Welcome to May in Japan! Spring is in full swing and the country enjoys Golden Week – one of its longest holiday periods.
It’s a lively month for festivals, traditions and outdoor activities.
Whether you’re visiting Japan or enjoying Japanese culture from home this month, here’s what May looks like in Japan:
Festivals and events in May
Golden Week
Golden Week is one of Japan’s biggest holiday periods, running from Showa Day on the 29 April into early May. It includes four national holidays in quick succession, and many people take trips or spend time with family.
Be aware that this is a peak travel time in Japan, so book ahead if you’re travelling! Popular destinations can be very busy, but the atmosphere is festive and upbeat.
We already looked at Showa Day in our post on April in Japan, but here’s a look at the other three holidays that make up Golden Week:
Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpō Kinenbi)
Held on 3 May, this national holiday commemorates the post-war constitution of Japan. It’s designated as a day to reflect on history, democracy and peace.
The Japanese National Diet (parliament) opens for public tours on this day, and there are some other political and educational events.
However, there are no strong national traditions or customs on this day. It marks the start of the busiest part of Golden Week, and most people travel, go on a day trip or simply enjoy the time off work!
Greenery Day (Midori no Hi)
Celebrated on 4 May, Greenery Day is dedicated to nature and the environment. People are encouraged to visit parks, gardens or countryside areas to enjoy Japan’s fresh spring scenery.
Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi)
Children’s Day on 5 May celebrates the health and happiness of children!
There are lots of fun and colourful traditions associated with this day. For a start, people fly striking carp streamers called koinobori outside homes and along rivers.
Families with children display samurai helmets, armour or dolls. Traditionally, families with boy children would be given the samurai helmet when their son is young. These are often family heirlooms.
There are special sweets to eat on Children’s Day, such as kashiwa mochi (sweet rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves).
Irises are also associated with this day, since they bloom in May and are believed to have medicinal uses. Some people take a bath with iris leaves, or even steep them in sake and drink it.
Orignally, 5 May was called ‘Boys Day’, but now it is a day to celebrate all children! Remember that there is also a ‘Girls Day’ in March.
Aoi Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri, held in Kyoto on 15 May, is one of Japan’s oldest festivals and is famous nationwide!
It features a large historical procession with participants dressed in Heian-period clothing, making it a very visually striking event.
Things to do in Japan in May
May is one of the best months to visit Japan thanks to comfortable weather and long daylight hours.
- Enjoy fresh greenery in parks, mountains and countryside areas.
- See koinobori banners flying over rivers and neighbourhoods.
- Visit gardens and shrines at their most colourful and calm, especially after Golden Week crowds ease.
- Try seasonal foods such as fresh bamboo shoots, early summer vegetables and spring sweets.
- Go hiking or cycling – temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities.
What is the weather like in May in Japan?
May is warm and pleasant across most of Japan. Tokyo and central regions usually range from 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F). Northern areas are slightly cooler, while southern regions can feel almost summery by the end of the month.
Light layers are ideal, along with comfortable walking shoes. Rain is still limited before the rainy season begins.
Japanese activities to try at home in May
May offers lots of colourful traditions you can enjoy from anywhere.
- Make your own paper koinobori as a Children’s Day craft. Printable template here!
- Make an origami samurai helmet (kabuto).
- Cook or try kashiwa mochi or chimaki rice dumplings, traditional foods for Children’s Day.
- Go on a nature walk and collect greenery or leaves, inspired by Greenery Day.
Useful Japanese vocabulary for May
- Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) – Golden Week holiday period
- Kenpō Kinenbi (憲法記念日 / けんぽうきねんび) – Constitution Memorial Day
- Midori no Hi (みどりの日 / みどりのひ) – Greenery Day
- Kodomo no Hi (こどもの日) – Children’s Day
- koinobori (鯉のぼり / こいのぼり) – carp streamers
- kabuto (兜 / かぶと) – samurai helmet
- kashiwa mochi (柏餅 / かしわもち) – oak leaf-wrapped rice cake
- chimaki (粽 / ちまき) – bamboo-wrapped rice dumpling
- shinryoku (新緑 / しんりょく) – fresh green leaves
- satsuki (五月 / さつき) – old word for May
Related posts
- Spring in Japan: Japanese Spring Festivals and Traditions you Need to Know
- 16+ Essential Japanese Words for Spring
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Rebecca is the founder of Team Japanese. She spent two years teaching English in Ehime, Japan. Now back in the UK, she spends her time blogging, self-studying Japanese and wrangling a very genki toddler.