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Silver Week in Japan: A Brief Autumn Escape
Introduction to Silver Week
Sometime in the middle of September, people living in Japan enjoy a cluster of holidays that may last for as many as three days. This cluster of holidays is known as Silver Week. The term gained popularity in 2009, after Japan experienced a weekend and three public holidays with no work days in between them.
Unlike Golden Week, which is always a major holiday weekend (three consecutive holidays and a weekend), Silver Week has a length that varies each year. Hence, it’s not as popular internationally. A consecutive three-day break in Silver Week occurs every few years. The last one was in 2015 and the next one will be in 2026.
Understanding Silver Week: What and When?
By definition, Silver Week is a string of Japanese national holidays with varying lengths that occur in mid-September. The following are the holidays that make up this period:
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Respect for the Aged Day: This is an annual holiday scheduled for the third Monday of September. Beginning in 1966, it’s a day set aside by the government for honoring senior citizens. Its date variations determine the length of consecutive holidays in Silver Week.
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Autumnal Equinox Day: This is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the moment when the sun is directly above the celestial equator. Its exact date varies, but it typically falls on September 22 or 23.
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Kokumin no kyūjitsu (Citizen’s Holiday): This national holiday has no exact date. It gets triggered when a work day falls between two holidays. According to Japanese law, that work day automatically becomes a new holiday called Kokumin no kyūjitsu.
Silver Week is just one of the many holiday weeks in Japan, including Golden Week (from the end of April through May), Obon Holiday (mid-August, including Mountain Day on August 11), and End of the Year Holiday (from Christmas Eve in December to Coming of Age Day in January).
The Significance of Each Holiday During Silver Week
Although Silver Week is often considered a period to travel out of the country on vacation, the holidays that contribute to it are culturally significant. Respect for the Aged Day is a day for reflection and celebration of the contributions of the elderly citizens of the country. A lot of people return to their hometowns to pay their respects to aged relatives. Others volunteer to share food and gifts with senior citizens in their community.
Autumnal Equinox Day was once a religious holiday with Shinto and Buddhist backgrounds until 1948, when it was repackaged by the Japanese government as a non-religious holiday. The event celebrates the southward equinox, the arrival of autumn, and the harvest season. Believers in Shinto and Buddhism often visit ancestral graves, shrines, and temples on the day.
In 1948, Japan established a law that turned any non-holiday that falls in the middle of two holidays into an additional holiday called Kokumin no kyūjitsu or Citizen’s Holiday. The same law allows holidays that fall on weekends to be pushed into the next working day. The aim was to give people enough time to celebrate and promote unity in the country.
Silver Week 2024: Dates and Expectations
Unfortunately, we don’t get a three-day break for Silver Week in 2024. Instead, we get two separate holidays seven days apart from each other. Respect for the Aged Day falls on September 16 and Autumnal Equinox Day falls on September 22, which is a Sunday, meaning the actual holiday extends to September 23. Counting weekends, this is what Silver Week in 2024 looks like:
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September 14–16: Weekend and Respect for the Aged Day.
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September 21-23: Weekend and Autumnal Equinox Day.
We can expect to see a lot of workers use their vacation days in the 4-day work window between the two 3-day weekends. Hence, Japan’s travel and transportation networks will be very busy. You’ll need to take steps to ensure you navigate the city without stress.
Travel Tips: Maximizing Your Silver Week Vacation
Silver Week can be really busy because many people take vacations during this period. Without a solid plan, you may end up in long lines at major destinations. There’s also a chance that you'll encounter hikes in ticket prices and hotel rates, so make travel and accommodation reservations early. To save money on transportation, secure a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) before you travel. This pass gives you unlimited train rides for the week.
The weather during the Silver Week period is not as hot as it gets in the summer. Hence, the best place to be is outdoors. To avoid crowds at the top spots, time your visits to coincide with off-peak periods. We recommend that you arrive early in the morning or late in the evening, especially if you’re visiting the popular spots. The following are popular destinations in Silver Week:
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Mt. Daisetsu (Hokkaido): A visit to this mountain gives you the chance to see the earliest autumn foliage in Japan. There are two main ways to get to the summit. The first is by hiking to the top of the mountain on foot, and the second is by taking the ropeway to the halfway mark before riding a lift to the top.
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Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields (Hakone): There’s a lot to see in Hakone, but no sight is as breathtaking as the gold and silver pampas grass fields at Sengokuhara. Unfortunately, this is not a year-round sight. It’s only available from September to November.
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Imperial Palace (Tokyo): During the mid-September holidays, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace tends to welcome fewer crowds than other popular destinations. This makes it the perfect destination for you. Enjoy tours around the castle area, learn about Japanese history, and see lush gardens.
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teamLab Botanical Gardens (Osaka): This is an outdoor botanical garden located in Osaka. Its 240,000-square-meter area has a massive lake in its center. Stick around till nighttime to see the illumination show on the garden grounds.
Cultural Events and Festivals During Silver Week
There are many cultural events and local festivals that take place during Silver Week, providing tourists with a chance to experience traditional Japanese culture up close. We recommend Tokyo’s Nezu Shrine Reitaisai if you like to see traditional dance performances live. You can also attend the Manjushage Festival in Satte City, which features a stunning natural carpet of 3 million red higanbana flowers.
You can also partake in the local otsukimi tradition. It includes a set of moon-viewing festivals where people give offerings to show their gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Other popular festive events to attend during your stay are the Nakanobu Nebuta Festival, the Fiesta Mexicana Festival, and the Akasaka Hikawa Matsuri.
Economic Impact of Silver Week
Silver Week has had a significant impact on the travel sector in Japan. Although it contributes to growth by generating more revenue, some stations struggle to deal with the high demand for domestic transport. Air travel is also affected, with lots of people coming in and out of the country. The tourism and hospitality sectors of Japan thrive during this period, so luxury hotels and top ryokans may see prices surge to double their normal rates. Outdoor destinations see the most crowds because of the favorable weather conditions. Although the rural areas are less affected by the high demand, their retail shops, including supermarkets and convenience stores, tend to see more business.
How Businesses Operate During Silver Week
During the holidays, most businesses offer days off to their employees, which could lead them to temporarily halt operations. Although there are no legal obligations to pay employees for their days off, most companies do. Businesses in the tourism and hospitality industries still operate as usual, although there may be changes in their business hours and services. This trend makes sense because if hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites were to shut down like other businesses, there would be no need for the holidays.
Businesses that tend to close during Silver Week include banks, post offices, and corporate firms. Those that typically stay open with little to no changes to their operation hours include department stores, museums, and shops.
Silver Week vs. Golden Week: A Comparison
The major difference between the two holiday weekends is that Golden Week is always a collection of four holidays in seven days, while Silver Week is occasionally a collection of three holidays in seven days. The term “silver” refers to the perception that the holiday is valued less than the more popular Golden Week. Some people never heard of Silver Week until the holidays accumulated favorably in 2009 and 2015.
Both Golden Week and Silver Week can have massive economic impacts. However, Silver Week is more attributed to foreign travel than Golden Week, which sees most Japanese people explore other cities within the country.
The major Japanese public holidays in Golden Week are:
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Showa Day: April 29
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Constitution Memorial Day: May 3
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Greenery Day: May 4
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Children’s Day: May 5
There’s a lot more to learn about these Japanese holidays and how they're celebrated. Feel free to read our guide on the topic to learn everything you need to know, including its link to the Emperor's birthday.
Planning for Future Silver Weeks
Planning for the next Silver Week is easy if you follow one simple principle: always book ahead. This will not only save you from facing surges due to high demand but will also give you peace of mind before your trip. The principle applies to every aspect of your trip, including flights, train rides, and accommodation. If you’re traveling with kids, you might want to take into account the school schedule in your country. It also helps to plan a one-week itinerary for your stay, which should include visits to festivals, sightseeing spots, and culinary adventures. And make sure the destinations you include are covered by your JR Pass. If you decide to stay for a few more weeks, you can catch the next official holiday, Health and Sports Day, on the second Monday of October.
Conclusion:
The charm, favorable weather, and calm atmosphere of Silver Week make it an ideal time for both relaxation and cultural exploration in Japan. You should start planning ahead to make the most of this quieter holiday period.
Before the much-anticipated holidays arrive, continue exploring your interest in Japanese culture with the help of Bokksu Boutique. We provide the best gift items from Japan. Let’s help you find the perfect presents in 2024.
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