A Week of Celebration

On May 3 and 4, millions of people will gather in Fukuoka for a special event: the Hakata Dontaku Festival, a highlight of Golden Week, a period of consecutive national holidays in Japan.

Golden Week runs from late April to early May and includes Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children’s Day (May 5). Each holiday carries its own meaning and purpose.

Showa Day honors the late Emperor Hirohito and serves as a time to reflect on his reign, which encompassed both Japan’s period of military expansion and its defeat in World War II. Constitution Memorial Day commemorates the ratification of Japan’s new constitution following the war. Greenery Day celebrates Hirohito’s appreciation for nature. Children’s Day is a time when families celebrate children’s health and happiness, traditionally with carp-shaped streamers and samurai dolls.

The term "Golden Week" was coined in 1951 by a film company executive who observed that this period brought higher box office revenues and increased radio listenership.

Today, Golden Week is one of the longest holiday periods of the year for many workers in Japan, with some businesses closing entirely. It’s a time for travel, family reunions, and returning to hometowns.

Although celebrations were paused in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, Golden Week resumed in 2022. In addition to the Hakata Dontaku Festival, major events include the Kamo Kurabeuma horse racing ritual in Kyoto on May 5, the Saku Balloon Festival in Nagano from May 3-5, the Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival across Osaka, and the Super GT Fuji 500 race.