Looking back on 2023 Golden Week in Japan

A foreign tourist takes picture at Nakamise shopping street, an approach to the Sensoji temple in Asakusa entertainment district, Tokyo in Japan on May 1, 2023. (Yohei Osada/AFLO)

A foreign tourist takes picture at Nakamise shopping street, an approach to the Sensoji temple in Asakusa entertainment district, Tokyo in Japan on May 1, 2023. (Yohei Osada/AFLO)

 

Golden Week in Japan is a collection of national holidays that occur within a week from the end of April to early May. It typically includes four holidays: Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day. Golden Week is a time when many Japanese people take time off from work or school, and it is known for being a popular travel and leisure period. The name “Golden Week” comes from the idea that it is a prime time for leisure activities and enjoying the spring weather.

 

Foreign tourists visit at the Sensoji temple in Asakusa entertainment district, Tokyo in Japan on May 1, 2023. (Yohei Osada/AFLO)

Foreign tourists visit at the Sensoji temple in Asakusa entertainment district, Tokyo in Japan on May 1, 2023. (Yohei Osada/AFLO)

 

May 4, 2023, Tokyo, Japan - The Nakamise shopping street, an approach to the Sensoji temple is crowded with people at the Asakusa entertainment district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

May 4, 2023, Tokyo, Japan – The Nakamise shopping street, an approach to the Sensoji temple is crowded with people at the Asakusa entertainment district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

 

Foreign tourists ride on a bus on the departure platforms at Tokyo Yaesu bus terminal, Tokyo in Japan on May 1, 2023. (Yohei Osada/AFLO)

Foreign tourists ride on a bus on the departure platforms at Tokyo Yaesu bus terminal, Tokyo in Japan on May 1, 2023. (Yohei Osada/AFLO)

 

May 3, 2023, Tokyo, Japan - A domestic terminal of Tokyo's Haneda airport is crowded with tourists at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

May 3, 2023, Tokyo, Japan – A domestic terminal of Tokyo’s Haneda airport is crowded with tourists at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

 

May 3, 2023, Tokyo, Japan - Motorists are caught in a traffic jam along a highway in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

May 3, 2023, Tokyo, Japan – Motorists are caught in a traffic jam along a highway in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

 

May 4, 2023, Tokyo, Japan - People cross a street at the Ginza fashion district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

May 4, 2023, Tokyo, Japan – People cross a street at the Ginza fashion district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

 

May 5, 2023, Tokyo, Japan - People cross a street at the Shibuya fashion district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Friday, May 5, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

May 5, 2023, Tokyo, Japan – People cross a street at the Shibuya fashion district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Friday, May 5, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

 

May 5, 2023, Tokyo, Japan - A police officer raises a placard "Keep left to the left" as the Takeshita street is crowded with people at the Harajuku fashion district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Friday, May 5, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

May 5, 2023, Tokyo, Japan – A police officer raises a placard “Keep left to the left” as the Takeshita street is crowded with people at the Harajuku fashion district in Tokyo at a week-long Golden Week holidays on Friday, May 5, 2023. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

 

May 2, 2023, Tokyo, Japan - Carp streamers swim in the sky underneath the Tokyo Tower to celebrate Children's Day in Tokyo on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Carp streamers or koinobori are displayed are displayed for the May 5 Children's Day, Japanese parents wish for their children to grow up as strong as the carp. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)

May 2, 2023, Tokyo, Japan – Carp streamers swim in the sky underneath the Tokyo Tower to celebrate Children’s Day in Tokyo on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Carp streamers or koinobori are displayed are displayed for the May 5 Children’s Day, Japanese parents wish for their children to grow up as strong as the carp. (photo by Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO)