MUSUBI: A Glance at Golden Week
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Golden What Now?
As April comes to a close and May begins, Japan gears up for an annual event known as Golden Week. But what is Golden Week exactly?
Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) also known as Ōgon Shūkan (黄金週間) is a holiday period containing multiple, often consecutive public holidays. One of the busiest and most profitable holiday periods in Japan, Golden Week has long been associated with a surge in travel across the country, although recent years have seem a reduction in this due to rising costs.
Despite its name, only 4 days of the week are officially designated as public holidays. Many choose to take the remaining days off if possible. The 2025 edition started on Tuesday, April 29th and runs until Tuesday, May 6th. This year's Golden Week is a bit of a dud, as two of the public holidays fall on the weekend anyway, so it's more of a "Golden 4-Day Weekend, and also a holiday the week before." But that doesn't roll off the tongue as easily.
Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) also known as Ōgon Shūkan (黄金週間) is a holiday period containing multiple, often consecutive public holidays. One of the busiest and most profitable holiday periods in Japan, Golden Week has long been associated with a surge in travel across the country, although recent years have seem a reduction in this due to rising costs.
Despite its name, only 4 days of the week are officially designated as public holidays. Many choose to take the remaining days off if possible. The 2025 edition started on Tuesday, April 29th and runs until Tuesday, May 6th. This year's Golden Week is a bit of a dud, as two of the public holidays fall on the weekend anyway, so it's more of a "Golden 4-Day Weekend, and also a holiday the week before." But that doesn't roll off the tongue as easily.
The Genesis of Golden Week
The name ‘Golden Week’ dates back to 1951. Following the passing of the National Holiday Laws in 1948, a number of holidays fell at the end of April/start of May. Many leisure-based industries experienced revenue spikes at this time, including the quickly-expanding Japanese film industry.
In 1951, the film Jiyū Gakkō recorded the highest ticket sales during this holiday-filled week than any other time throughout the year, including New Year's and Obon. This prompted the managing director of Daiei Film Co., Ltd. to dub the week "Golden Week" based on a then-current radio lingo of "golden time" (the period with the highest listener ratings), something which would carry over into television.)
In 1951, the film Jiyū Gakkō recorded the highest ticket sales during this holiday-filled week than any other time throughout the year, including New Year's and Obon. This prompted the managing director of Daiei Film Co., Ltd. to dub the week "Golden Week" based on a then-current radio lingo of "golden time" (the period with the highest listener ratings), something which would carry over into television.)
The Days of Golden Week 2025
The days that make up Golden Week are the following:
April 29th – Shōwa Day (昭和の日, Shōwa no Hi)
*April 30th-May 2nd are not public holidays, but may be taken off by many workers.
May 3rd – Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日, KenpōōKinenbi)
May 4th – Greenery Day (みどりの日, Midori no Hi)
May 5th – Children’s Day (子供の日, Kodomo no Hi)
And there you have it! A short introduction to Golden Week. I hope that you enjoy a safe and healthy holiday period!
Photo Credits:
(1) pnx71
All other content (text) created by the original author and © 2021, 2025 MUSUBI by Borderlink
April 29th – Shōwa Day (昭和の日, Shōwa no Hi)
*April 30th-May 2nd are not public holidays, but may be taken off by many workers.
May 3rd – Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日, KenpōōKinenbi)
May 4th – Greenery Day (みどりの日, Midori no Hi)
May 5th – Children’s Day (子供の日, Kodomo no Hi)
And there you have it! A short introduction to Golden Week. I hope that you enjoy a safe and healthy holiday period!
Photo Credits:
(1) pnx71
All other content (text) created by the original author and © 2021, 2025 MUSUBI by Borderlink
WRITER
Lupa Van Luis
From the USA
A connoisseur of Japanese cuisine that has traveled the country for many years!
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