This week in Japan, it’s Golden Week!
It corresponds to a continuation of holidays during which time things tend to slow down. Grocery stores are open but a lot of businesses close from 7 to 10 days.
Golden Week groups the following holidays together:
– May 3th: Constitution Day;
– May 4th: Greenery Day;
– May 5th: Kids’ Day.
Sometimes luck isn’t on their side and Golden Week gets grouped with a weekend thus lasting only 4 or 5 days. Bad luck! This year May 4th and 5th occur on a weekend so it will be shorter than usual.
Showa Day, the Japanese National Day (April 29th) is a holiday during Golden Week. It is the commemoration of Emperor Showa’s birthday and also a day off.
It would be good to avoid visiting Japan during Golden Week since public transportation is crowded, hotels prices increase even if the hotels aren’t completely full, etc. Generally speaking, city life and other activities are more difficult.