The Golden Week in Japan is a collection of four national holidays within 7 days. In combination with well placed weekends, the Golden Week becomes one of Japan's three busiest holiday seasons, besides the New Year ad the Obon Week. Japanese take the oppurtunity to spend time with their family and rest over this long weekend.
The 4 national holidays making up the Golden Week are:
- April 29,2008 Tuesday - Showa Day (Showa no hi):
April 29 is the birthday of former Emperor Showa, who died in the year 1989.
- May 3, 2008, Saturday - Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi):
On this day in 1947, the new post war Constitution and law was put into effect.
- May 4, 2008 Sunday - Greenery Day (Midori no hi):
Midori means GREEN.The day is dedicated to nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature. And i reckon, because of this most parks do not charge any entrance fee on this day. We were also lucky to visit the Tokyo Sealife Park which usually charges 700yen per person, but yesterday it was FREE! i had a ball there.
- May 5 ,2008 Monday - Children's Day (Kodomo no hi)- Especially for Boys
The Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku) is celebrated on this day. Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life. The Girls' Festival, is celebrated on March 3rd. Well that would be another story next year.
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