Koinobori

Golden Week is just around the corner. I have been waiting for this for quite a long time. We just started class for about a month but who doesn't like holiday right. And I haven't plan anything to do for the Golden Week except for football tournament which will be held in Hiroshima and all the Malaysian in West Japan is participating. But how will I spend the rest of the Golden Week.

For those who have been wondering what is Golden Week, you might not live in Japan or if you are in Japan, you have no interest in knowing what Golden Week is. All you ever care about is the fact that Golden Week is holiday week. I was like that. I never knew what is the actual event that occur in Golden Week.

The end of April through around May 5th is called "Golden Week" in Japan since there are many Japanese national holiday during this period. Many Japanese offices close for about a week to 10 days, depending on the calender. This is the time when Japanese people take a vacation and travel around the country or abroad, so tourist attractions in Japan are very crowded during Golden Week. Also, airports and train stations in Japan are overflowing with people. It is hard to get reservations for accommodations and transportation during Golden Week.

This is the list if the event around Golden Week:

1- 29April : 昭和の日(Showa no-Hi = Showa day) which was the birthday of the former emperor Shouwa.

2- 03May : 憲法記念日(Kenpou-Kinen-Bi = Constitution Memorial Day) The new Japanese constitution was put into effect on May 3, 1947.

3- 04May : 緑の日(Midori no Hi = Greenery Day)the day which we show appreciation for nature.

Gogatsu Ningyo

4- 05May : 子供の日(Kodomo no Hi = Children's Day) On this day, we pray for the healthy growth of children. Children's Day is also called 端午の節句 (tangono-sekku). It's Japanese boy's festival and is traditionally the day to celebrate and pray for the health of boys. Japanese families with boys hang up 鯉幟(koinobori= carp streamers) outside because carps are believed to symbolize successes in children's lives. Also, samurai dolls called 五月人形 (gogatsu ningyo) are displayed in their houses.

So what will happen in Golden Week:

1- I will have trouble with the overflowing people around tourist site if I go anywhere for vacation.

2- There will be a lot of traffic jam all around Japan at the end of Golden Week

3- My assignment will be overflowing too since its holiday

So my conclusion is Golden Week can also be called 'Overflowing Week'