3 Fun Activities for the Japanese Celebration of Golden Week

The Japanese Celebration of Golden Week is one of the busiest but most fun-filled holidays for everyone, including tourists. If you plan to visit Japan to partake in the festivities, know that there will be a lot of crowds everywhere due to so many events around the country. Additionally, ticket prices to everywhere become much more expensive during this special holiday.

So what is the Japanese celebration of Golden Week you ask? It is a week of several Japanese holidays, starting on April 29 for Showa Day. It used to be Emperor Showa’s birthday celebration, but as he passed in 1989, it is referred to now as Showa Day. On Showa Day, the Japanese look back at the era of hardship and recovery, and think about the future of Japan. Three other national holidays take place during this one week, Showa, Constitution Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day (celebrating Japan’s sons). Japanese families are on the road, visiting family and attending celebrations, so it is a very busy time! It’s understandable to want to take a break and stay in for a day or two. If you’re a tourist, you can still have fun or take part in the celebrations even if you’re staying in a rented hotel, hostel, or inn. Here are fun activities you can do instead of braving the Golden Week crowds outdoors.

Order In and Try Seasonal Foods

Japan is known for its love of the seasons, and it shows how everything is themed depending on the time of the year. During the Golden Week, it will be spring, so there will be a lot of limited food items that you’ll only be able to try during that time. You can always go to a restaurant if you want to because there are so many you can choose from, but it will be very busy!

If you don’t feel like going out, there are a lot of food delivery services in Japan that you can try out. You may want to do a bit of research before deciding. Most of these services accept credit cards, but if you’re a tourist, cash is always handier.

Have a Go at the Hotel Gym/Pool

If you’re the type of person who finds it difficult to stay put because you know you want to do something, then expend that energy by going to the gym. Most smaller inns or hostels in Japan don’t have this option, but if you are staying at a hotel and there is a gym, then absolutely go for this option. If there is a pool available, you can do some laps on it too.

Play Indoor Sports

Just because the rest of Japan is celebrating doesn’t mean you have to skip out of the excitement too. Staying in can be loads of fun if you know what to do. Playing sports indoors isn’t just a form of entertainment, it’s also a way of exercising.

Even when traveling, it’s crucial to keep yourself in shape.  

Further Plan a Detailed Itinerary

If you’re in the middle of your Japan trip, you may have noticed some parts of your day plans not going smoothly. If your itinerary was planned months ago in your home country, then you know that, no matter how detailed a blog or a guide is, there will always be something amiss. Now that you have a feel and look of what the country is like, your downtime indoors is a great opportunity to check your plans for the next few days.

With the help of the concierge or other tourists you made friends with, you can ask for advice or recommendations. You can even use the useful pamphlets and booklets that are found at the airport or train stations and are intended for visitors for convenience. This way, you can fully utilize the resources available to you while rejuvenating your tired tourist muscles.

Enjoy Japan Even If You’re Not There

Longing to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, but it’s far too late that you can’t be there during Golden Week or spring? Get yourself some reliable kawaii goodies by getting a Japanese snack subscription box directly from Japan. It features a lot of cute stuff from your favorite brands, including the seasonal-themed stuff you want.

You can have the package delivered at your doorstep monthly, and you’ll have no problems.

What are your favorite indoor activities that help you relax and have fun at the same time? Share your thoughts and comments in the section below.

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