Celebrating Platinum Week in Japan, a once-in-a-generation moment
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Celebrating Platinum Calendar week in Japan, a once-in-a-generation moment
What to do during an unprecedented 10-day holiday period in Japan as a new emperor ascends to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The inner grounds of the Imperial Palace will open up to the public on May four. (Photo: nippon-guide.com
In chronically overworked Nihon, the Golden Week holiday period offers rare respite for the country's workforce. Each spring, from late April to early May, the country celebrates four non-consecutive national holidays over a seven-day period.
With a new emperor set to ascend to the throne this year on May 1, nonetheless, the celebration will be extended to an unprecedented 10-day vacation period, known unofficially as Platinum Week.
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While residents can look forward to a longer, uninterrupted stretch away from work, Platinum Week offers visitors a unique travel experience during a once-in-a-generation moment in Japan's history.
FROM GOLDEN TO PLATINUM
Co-ordinate to Japanese law, a normal weekday sandwiched between two national holidays becomes a vacation itself. Thus, the creation of a ane-time holiday this year on May ane to mark Prince Naruhito'due south accretion to the Chrysanthemum Throne automatically creates 2 national holidays on Apr xxx and May 2. With the Children's Twenty-four hour period holiday falling on a Lord's day, to be observed the next twenty-four hours, 2019'south Gold Calendar week stretches uninterrupted from Apr 27 to May 6.
Traditionally, Gilded Calendar week sees widespread emptying of major cities as many urban residents render to their ancestral hometowns to visit relatives and participate in local festivities, while others utilise the holiday for domestic or international travel.
On Apr thirty, Emperor Akihito will formally abdicate his position, and on the following day, the new emperor volition be bestowed with the purple regalia and privy seals in a private ceremony, followed by an accost to the prime minister and parliamentary representatives. These are among the many such formal regal transition events to be held over the coming months.
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For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the new emperor in person, the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace will open to well-wishers for a public greeting on May 4. (This is a late modify to the palace'south original plans of non holding formal public events until October.) Traditionally, the inner grounds only open to the public on December 23 and Jan two, when the Imperial Family greets visitors.
Anticipating large crowds on May iv, the Majestic Household Agency recommends visitors arrive at the Nijubashi Main Gate in the early morn to allow sufficient fourth dimension to pass through security screening. The Main Gate of the palace is easily accessible on pes from Nijubashi-mae and Otemachi metro stations, as well as the recently renovated Tokyo Station. Checking the official IHA site for details of the emperor's appearances, including timing, is recommended.
Elsewhere, the remainder of Golden Week will be in full swing with traditional events and activities.
SHOWA DAY AND CONSTITUTION MEMORIAL DAY (APR 29 AND MAY iii)
The comparatively subdued holidays of Showa Solar day and Constitution Memorial Day – designed to encourage reflection on Emperor Hirohito and Japan'south post-war constitutional order, respectively – are nonetheless draws for history buffs. Many use these days as an opportunity to visit museums, such as the National Showa Memorial Museum, which provides visitors a slice-of-life view in pre- and mail service-war Japan.
On May iii, Tokyo'south ornate National Diet Building, which houses the country's bicameral legislature, also opens to the public for tours.
In Yokohama, the 67th annual Yokohama Parade will characteristic a colourful procession of floats, costumed performers and marching bands through the port metropolis's Minato Mirai district. Postal service-parade, the nearby Cup Noodles Museum offers an afternoon of ramen-related activities for all ages.
GREENERY 24-hour interval (MAY 4)
Coinciding this year with the emperor'due south first public appearance is Greenery Twenty-four hours, a vacation defended to Japan's natural offerings. To gloat, many parks and gardens beyond Tokyo offer admission-free admission to visitors.
The capital's oldest garden, Koishikawa Kourakuen Garden, offers more than 15 acres of seasonal flowers, cherry copse and wisteria next to the Tokyo Dome.
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Elsewhere in the capital, the sprawling Shinjuku Gyouen park – once exclusively reserved for the Imperial Family – offers free admission on Showa Day, Greenery Day and Children'southward Twenty-four hours. The park provides excellent picnicking opportunities in the heart of Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Yokohama's leafy Yamashita Park offers alive street performances, flower exhibitions and sweeping views of the harbour-front skyline.
CHILDREN'S Day (MAY 5, MAY half-dozen, OBSERVED)
The last of the Golden Week holidays, Children'south Day sees neighbourhoods and cityscapes adorned with colourful koinobori bother streamers. In one notable event in the capital, 333 streamers are hung from Tokyo Tower – one for each metre of acme – with festivities held at the tower's base.
For those looking for a unique visual treat, or to escape the city crowds, the mannerly hamlet of Kanna-machi in mountainous Gunma Prefecture – 112km northwest of Tokyo — hosts a famous Children's Day festival in which 800 massive carp streamers are strung from a mountainside over the town's river.
Beneath, attendees tin savor live music, children'south activities and traditional Children'southward 24-hour interval and festival food against a breathtaking mountain backdrop.
SHOPPING
While Nippon can be notoriously expensive, Golden Calendar week offers some of the steepest discounts of the year, providing an excellent opportunity for visitors to do some serious shopping. The section stores Takashimaya and Tokyu Hands, the fast-fashion giant Uniqlo and the electronics retailer Bic Camera, with stores located effectually the country, are noted for their promotions during this fourth dimension, and they are amid the many retailers offering same-twenty-four hours refunds on Nippon's eight per cent sales tax.
Although larger retailers operate during their normal business hours over Golden Week, many smaller shops and restaurants close or operate on reduced hours for the holidays.
IN-Land TRAVEL
For those interested in exploring more of the country, Japan's 2 main carriers, ANA and JAL, offer heavily discounted airfare packages, called Experience Japan and Japan Explorer respectively. Part of an ongoing, yr-round entrada, these packages are a particular steal during the Golden Week period.
Available only to non-residents visiting Nippon with a valid return international ticket, these special fares range from The states$90 (S$122.60) to U.s.a.$180 round trip, a massive savings on Japan'southward unremarkably pricey domestic itineraries. As an added bonus, domestic flights on ANA and JAL provide free in-flight WiFi, and passengers are allowed the standard international luggage allowance on all Experience Japan and Japan Explorer fares.
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Popular Gold Calendar week routes include flights to Sapporo, where cherry blossoms are expected to be in full flower on May ii, and Ishigaki, a tropical island in the farthest southern reaches of Okinawa.
Every bit an alternative to the often long Golden Calendar week lines at the airport, the JR Rails Pass allows unlimited travel on local Nihon Rail railroad train lines, as well as on the country's famed Shinkansen bullet trains. Available just to strange tourists, a Rail Pass pays for itself later but ane long-distance round trip.
Available in 7, 14 and 21-day increments, the bargain starts with a voucher, which must exist purchased, either online or from an authorised travel amanuensis, before one's inflow in Nippon. Once in Japan, the voucher must and so exist exchanged for the Rail Pass itself. On bullet train journeys, Runway Pass holders have the selection of reserving a seat in accelerate, or opting for a seat in an unreserved automobile.
By Allan Richarz © The New York Times
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