Celebrating Platinum Week in Japan, a once-in-a-generation moment
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Celebrating Platinum Week in Japan, a in one case-in-a-generation moment
What to exercise during an unprecedented 10-solar day holiday period in Japan as a new emperor ascends to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The inner grounds of the Royal Palace will open to the public on May iv. (Photo: nihon-guide.com
In chronically overworked Nippon, the Aureate Week holiday flow offers rare respite for the country'south workforce. Each bound, from late April to early May, the country celebrates four non-sequent national holidays over a vii-day period.
With a new emperor set to ascend to the throne this year on May i, however, the celebration will be extended to an unprecedented ten-day holiday menstruum, known unofficially as Platinum Week.
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While residents can look forward to a longer, uninterrupted stretch away from work, Platinum Calendar week offers visitors a unique travel experience during a once-in-a-generation moment in Japan's history.
FROM Gilt TO PLATINUM
According to Japanese law, a normal weekday sandwiched betwixt 2 national holidays becomes a holiday itself. Thus, the cosmos of a 1-time vacation this year on May 1 to mark Prince Naruhito's accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne automatically creates two national holidays on Apr 30 and May 2. With the Children'south Day holiday falling on a Sunday, to exist observed the adjacent day, 2019's Gilt Calendar week stretches uninterrupted from Apr 27 to May 6.
Traditionally, Gilded Calendar week sees widespread emptying of major cities every bit many urban residents return to their ancestral hometowns to visit relatives and participate in local festivities, while others use the vacation for domestic or international travel.
On Apr 30, Emperor Akihito volition formally abdicate his position, and on the following day, the new emperor will be bestowed with the imperial regalia and privy seals in a individual ceremony, followed by an address to the prime number government minister and parliamentary representatives. These are among the many such formal imperial 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 volition open to well-wishers for a public greeting on May iv. (This is a late change to the palace'south original plans of not holding formal public events until October.) Traditionally, the inner grounds only open to the public on Dec 23 and Jan ii, when the Imperial Family greets visitors.
Anticipating large crowds on May 4, the Regal Household Agency recommends visitors arrive at the Nijubashi Chief Gate in the early morning time to allow sufficient time to pass through security screening. The Main Gate of the palace is easily accessible on foot from Nijubashi-mae and Otemachi metro stations, too every bit 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 Twenty-four hour period AND CONSTITUTION MEMORIAL Day (April 29 AND MAY 3)
The comparatively subdued holidays of Showa Mean solar day and Constitution Memorial Twenty-four hours – designed to encourage reflection on Emperor Hirohito and Japan's mail service-war constitutional order, respectively – are nonetheless draws for history buffs. Many utilize these days every bit an opportunity to visit museums, such every bit the National Showa Memorial Museum, which provides visitors a slice-of-life view in pre- and post-war Japan.
On May three, Tokyo'south ornate National Diet Building, which houses the state'south bicameral legislature, also opens to the public for tours.
In Yokohama, the 67th almanac Yokohama Parade volition characteristic a colourful procession of floats, costumed performers and marching bands through the port city's Minato Mirai district. Mail-parade, the nearby Cup Noodles Museum offers an afternoon of ramen-related activities for all ages.
GREENERY Day (MAY four)
Coinciding this twelvemonth with the emperor'southward first public advent is Greenery Day, a vacation defended to Japan's natural offerings. To celebrate, many parks and gardens across Tokyo offer admission-gratuitous admission to visitors.
The capital'south oldest garden, Koishikawa Kourakuen Garden, offers more than than xv 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 Majestic Family – offers free admission on Showa Day, Greenery Twenty-four hour period and Children'due south Day. The park provides first-class picnicking opportunities in the heart of Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Yokohama's leafy Yamashita Park offers live street performances, flower exhibitions and sweeping views of the harbour-front skyline.
CHILDREN'S Day (MAY 5, MAY 6, OBSERVED)
The concluding of the Golden Week holidays, Children'due south Day sees neighbourhoods and cityscapes adorned with colourful koinobori bother streamers. In one notable issue in the capital, 333 streamers are hung from Tokyo Tower – one for each metre of acme – with festivities held at the tower'southward base of operations.
For those looking for a unique visual treat, or to escape the metropolis crowds, the charming hamlet of Kanna-machi in mountainous Gunma Prefecture – 112km northwest of Tokyo — hosts a famous Children'due south Day festival in which 800 massive bother streamers are strung from a mountainside over the town's river.
Below, attendees can savor live music, children's activities and traditional Children'south Mean solar day and festival food against a scenic mountain backdrop.
SHOPPING
While Japan tin be notoriously expensive, Gilt Calendar week offers some of the steepest discounts of the year, providing an first-class opportunity for visitors to do some serious shopping. The department stores Takashimaya and Tokyu Easily, the fast-fashion giant Uniqlo and the electronics retailer Bic Camera, with stores located around the state, are noted for their promotions during this fourth dimension, and they are amongst the many retailers offer same-day refunds on Nihon's eight per cent sales taxation.
Although larger retailers operate during their normal business hours over Golden Week, many smaller shops and restaurants shut or operate on reduced hours for the holidays.
IN-COUNTRY TRAVEL
For those interested in exploring more of the country, Nihon'due south two chief carriers, ANA and JAL, offer heavily discounted airfare packages, called Experience Japan and Nippon Explorer respectively. Function of an ongoing, year-round campaign, these packages are a particular steal during the Golden Calendar week menstruation.
Available only to non-residents visiting Nippon with a valid return international ticket, these special fares range from U.s.$90 (South$122.sixty) to U.s.$180 round trip, a massive savings on Japan's normally 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 baggage allowance on all Feel Japan and Japan Explorer fares.
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Pop Gold Week routes include flights to Sapporo, where blood-red blossoms are expected to exist in full blossom on May 2, and Ishigaki, a tropical isle in the farthest southern reaches of Okinawa.
As an alternative to the often long Golden Week lines at the airport, the JR Runway Pass allows unlimited travel on local Japan Rail train lines, besides every bit on the country's famed Shinkansen bullet trains. Bachelor only to foreign tourists, a Rail Pass pays for itself after just one long-distance round trip.
Available in 7, xiv and 21-day increments, the deal starts with a voucher, which must be purchased, either online or from an authorised travel agent, before 1's arrival in Japan. Once in Japan, the voucher must then be exchanged for the Rail Pass itself. On bullet train journeys, Rail Pass holders have the option of reserving a seat in advance, or opting for a seat in an unreserved car.
By Allan Richarz © The New York Times
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/experiences/celebrating-platinum-week-in-japan-a-new-emperor-ascends-239536
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