Kicking Off Golden Week

This past weekend was the start of Golden Week, a confusing collection of Japanese holidays that is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. I especially like how they create a National Holiday for days that fall between two other holidays. I think it's because people don't take vacation time at random times during the year, rather, everyone gets the same vacation days.

The Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays within seven days. In combination with well placed weekends, the Golden Week becomes one of Japan's three busiest holiday seasons, besides New Year and the Obon week.

Trains, airports and sightseeing spots get very crowded during Golden Week, and accommodation in tourist areas can get booked out well in advance.

The national holidays making up the Golden Week are:

• April 29
  Showa Day (Showa no hi):
  April 29 is the birthday of former Emperor Showa, who died in the year 1989. Until 2006, Greenery Day (see May 4) used to be celebrated on this day.
• May 3
  Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi):
  On this day in 1947, the new post war constitution was put into effect.
• May 4
  Greenery Day (Midori no hi):
  Until 2006, Greenery Day used to be celebrated on April 29, the birthday of former Emperor Showa. The day is dedicated to the environment and nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature. Before being declared Greenery Day, May 4 used to be a national holiday due to a law, which declares a day, that falls between two national holidays, a national holiday.
• May 5
  Children's Day (Kodomo no hi):
  The Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku) is celebrated on this day. Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life. The Girl's Festival, by the way, is celebrated on March 3.

We kicked it off by going to a pet store. Pet stores in Japan are not Pet Smart. They are downright depressing. Maybe they do it on purpose, so you will feel compelled to rescue the poor animals who are crowded into small, dirty spaces. They put the birds in buckets, for cryin out loud.















And the poor manic chipmunk was going stir-crazy. I have a feeling they normally act in this way, but it was in such a confined space that I was reminded of my kids after a rainy weekend indoors. And of Hammy from Over the Hedge.

See more photos of the prisoners here, including sad puppies and a chinchilla.

On Sunday, we ignored all Golden Week/weekend advice and drove to Yokohama Sea Paradise instead of taking the train. The freeway drive went smoothly, but after an hour of not moving on the off-ramp, the kids and I got out and walked the rest of the way, which was far quicker. We beat Jeff by an hour, probably.















Sea Paradise was pretty cool. Three-story aquariums full of bizarre rays, and sharks, dolphins, cuttlefish, sea turtles, penguins, otters, and many exotic sea creatures.













































































































I don't even know what this thing is, but it's HUGE and rather scary.

See all the cool critters here.

Monday was the first official holiday, and we went over to Kumi's house for lunch. I was expecting another sedate, proper, sort of strained-conversation event, but I was so wrong. Mao's mom, Remi was there. She's a self-proclaimed hippy who writes for a hot-rod magazine. Her husband (not present) does custom paint jobs on hot rods. She wants to move to LA. Also there was Cynthia, an American preschool teacher, and her Japanese fiance, Sam, a hip-hop fan. Also there was a lot of yummy food and a bottomless beer glass. By the time I left, 6 hours later, I was totally sloshed and passed out as soon as I got home. Holy crap.

Today, I'm supposed to go tour the Kirin Factory with Kosuke's mom, and tonight, we are going to a Buzz Attitude event at Club Lizard. I haven't been to one of Macky's things in a while, so I am looking forward to it. On Friday, I am meeting Helen and her in-town sister in Shibuya.

I am going out of town with those 2 next weekend, for a much-needed girl-time vacation in Izu. This event, and my last night out DJ-ing at BC with Helen, has spurred a flurry of 80s music downloading. We need travel mixes, after all. I have rediscovered the Valley Girl Soundtrack, among other New Wave gems. I'm having so much fun and wasting so much time.

Oh, Josh Shelly is also in town this week.