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Yes, it does happen. Even the hard-working Japanese, famous for their diligent work ethic, sometimes need a well-earned vacation.s
Japan being Japan, however, it is not a five-week affair, as seen in some European countries. Rather, this holiday lasts exactly one week, from April 29 to May 5. In Japanese, it is called ogata renkyu (“big series of holidays”). The English name, which is commonly used, is more poetic-sounding: Golden Week.
Golden Week consists of a string of public holidays, including Showa Day |
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(April 29)*, Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4) and Children’s Day (May 5). Because many companies also treat May Day as a holiday, the entire period, including normal working days, tends to become one continuous break.
The name “Golden Week” was coined by movie company Daiei in 1951 due to the plentiful box office returns during this period. In this the golden age of Japanese cinema, common activities during Golden Week included watching movies, shopping and hiking—the postwar TV boom had not yet begun. Today, many travel far, either returning to family homes in other parts of Japan or going overseas.
However, with a substantial portion of Japan’s population of 126 million taking the same week off, the traveling itself is usually anything but relaxing, with trains operating at double capacity, flights hopelessly delayed and motorways solid with traffic. For late planners, a room at a hotel or an onsen (hot spring) resort is wishful thinking.
Even so, all is usually well at the end. Most get through the crush with the holiday spirit intact, returning refreshed a week later, and for all those who thrive on tourism, it truly is a golden week. As for 2009, this year has something special in store: a string of holidays forming a “Silver Week” in late September…
* Showa Day is celebrated in honor of the late Emperor Hirohito (1901?½|1989), whose official name during this era was Showa. |
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