Golden Week 2025 in Japan
Golden Week—known in Japan as “GW”—is a stretch of holidays from late April to early May that many look forward to all year. In 2025, the holiday period begins on Saturday, April 26, and runs through Tuesday, May 6. With a few weekdays in between, those who take time off strategically can enjoy up to 11 consecutive days of vacation.
To help make the most of this rare break, a curated selection of events and destinations is now available. From seasonal flower spots and family-friendly attractions to solo outings and festivals for friends, the guide features up-to-date, well-researched recommendations. Whether planning a day trip or an extended getaway, there’s something for everyone—available in both English and Japanese.
Golden Week 2025 Calendar:
• April 26 (Sat): Holiday
• April 27 (Sun): Holiday
• April 28 (Mon): Regular weekday
• April 29 (Tue, National Holiday): Showa Day
• April 30 (Wed): Regular weekday
• May 1 (Thu): Regular weekday
• May 2 (Fri): Regular weekday
• May 3 (Sat, National Holiday): Constitution Memorial Day
• May 4 (Sun, National Holiday): Greenery Day
• May 5 (Mon, National Holiday): Children’s Day
• May 6 (Tue, Substitute Holiday)
Hakata Dontaku 2025
A signature event during Golden Week in Fukuoka, Hakata Dontaku draws massive crowds—typically around two million over two days—making it one of Japan’s largest festivals. The name “Dontaku” is said to originate from the Dutch word zondag, meaning “Sunday” or “holiday.”
The festivities begin with the Hakata Matsubayashi, the festival’s historic core with roots stretching back over 840 years. Over two days, three auspicious gods on horseback, accompanied by a procession of children, visit more than 150 businesses and organizations across the city to offer blessings and good fortune.
Each afternoon, the spotlight shifts to Meiji-dori, where a 1.27 km stretch between Gofukumachi and Tenjin becomes the stage for the Dontaku Parade. Teams representing local companies and groups, known as Dontaku-tai, march, dance, and perform as thousands line the route to cheer them on.
The celebration spills into the rest of the city as well, with performances and events at over 40 special venues. From traditional music and dance to contemporary showcases, Fukuoka transforms into a vibrant festival city.
For full details, check out the Fukuoka Now Hakata Dontaku Guide, with the 2025 edition available.
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
• 5/3 (Sat., hol.), 5/4 (Sun., hol.)
• Free viewing
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/
GW Event List
Here’s a long list of events taking place between April 26 to May 6, 2025. Click on any of these to see photos and get details. Happy Golden Week!
• 3/20~5/28 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Uminonakamichi Flower Picnic 2025
• 4/19~6/8 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Terence Conran: Making Modern Britain
• 4/24~5/6 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Fukuoka Castle Night Market ~GW special~
• 4/25~27 (Itosima City): Itoshima Handmade Carnival
• 4/25~5/6 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Canal City Hakata 29th Anniversary Festival
• 4/25~5/6 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Beer of Japan Festival 2025 LaLaport Fukuoka
• 4/25~5/6 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Craft Gyoza Fes.
• 4/26 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Farmers Market – Midori no Machi Marche
• 4/26~27 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Kamome no Grill
• 4/26~5/6 (Itosima City): Shiraito Falls Fureai-no-Sato: Yamame Fishing Festival
• 4/26~29, 5/3~6 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Marine World Night Aquarium
• 4/26〜6/22 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Tezuka Osamu Black Jack Exhibition
• 4/27 (Itosima City): Sakurai Futamigaura, Shimenawa Festival
• 4/27 (Itosima City): 5th Itoshima Negi Festival: Celebration of Itoshima Green Onions
• 4/27 (Itosima City): Takasu Kagura Shinto Dance
• 4/27~30 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka: Strawberry Obsession
• 4/28~5/5 (Munakata City): Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament2024
• 4/29 (Nishi-ku, Fukuoka): GGBC ’25
• 4/29~5/5 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Kyushu Craft Beer Week 2025
• 4/29~5/5 (Arita-cho, Saga): Arita Ceramic Fair
• 4/29~5/5 (Karatsu City, Saga): Karatsu Yakimon Ceramic Festival
• 4/29~5/5 (Hasami-cho, Nagasaki): Hasami Ceramic Festival
• 5/2~18 (Fukuoka City): TACHINOMIST8
• 5/3~4 (Fukuoka City: Hakata Dontaku Festival 2025
• 5/3~4 (Fukuoka City): Hakata Matsubayashi
• 5/3~4 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Seaside Momochi Golden Week Festa
• 5/3~5 (Toho Village, Fukuoka): Koishiwara Spring Pottery Festival
• 5/3~7/13 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Yame Tea “KAISEKI” Afternoon Tea
• 5/5~6 (Ogori City, Fukuoka): Ajisaka Poppy Festival
• 5/5~11 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Fukuoka International Women’s Tennis Cup 2025
Fukuoka Now Seasonal Guide
Fukuoka Strawberry Picking Guide 2025
Fukuoka is a top producer of premium strawberry varieties, including the internationally recognized Amaou and Toyonoka. One of the best ways to enjoy these berries at their peak is through strawberry picking—a seasonal treat that lets visitors step inside growing houses and harvest fruit by hand.
This fresh, hands-on experience is available until around Golden Week in early May, making it a perfect spring outing. As farms may vary in schedules and capacity, it’s best to check availability and book in advance before heading out.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/fukuoka-strawberry-picking-guide/
Fukuoka Wisteria Guide 2025
Looking to catch the wisteria in all their glory in Fukuoka? Your best bet is around late-April. And for something truly special, keep an eye out for places hosting the Wisteria Festival, where you can see these blooms light up the night. Trust me, it’s a sight you won’t want to miss.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/wisteria-guide/
Fukuoka Now Azalea Guide 2025
In Fukuoka, the azalea season is in full swing, with peak blooms from mid-April through the Golden Week, offering a perfect palette of color that transforms the local landscape into a spectacular floral spectacle. This season, immerse yourself in the beauty of these cherished blooms—a cornerstone of local heritage and natural beauty.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/azalea-guide/
Clam Digging Guide 2025
Fukuoka Now, we’ve crafted a guide that strikes a balance between informative and engaging, perfect for everyone from curious first-timers to adept clam hunters. We offer all you need to know, from what to do before heading out to tips for a successful dig, not to mention highlighting Fukuoka’s prime clam-digging spots. A word to the wise: with clam populations on the decline, some areas have become off-limits, so it’s vital to clam dig with care and respect for local guidelines.
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: 4/25~27
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/clam-digging-guide/
FREE! 37 things to do in Fukuoka 2025
Exploring an exciting town like Fukuoka, packed with historical landmarks, great shopping and plenty of places to dine, you can easily slaughter your wallet in a single day. But the best things in life are free! So Fukuoka Now listed up approximately 37 things to enjoy for FREE in Fukuoka, from culture to sightseeing, to museums, language lessons and more! Check back again soon, we’ll add some more as we find them!
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/free-in-fukuoka/
Originally written in April 2016, updated April 2025.
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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.
