Japan's Golden Week

Golden Week celebrates four of Japan’s 15 national holidays. It is a good way to start a conversation so people will appreciate what makes it unique for the Japanese.

Vocabulary

series              /ˈsirēz/ n. a set of related events one after another.     

consider          /kənˈsidər/ v. think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision.  

honor              /ˈänər/ v. regard with respect.

ratification      /ˌradəfəˈkāSH(ə)n/ n. the action of giving formal consent.

staycation       /ˌstāˈkāSHn/ n. a vacation in one's home or nearby

Questions

What is Golden Week?

What do the Japanese do on Golden Week?

How do you wish a happy Golden Week in Japanese?

Why is Golden Week celebrated?

Is Golden Week a good time to visit Japan?

Do you decorate for Golden Week?

What are the holidays during Golden Week?

What happens during each Golden Week's national holiday?

What did you do last Golden Week?

Is there anything that you dislike about Golden Week?

How does your family celebrate Golden Week?

Conversation Practice

A:    What is Golden Week?

B:    The Golden Week is a series of four national holidays in Japan.

A:    Why is Golden Week Celebrated?

B:    It is considered a time for vacation for the Japanese people.

A:    What holidays make up Golden Week?

B:    The Golden Week includes, Showa Day, or Showa no hi, on April 29; the Constitution Day on May 3; Midori no hi, or Green Day on May 4; and Kodomo no Hi, or Children's Day on May 5.

A:    What happens during each national holiday?

B:    Showa no hi, or Showa Day is the birthday of the late Emperor Showa, or Hirohito, who ruled Japan during World War II.

        Constitution Day, Kenpo Kinenbi, is to honor the ratification of the Japanese Constitution in 1947. 

       Midori no hi, or Green Day honors the environment, as Emperor Showa, sho loves nature, flowers, and plants.

       Kodomo no hi, or Children's Day a festival in celebration of young men.  

A:   What are the current practices of Japanese on Golden Week?

B:    Many Japanese nationals take paid time off during this holiday and some companies closed down completely and give their employees time off.

A:    How will your family celebrate the Golden Week this year?

B:    Due to the risk of the COVID 19 pandemic, my family won't travel this week, we just plan to have a staycation and spend time together at home, maybe watch a movie or play games.