We are in the midst of Golden Week, a week of four Japanese holidays in seven days. They are:
April 29--Showa no Hi (Showa Day), the birthday of the former Emperor Showa who died in 1989.
May 3--Kenpo Kinenbi, the post war constitution came into effect on this day in 1947.
May 4--Midori no Hi (Greenery Day), This used to be celebrated on April 29, the birthday of Emperor Show, because he loved the environment. This used to be know as "In Between Day" because it fell in between two national holidays. In 2006, it officially became Greenery Day.
May 5--Kodomo no Hi. This used to be Tango no Sekku (Boys' Festival), but was changed to Children's Day. Families pray for the health and success of their children. Girls' Day was on March 3, and was changed to Dolls' Day.
This is the time for Japanese to travel. Major cities empty out as people travel to vacation areas.
Golden Week
Moderators: Mayhem, Steve Hubbell, Moderators