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Golden Week comes to an end

A local Japanese child slides down a ramp at the Rice Paddy Festival during Golden Week in Okinawa, Japan, May 3, 2013. During the annual Kin Town Tanbo Festival, an event tailored towards kids, children from across the island wear swim suits while they play in mud on the rice paddy playground. The Kin Town Tanbo Festival is part of Golden Week, which is a collection of four different holidays within seven days for the Okinawans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie/Released)

Golden Week comes to an end

The Onaka Construction Company (black boat), Kadena Shogun Men (yellow boat) and Okinawa City Fire Department (green boat) members race during the Naha Dragon Boat Race in Naha City Port, Japan, May 5, 2013. This was the 39th annual dragon boat race, an Okinawan tradition, with both a women and men teams made up of active duty, civilians and family member volunteers. The dragon boat race is also a part of Golden Week, which is a collection of four different holidays Okinawans celebrate within seven days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie/Released)

Golden Week comes to an end

The Shogun Women's Dragon Boat Team paddles down the river during the Naha Dragon Boat Race in Naha City Port, Japan, May 5, 2013. This was the 39th annual dragon boat race, an Okinawan tradition, with both a women and men teams made up of active duty, civilians and family member volunteers. The dragon boat race is also a part of Golden Week, which is a collection of four different holidays within seven days for the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie/Released)

Golden Week comes to an end

Japanese locals strive to win a three-legged race at the Rice Paddy Festival during Golden Week in Okinawa, Japan, May 3, 2013. The race was during the annual Kin Town Tanbo Festival, an event tailored towards kids playing in the mud. The Kin Town Tanbo Festival is part of Golden Week, which is a collection of four different holidays within seven days for the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie/Released)

Okinawans celebrate Golden Week

Published May 7, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Ever wonder why the streets are so crowded from April 29 to May 5?

It's because it is Golden Week on Okinawa, Japan.

Golden Week, known as Goruden Wiku or GW, is a collection of four different holidays within seven days. In combination with well-placed weekends, Golden Week is one of Japan's busiest holiday seasons, besides New Year's and Obon Week.

The four national holidays that make up Goruden Wiku are Showa Day (Showa no hi), Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi), Greenery Day (Midori no hi) and Children's Day (Kodomo no hi).

First, Showa Day honors the birthday of the Shōwa Emperor Hirohito, the reigning emperor from 1926 to 1989. The purpose of the holiday is to encourage public reflection on the 63 years of Hirohito's reign.

Secondly, Constitution Memorial Day became a holiday when the current Japanese constitution came into effect May 3, 1947. Constitution Memorial Day is often chosen as a day to reflect on the meaning of democracy and Japanese government.

The third holiday is Greenery Day, which began in 1989, following the ascension of the current Emperor Akihito to the Chrysanthemum Throne. The name of the holiday was changed from "Birthday of the Emperor" to "Greenery Day". The day was renamed to "Greenery Day" to acknowledge the wartime emperor's love for plants without directly mentioning his name. Officially, as its name suggests, it is a day to commune with nature and to be thankful for blessings.

Lastly, Children's Day is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948.

"During Golden Week many Japanese take (paid) time off, but some companies also close down completely and give their employees time off," said Sayaka Kawatake, 18th Wing Public Affairs community specialist.

Goruden Wiku is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese jobs, but also is a good time for Japanese locals to travel and to participate in different festivals and other events that culminate with Golden Week.

According to Okinawa Living, the dragon boat races, which are an Okinawan tradition that includes both women and men teams. Military members including Active Duty, civilians and family members also participate in the races held May 5 at Naha Port.

"(Golden Week) is important time for Japanese people because it allows us to time off to travel," said Naoto Anazawa, a Japanese local. "Golden Week for me, allows me more time to spend with my family."