Golden Week is a stretch of public holidays in Japan that crosses from the last week of April to the first week of May. For many of the working class in Japan, it is the ultimate opportunity to catch a break from work to go for a much-needed holiday, visit hometown, or just rest at home.
In this article, we explain what exactly GW is, providing a breakdown on the public holidays that make up the week and introduce the current and following year’s GW calendar.
First Published: 2023-04-06
Updated: 2024-02-09
Table of Contents
- What is Golden Week in Japan?
- The National Holidays that Make Up Golden Week
- Golden Week Calendar 2024/2025
- Did you know there’s also a Silver Week?
- Do you know about Gogatsubyo?
What is Golden Week in Japan?
Golden Week (ゴールデンウイーク), often just called “GW”, is a collection of national holidays that happen in the same week from April 29 to May 5. They are Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day.
By taking leave on the days in between the national holidays, you can enjoy a full week off! Maybe even longer in some years!
There are also people that take leave before/after Golden Week to extend their holidays for over a week, great for taking a long vacation overseas! Which is why Golden Week is one of the busiest holiday seasons in Japan besides Year End New Years (nenmatsu-nenshi 年末年始) and Obon (お盆).
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The National Holidays that Make Up Golden Week
Golden Week consists of four national holidays - Showa, Constitution Memorial, Greenery and Children's Day. In this part, we will explain what each of the holidays are about and their signifiance in Japanese culture.
Showa Day (April 29th)
Showa Day (昭和の日, Showa no Hi) is an annual holiday to celebrate the late Emperor Showa Hirohito’s birthday. Emperor Hirohito ruled Japan from December 25, 1926 (Christmas Day) until his passing from cancer on January 7, 1989. Aside from being a day of remembrance of the late emperor, Showa Day is also a day of reflection of the turbulent times during the Showa Period and the hopes of many people for a brighter and peaceful future.
After Emperor Hirohito’s death in 1989, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29 in place of the Emperor’s Birthday. Until 2006 when Greenery Day was moved to May 4 and Showa Day was introduced to be celebrated on April 29.
Constitution Memorial Day (May 3rd)
Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日, Kenpo Kinenbi ) celebrates the coming into effect of Japan’s constitution on the same day in 1947.
With the enactment and subsequent coming into effect of the constitution, Japan became a constitutional monarchy country practising absolute democracy. The constitution also guaranteed fundamental human rights (Article 11) as well as renouncing the right to war (Article 9).
Greenery Day (May 4th)
Greenery Day (みどりの日, Midori no Hi) is dedicated to appreciating nature. Previously celebrated on April 29, it was moved to May 4. Many parks, gardens, zoos, and other nature-related facilities in Japan offer free admission on this special day to spread the love of nature.
Children’s Day (May 5th)
Children’s Day (子供の日, Kodomo no Hi) celebrations carry parents’ hopes for their child(ren) to grow up healthily and happily. Koinobori 🎏 (鯉のぼり), koi-shaped windsocks, are the classic decorations for Children’s Day.
Originally, this day was known as Tango no Sekku (端午の節句), or Boy’s Day. Girl’s Day or Hinamatsuri (ひな祭り), the female equivalent is celebrated on March 3. The classic decoration for Girl’s Day are Hina dolls.
Golden Week Calendar 2024/2025
Golden Week 2025 Dates
|
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4/28 |
4/29 |
4/30 |
5/1 |
5/2 |
5/3 |
5/4 |
|
5/5 |
5/6 |
5/7 |
5/8 |
5/9 |
5/10 |
5/11 |
TIP: Take leave from April 30th to May 2nd (Wednesday to Friday) for an 8 day stretch holiday. Or, take April 28th off too for a 9 day stretch holiday.
Golden Week 2024 Dates
|
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4/29 |
4/30 |
5/1 |
5/2 |
5/3 |
5/4 |
5/5 |
|
5/6 |
5/7 |
5/8 |
5/9 |
5/10 |
5/11 |
5/12 |
TIP: Take leave from April 30th to May 2nd (Tuesday to Thursday) for an 8 day stretch holiday.
Did you know there’s also a Silver Week?
Silver Week (シルバーウイーク) is the autumn version of Golden Week. Unlike GW however, Silver Week does not occur every year as it depends a lot on whether the national holidays line up. Silver Week is made up of:
- Respect for the Aged Day (3rd Monday of September)
- Autumn Equinox (Not Fixed)
- Citizens’ Holiday (Depends on Autumn Equinox)
The next Silver Week since 2015 is expected to be in 2026.
No Silver Week in 2025
|
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9/15 |
9/16 |
9/17 |
9/18 |
9/19 |
9/20 |
9/21 |
|
9/22 |
9/23 Autumn |
9/24 |
9/25 |
9/26 |
9/27 |
9/28 |
A long Silver Week holiday is difficult to achieve in 2025 as there are 5 weekdays separating the two national holidays.
No Silver Week in 2024
|
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9/16 |
9/17 |
9/18 |
9/19 |
9/20 |
9/21 |
9/22 |
|
9/23 Autumn |
9/24 |
9/25 |
9/26 |
9/27 |
9/28 |
9/29 |
A long stretch of Silver Week holiday can still be had in 2024 if you are able to take 4 days leave from September 17th to 20th (Tuesday to Friday), and are working a Monday to Friday week.
Do you know about Gogatsubyou?
Gogatsubyo (五月病), a seasonal affective disorder that afflicts people when there is a change of seasons or environments. Gogatsubyo directly translates to “May blues” or “May depression”. It occurs after Golden Week when everybody goes back to school / work.
If you know anyone that is affected by seasonal depression, do offer your encouragement and support to help them.
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