Japan's Golden Week - what is it?
Apr 30, 2024 3:15 am
Konnichiwa from the Japan Switch Team!
With Japan switching into holiday mode, now seems like a good time to break down one of the biggest holiday periods of the year in Japan! Let's dive in!
Ultimate Guide to Golden Week
Golden Week is comprised of four national holidays within one week, creating one of the longest holiday periods on the Japanese calendar. It's a great time parades, cultural festivals, and special events, reflecting a blend of modern leisure and traditional customs unique to Japan. If you're in Japan (or planning to be), there are a lot of great things - like meat and wisteria festivals (respectively) - to add to your bucket list!
Ultimate Guide to Tokyo Ryokan (Traditional Inns)
If you’re looking to make your trip REALLY special, ryokan are a great alternative to regular hotels and Airbnbs. They offer a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural history and culinary traditions, and many include private onsen for those of you who prefer not to disrobe in front of strangers. We’ve provided some of our top picks for ryokan in Tokyo and some important etiquette and manners to be aware of during your stay!
Ultimate Guide to the Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony is a practice that has a lot of history and should be on your list of things to do at least once in your life. But, it’s kind of like the opera - if you don’t know what’s going on beforehand, you might have trouble keeping up. You can attend a tea ceremony for as little as 2,200yen (around $20USD) and a number of places will have a translator to explain what’s going on. Hit 'Read me now' to find out the steps, who’s who, and where to participate!
Side note: If you're planning on visiting Japan, check out Japan Switch's affordable online and offline Japanese lessons and make sure you're ready to shop, eat, and enjoy Japan without the hassle of umming and ahhing through every conversation!
For more information or other updates and tips on life in Japan, be sure to check out our website here.
Turn on your Japan Switch.
Your Friends,
The Japan Switch Team
