Searching for destinations and activities during Golden Week? Explore our carefully selected list of events and experiences! With so much to see and do, Golden Week 2023 spans from Saturday, April 29 to Sunday, May 7, providing up to 9 consecutive holidays, including two weekdays in between. Our list includes leisure spots and flower tours for children to enjoy, events for individuals, friends, or families, and more, all presented in both English and Japanese!
Golden Week Calendar 2023
• 4/29 (Sat., hol.) Showa Day
• 4/30 (Sun.)
• 5/3 (Wed., hol.) Constitution Memorial Day
• 5/4 (Thu., hol.) Greenery Day
• 5/5 (Fri, hol.) Children’s Day
• 5/6 (Sat.)
• 5/7 (Sun.)
Hakata Dontaku 2023
Dontaku, originating from the Dutch word Zondag (holiday), is one of Japan’s largest festivals, attracting two million spectators (pre-pandemic). After four years, the event returns to its regular scale, albeit slightly reduced. On May 3 & 4, the festivities commence with the Hakata Matsubayashi procession, which has marked the new year for the past 840 years. Daytime performances across 39 stages follow, and in the evening, illuminated “Flower Cars” (decorated vehicles) parade through the streets. For more information, keep an eye out for our Hakata Dontaku 2023 Guide, available in late April!
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
• 5/3 (Wed., hol.), 5/4 (Thu., hol.)
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/
• Fukuoka Now Hakata Dontaku Guide 2023
• Kyushu Live Video Report: May. 2022
GW Event List
Here’s a long list of events taking place between April 29 to May 7, 2023. Click on any of these to see photos and get details. Happy Golden Week!
• 4/29 (Itoshima City): Ito Okashi Fes
• 4/29~30 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Torikai Hachimangu Curry Festival 2023
• 4/30 (Itoshima City) : Itoshima Negi Fes
• 5/3 (Itoshima City): Sakurai Futamigaura, Shimenawa Festival
• 5/3~5/4 (Chuo-ku, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka) Hakata Dontaku
• 4/29~5/5 (Karatsu City, Saga): Karatsu Yakimon Ceramic Festival
• 4/29~5/5 (Arita City, Saga): Arita Ceramic Fair
• 4/29~5/5 (Hasami City, Nagasaki): Hasami Ceramic Festival
• 5/3~5/5 (Itoshima City): Itoshima Teichi
• 5/4~5/5 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka) Umippi GW Festa 2023
• 5/6 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Ice Cream Festa 2023
• 5/3~5/7 (Itoshima City): Itoshima Golden Week Yatai Festival
• 5/3~5/7 (Koishiwara, Fukuoka): Koishiwara Spring Pottery Festival
• 5/5~5/7 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Free Open to PayPay Dome Field (outfield area)
• 5/6~5/7 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): FAM Cinematheque – The World of LKW
• 5/6~5/7 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Kamome no Grill
• 4/28~5/7 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Beers of Japan Festival 2023 Lalaport Fukuoka
• 4/29~5/7 (Itoshima City): Shiraito Falls Friendship Village: Yamame Fishing Festival
• 4/29~5/7 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Marin World Night Aquarium
• 5/1~5/7 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Festa di Spumante Fukuoka 2023
• 5/2~5/7 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Freedom Night Market GW Special
• 4/15~5/11 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): EVANGELION Crossing Expo
• 5/1~5/14 (Fukuoka City): Tachinomist 4
• 3/11～5/14 (Sawara-ku, Fukuoka): Regnum Imaginarium – Realm of the Marvelous and Uncanny
• 3/18〜5/14 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Tokusatsu Magic: Showa to Present – Miniatures, Suits & Effects
• 3/18~5/21 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Uminonakamichi Flower Picnic 2023
• 4/29~5/28 (Kurume City, Fukuoka): Ishibashi Bunka Center Spring Rose Fair 2023
• 5/1~6/30 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Yame Tea Afternoon Tea – Teaescape from Manako Tea Farm
• 3/4~9/3 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Tadaima! Unko Museum Fukuoka
• 4/29~9/10 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Immersive Museum Fukuoka
Fukuoka Now Seasonal Guide
Clam Digging Guide 2023
At the beginning of spring, you may notice clusters of people digging at the mouth of the Muromigawa River. They’re not panning for gold but for something much tastier – clams! In Japan, shiohigari (digging for clams) is a popular leisure activity for families and groups of friends who comb the beaches for clams before taking home their spoils to cook. The season runs from the end of March to early June, and it’s a popular activity over Golden Week. Enjoy a day of shiohigari at the beach, playing in the mud, and challenging your friends to clam-hunting contests! Read on for our complete guide to shiohigari – especially the warnings and do’s and don’ts.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/clam-digging-guide/
The absolute best time to go clam digging is at spring tide (the tide just after a new or full moon). This year, spring tides will occur on mid-April up to May as follows:
• May: 5/3~5/6, 5/16~5/19
• June: 6/1~6/4, 6/15~6/17
Fukuoka Wisteria Guide 2023
Wisteria are at their best from the mid-April to early May, and they’re loved for their sweet fragrance and vibrant colors. In Fukuoka, we’re lucky enough to have many glorious wisteria-viewing spots, including some which have been designated natural monuments of Japan, such as Nakayama no Ofuji in Yanagawa and Kurogi no Ofuji in Yame. Here we present twelve great wisteria spots in Fukuoka Prefecture for you to explore – so grab your camera and head out to experience the vibrant purple, white and pink curtains of wisteria.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/wisteria-guide/
Fukuoka Now Azalea Guide 2023
Azalea is a shrub with red, pink, and white flowers that bloom from April to May. The best time to see the azalea will be from mid-April to Golden Week.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/azalea-guide/
Originally written in April 2016, updated April 2023.
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NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in Apr. 2016.
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
