What to do during Golden Week in Japan? Activities you can't miss!

If you are planning to travel, work or live in the land of the rising sun, then Golden Week in Japan Golden Week is definitely a time that cannot be ignored. This is the longest and most exciting holiday of the year, when Japanese people take a holiday and participate in a series of cultural, entertainment and tourism activities. So what is special about Golden Week in Japan? Let's find out in this article!

What is Golden Week in Japan? 

Golden Week in Japan (Golden Week) is a series of consecutive holidays that last from late April to early May every year. This is one of the three biggest holidays of the year for Japanese people (alongside Lunar New Year and Obon), when millions of people take the opportunity to go out, return to their hometowns or travel abroad.

The term “Golden Week” originated in the Japanese television and film industry in the 1950s, when sales and viewership spiked – and has since stuck. In 2025, Golden Week in Japan will last seven days, from April 7 to May 29, and will include the following major holidays:

• 5/5 (Monday): Children's Day
• April 29 (Tuesday): Showa Day
• 3/5 (Saturday): Constitution Day
• 4/5 (Sunday): Green Day

Important holidays during Japan's Golden Week

Golden Week in Japan includes 4 major national holidays lasting from April 29 to May 4, each day has its own historical and cultural significance and contributes to creating a vibrant festival atmosphere throughout the country:

Showa Day

• Time: April 29 – the opening day of the Golden Week holiday.
• Popular activities: Visit museums, historical exhibitions, read books about the Showa period, take short vacations.

Showa Day is the birthday of Emperor Hirohito (Emperor Showa), who ruled Japan from 1926 to 1989. The holiday not only marks the beginning of Golden Week, but also serves as an opportunity for people to reflect on the tumultuous past – from war to restoration – and appreciate the peaceful development of the country today.

Constitution Memorial Day

• Time: February 3th
• Popular activities: Read political books and newspapers, attend seminars, relax with family.

Constitution Day commemorates the promulgation of the current Japanese Constitution in 1947. This was Japan’s first democratic constitution after World War II, reflecting the spirit of freedom, democracy, and peace. This day not only has legal significance but also represents national pride in the process of national renewal.

Greenery Day

• Time: February 4th
• Popular activities: Go on picnics, plant trees, visit parks and botanical gardens.

Greenery Day is held to honor nature and encourage people to live close to the environment. This is an ideal day to enjoy the fresh spring air, contributing to raising awareness of protecting trees and nature in modern life.

Children's Day

• Time: February 5th
• Popular activities: Hanging carp streamers (Koinobori), bathing in iris water (shōbu-yu), giving kashiwa mochi to children.

Children’s Day is an occasion to celebrate the growth, health and happiness of children – especially boys. Carp flags flutter everywhere symbolizing the children’s determination to overcome difficulties and strong spirit to rise up. The atmosphere on this day is often bustling with laughter, picnics and cozy family activities.

What to do during Golden Week in Japan?

Golden Week in Japan is an ideal time for locals and tourists to enjoy, explore culture and relax after a busy time. With a pleasant early summer climate, blooming flowers and a series of traditional festivals taking place everywhere, this is the most anticipated time of the year in the land of the rising sun.

Some exciting activities you shouldn't miss during Golden Week include:

• Hot spring bath (onsen): Stay in famous areas such as Hakone, Beppu, Kusatsu to relax and experience traditional Japanese bathing culture.
• Visit the ancient capital and historical sites: Explore Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura – home to ancient architecture, temples and UNESCO-recognized monuments.
• Spring flower viewing: Early May is the time when wisteria, peonies, azaleas, hydrangeas... compete to show off their colors in parks and flower gardens.
• Join the cultural experience workshopPottery, tea ceremony, origami, wagashi making… are interesting activities that help you understand more about the Japanese spirit.
• Shop during big sales: Golden Week is also the discount season for many shopping malls, outlets, electronics and fashion stores.
• Domestic or remote island travel: Okinawa Island, Hokkaido, or peaceful countryside areas like Takayama, Kanazawa... are attractive destinations to avoid crowds.

Special festivals during Golden Week

In addition to the long, relaxing holidays, Golden Week in Japan is also a time of explosion of many traditional festivals, attracting millions of people and tourists to participate. Each festival not only has a strong regional identity but also vividly recreates the spirit of Japanese culture through each dance step, costume and unique ritual:

Hakata Dontaku (Fukuoka)

• Time: May 3–4
• Featured activities: Costume parade, taiko drum performance, folk dance, outdoor stage
• Special point: Japan's largest street festival attracts over 2 million people each year

Hakata Dontaku is a grand festival in Fukuoka with a history of over 800 years. People in colorful costumes parade through the main streets, accompanied by traditional music and lively folk performances. The festival atmosphere permeates the city, making Fukuoka one of the most vibrant destinations during Golden Week in Japan.

Kurayami Matsuri (Tokyo – Fuchu)

• Time: 30 / 4 - 6 / 5
• Featured activities: Night mikoshi procession, traditional ceremony at Okunitama Shrine
• Special point: Takes place in complete darkness – no lights, no fireworks

Kurayami Matsuri – “Festival of Darkness” – is one of the most ancient and mysterious festivals in the Kanto region. With the ritual of turning off the lights of the entire area to carry sacred palanquins, the festival is deeply spiritual, showing respect to local guardian gods. This is a unique experience for visitors who want to feel the depth of Japanese culture.

Kamakura Matsuri (Kanagawa)

• Time: Late March – Early April
• Featured activities: Samurai performance, horseback archery (yabusame), folk dance
• Special point: Re-enacting samurai life in the heart of the ancient city

Kamakura Matsuri is a festival that recreates the splendor of feudal Japan. Visitors will witness armored warriors riding horses and shooting archery in the ancient space of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. This is an opportunity to relive the past and explore the warrior tradition of the Japanese people.

Kodomo no Hi (National Children's Festival)

• Time: February 5th
• Featured activities: Hanging carp streamers (koinobori), giving out kashiwa mochi, and organizing children's games
• Special point: The biggest children's festival of the year, appearing in every region of Japan

Children’s Day – Kodomo no Hi – is a day for Japanese families to wish their children good health and good fortune. Flying carp streamers symbolize the strength and will of children. Parks, schools, and museums often organize many creative and educational activities for children on this occasion.

Things to note when traveling during Japan's Golden Week

Golden Week in Japan is a great time to explore the land of the rising sun, but it is also the peak season for domestic tourism – which means crowds, higher prices and difficulty booking tickets. To have a complete and smooth trip, you need to prepare carefully and note a few important things:

• Book 1–2 months in advanceTrain tickets, plane tickets, hotels and even tickets to famous tourist attractions are all easily sold out if not booked in advance.
• Prices may increase: This is the time when services often increase in price, especially air tickets, hotels, tours, and restaurants near tourist attractions.
• Prioritize less crowded destinations: If you don't like crowds, choose rural areas, remote islands, or less popular destinations like Kanazawa, Tottori, Shikoku...
• Avoid traveling at the beginning or end of the holiday: April 29, May 4–3 and compensatory holidays are usually the busiest times for traffic, especially on Shinkansen lines.
• Always have a plan B: Popular locations can be crowded – be prepared with alternatives to avoid wasting time.
• Carry both cash and IC card: Many places in rural areas, temples or festivals still do not accept credit cards – so have cash and a Suica/Pasmo card ready for convenient travel.

Golden Week in Japan is not only the most anticipated long holiday of the year, but also a great opportunity to deeply experience the culture, nature and lifestyle of the cherry blossom country. From colorful festivals to relaxing trips to peaceful countryside, Golden Week will definitely bring you unforgettable memories. Don't forget to prepare in advance, book services early and choose the right destination for a perfect journey!