.
If you plan to visit Hakone, check out Hakone Gora Park during Golden Week! At this time, they hold a unique Rose Festival to celebrate the holiday. They also offer a variety of other attractions, including a greenhouse, tea house, and art museum for those who want to bask in Japan’s nature and culture.
Their rose garden is also home to over 1,000 different varieties of roses, making it one of the largest rose gardens in the country!
4. Hakata Dontaku Festival in Fukuoka
Hakata Dontaku is filled with extravagantly costumed dancers. Credits to @sorekara_nippon on Instagram.
The Hakata Dontaku Festival is a colorful and lively event held in Fukuoka. During the festival, you’ll witness a large parade of people dressed in traditional costumes, including dancers, musicians, and performers.
It started in 1179 to welcome gods who bring happiness to a new year!
5. Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu
The moss phlox looks its best during the springtime. Credits to @miki_z_755 on Instagram.
Hitsujiyama Park is a beautiful flower park located in Chichibu and is famous for its stunning pink moss phlox fields — they have over 400,000 of them in this park alone!
During Golden Week, visitors can see the phlox in full bloom and delight in special events and activities, including traditional Japanese music performances and food stalls.
6. Lake Ashi Camping Village in Hakone
Have a lakeside bento when you camp at Lake Ashi! Credits to @foodanddrinkwithaview on Instagram.
Wanna avoid bustling crowds in the city? Lake Ashi Camping Village is a campsite in the Hakone region and offers stunning views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains.
During Golden Week, visitors can bask in the mild weather and participate in outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. It's a great way to escape the city and experience the natural beauty of Japan.
7. Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Tokyo
Children and adults alike can have fun learning about bonsai. Credits to @benjaminbeech on Instagram.
If you’re a bonsai fan, you must visit Shunkaen Bonsai Museum during Golden Week! It’s a unique museum in Tokyo dedicated to the art of bonsai, showcasing a beautiful collection of miniature trees and landscapes.
Be entertained by special exhibitions and workshops and see the bonsai in full bloom to celebrate the holidays. It's a great way to learn about Japanese culture and appreciate the beauty of nature — at the same time!
8. Hiroshima Flower Festival
Immerse yourself in the colourful charm of Hiroshima's Flower Festival! Credits to @hiroshima_flowerfestival on Instagram.
What’s Golden Week in Japan without cherry blossoms in full bloom? Held in Hiroshima, the Hiroshima Flower Festival is full of breathtaking floats decorated with flowers for you to enjoy.
The festival began in 1977 as a way to celebrate the city's reconstruction after the tragedy of the atomic bomb and has since become one of the largest flower festivals in Japan.
9. Matsumoto Castle
The Matsumoto Castle was built in the Sengoku period. Credits to Yuika Takamura on Unsplash.
Matsumoto Castle, formerly Fukashi Castle, is one of Japan's oldest and most well-preserved castles. During Golden Week, you can explore the castle's interior to learn about its history as a strategic defense point during the feudal era. It's also a great opportunity to celebrate and experience Japan's rich cultural heritage, which is one of the reasons why this holiday is celebrated!
It’s also known as "Crow Castle" due to its black exterior and resemblance to a crow taking flight!
10. Tokyo Tower Main Observatory
The Tokyo Tower Main Observatory is an icon! Credits to Evgeny Tchebotarev on Pexels.
Look at Tokyo from 150 meters above ground level! Get a bird’s eye view of all the Golden Week celebrations in the city from the Tokyo Tower Main Observatory! With its 360-degree view, you can see the stunning scenes of Tokyo's skyline, including famous landmarks such as Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay.
Now that you know what Golden Week in Japan is all about and where to go to celebrate, make sure to book a Japan Rail Pass with Klook to travel around with ease. You can get a seven-day, 14-day, or 21-day JR Pass!
If you want to learn how to get through Golden Week, here’s our survival guide!
Written by: Nina Marable
