April 19, 2023
Holidays – Golden week in Japan
What is the Golden week?
Golden week is a cluster of national holidays in Japan, with 4 national holidays in a row. Thus, many workers get about a week of holidays between end of April and beginning of May.
That is why our headquarter and factories in Japan will be closed during the Golden week season.
The meaning behind each national holiday
Showa no hi (Showa Day): April 29th
The Golden week usually start on the 29th of April as it celebrates the birthday of the former Emperor Showa. He died in 1989. This year however, Showa day falls on a Saturday. This means that Golden week will start on Monday the 1st of May.
Showa no hi
Why is “Showa no hi” still celebrated nowadays? The reason is to remember history around the years of 1929 until 1989. Known as the Showa era, the 20th century was a devastating period not only for Japan but many other nation.
This day celebrates the importance to remember the past.
Kenpo kinenbi (Constitution Day): May 3rd
May 3rd is the day when the new postwar constitution was implemented in 1947.
Midori no hi (Greenery Day): May 4th
As the title shows, this day is dedicated to the environment and the nature. It was implemented to honor the Showa Emperor’s love to the nature and trees.
Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day): May 5th
During the Children’s Day, children are celebrated for their indidual strengths and courage. It is a common tradition to hang carp streamers (koi no bori) outside buildings, to bring good fortune to the children. Carps are known to be strong creatures who can swim against the stream and symbolize the desired future of the children.