Japan National Holidays

Photo: Steven Diaz
Japan National Holidays
Constitution Memorial Day
April 30, 2021

Constitution Memorial Day憲法記念日・けんぽうきねんび is held every year on May 3 to commemorate the promulgation in 1947 of Japan’s constitution. It was first celebrated in 1948 to reflect upon democracy and the role of 政府せいふ・government.

憲法記念日けんぽうきねんび・Constitution Memorial Day falls in the middle of ゴールデンウィークGolden Week one of the longest and busiest holiday periods in Japan. Golden Week is also the time when warm weather begins in earnest. Many people take advantage of both the weather and their time off to 旅行りょこう・travel.

Many cities and towns throughout Japan have large festivals during this time. One of the largest festivals is held in 浜松市はままつし・Hamamatsu City in 静岡県しずおかけん・Shizuoka Prefecture. It features Brazilian Samba dancing (because of its large Brazilian and South American population) and parades of 屋台やたい・yatai and 御神輿おみこし・shrine floats. Each one represents a different town and is different from the next. All of them are pulled by matching 浴衣ゆかた・yukata clad teams from their respective towns.

There are also dozens of 屋台やたい・food stalls and live music performances in the area around 浜松駅はままつえき・Hamamatsu Station. There is kite flying and a festival on the beach where enormous hand-painted wood and paper たこ・kites from each town battle to stay in the air and cut down the kites of other teams.

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