Golden Week is the popular term that refers to a succession of week-long national holidays from the end of April to the beginning of May. Golden Week starts with the Day of Showa, the birthday of the late Emperor Showa on April 29 followed by the Constitution Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day on May 3, 4, and 5, respectively. There is a Saturday and a Sunday, making it one of the longest series of national holidays concentrated over the period of one week. People started to use “Golden Week” in 1951 when the Japanese film industry saw the greatest number of moviegoers during the week because of the concentration of national holidays.
It is the third busiest season of the year for traveling Japan after the Year-end/New Year holidays (Nenmatsu Nenshi) and the Bon period (mid-August).
This year's National Urban Green Space Development Promotion Period starts from April 1 and lasts until June 30. As part of its tree-planting campaign, the Green Festa 2010 will be held at Kezoji Park in Isesaki. The 2-day event offers many attractions. See below for details.
Stage Performances & Interactive Events
Day 1 (Sat., May 1)
10:00 Japanese Drum Performance by preschoolers
10:30 Wind orchestra by junior high-schoolers
12:00 G-FIVE Show (Group of four men and one woman wearing superman-like costume formed to promote tourism in Gunma.)
13:00 Magic & Art Balloon Show
An open-air tea ceremony starts at 11:00 where traditional Japanese tea and sweets will be served to the first 200 guests.
Day 2 (Sunday, May 2)
11:00 Kids Dance Show
12:00 Hula Dance Show
Plant fair, sales of plants, and interactive events for children as well as free consultation services on plants will be offered on both dates.
Giveaway plants: 11:30 on Sat., May 1
All-you-can-catch trout and weatherfish: 12:00 Sun., May 2
(This event is limited to elementary school children only; no guardians will be allowed in the water.)
| When | May 1 (Sat.) & 2 (Sun.) |
|---|---|
| Where | Kezoji Park in Isesaki-shi |
| Access | By car: 10-min drive from Isesaki Exit of Kanetsu Expwy By train: 2km away from Tobu/JR Isesaki Station MAP |
| Contact | (0270) 25-4478 (Kezoji Park) |
Kawaba-mura is located at the foot of Mt. Hotakasan. Den-en Plaza Kawaba is a well-known roadside station that offers fresh and tasty foodstuff. It also puts on fun events throughout the year. Spring events feature street performances, concerts, exhibition and sale of articles made by prson inmates, giveaway plants, Japanese drum performances, and food stalls.
| When | Sat., May 1 thru Wed., May 5 |
|---|---|
| Where | 385 Ooaza Hagimuro, Kawaba-mura, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| Access | By car: 10-min drive from Numata Exit of Kanetsu Expwy By train: 30-min taxi-ride from Jomo Kogen Station of Joetsu Shinkansen Line or 30-min bus ride from JR Numata Station of Takasaki Line MAP |
| Contact | TEL: 0278-52-3711 FAX: 0278-52-3717 (Den-en Plaza Kawaba) |
Ikaho Sistina SANEI & Monkey Theater offers acrobatics and magic shows by adorable monkeys. After the show, you can take pictures with them. Other features of the theater include tricky art, a replica of Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, where it is famous for being the painting that Michelangelo painted on the wall.
| When | The theater is open 24/7. |
|---|---|
| Where | 3709-8 Shibukawa, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma |
| Access | By car: 15-min drive from Shibukawa-Ikaho Exit of Kanetsu Expwy MAP |
| Contact | 0279-20-1600 (Ikaho Sistina San-ei & Monkey Theater) |
Special events such as baking and craft workshops will be offered to visitors during Golden Week (May 2,3, & 4) and in the summer.
| When | The camping site is open from mid-April to the end of November. |
|---|---|
| Where | 854 Harunako-machi, Takasaki-shi, Gunma |
| Access | By car: 40-min drive from Shibukawa-Ikaho Exit of Kanetsu Expwy MAP |
|---|---|
| Contact | 027-374-9600 (Lake Haruna Auto-Camping Site) |
You can enjoy a walk in the woods, playing with water, and barbecues. Different services will be offered at different fees, i.e. sleeping in a tent or renting a bungalow.
| When | The auto-camping site is open throughout the year except for winter. |
|---|---|
| Where | 55 Kita-Akagisan, Akagi-machi, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma |
| Access | By car: 5-min drive from Akagi Exit of Kanetsu Expwy MAP |
| Contact | 0279-56-4033 (Akagi Auto-Camping Hills) |
A One-day Pass gives you unlimited access to all rides in the sky park for the day, which is a substantial savings. The area is surrounded by rich natural environment and is quiet and cool in the summer.
| Where | 2843-3 Kanai, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma |
|---|---|
| Access | By car: 15-min ride from Shibukawa-Ikaho Exit of Kanetsu Expwy or By bus: 15 minutes from JR Shibukawa Station MAP |
| Contact | TEL: 0279-20-1589 FAX: 0279-20-1588 (Shibukawa Sky Park Land) |
