Top 5 Japanese Traditions and Events in May That Signal the End of Spring

1. Golden Week: Japan’s Longest Holiday Period

Golden Week is a collection of national holidays that occurs from late April to early May. It includes Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day. Many people take vacations during this time, making it one of the busiest travel seasons in Japan. Families travel, attend festivals, or relax at home. The warm weather and blooming nature add to the festive mood, offering a strong sense of spring’s final flourish. While costs for transportation and accommodation can spike during this time, with domestic travel averaging around ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 (approximately $200–$350 USD), the experience is considered worth it by many.

2. Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi): Celebrating Growth and Happiness

Held annually on May 5, Children’s Day is a time to celebrate the health and happiness of children. Households with boys often display “koinobori” (carp streamers) and samurai dolls, symbols of strength and perseverance. Traditional foods like “kashiwa mochi” (oak-leaf-wrapped rice cakes) are eaten. This celebration not only marks the close of Golden Week but also reflects a broader cultural emphasis on family and future generations, resonating with the changing of seasons.

3. Mother’s Day in Japan: Honoring Maternal Love

Mother’s Day, though not originally Japanese, is widely celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Children often give red carnations, letters, and handmade gifts to express appreciation. It’s a quieter event compared to other May holidays, yet deeply emotional and reflective. The act of giving thanks aligns with the season’s transition, as families cherish warmth before the summer begins in earnest.

4. Rice Planting Season: Welcoming Early Summer with Agricultural Rituals

May is the start of the rice planting season in many rural areas of Japan. This period involves “taue” (rice transplanting) ceremonies, some of which are performed with traditional songs and costumes to pray for a good harvest. These agricultural customs connect people to the rhythms of nature and the land. For many, the sight of green rice paddies signals the end of spring and the start of early summer.

5. Changing Wardrobes (Koromogae): A Cultural Shift in Clothing with the Season

Koromogae, or the seasonal changing of clothes, typically begins on June 1 in schools and workplaces, but preparations start in May. People begin storing away heavier clothes and bringing out summer uniforms and lighter garments. This tradition reflects Japan’s sensitivity to seasonal shifts, and is part of a broader lifestyle adaptation that blends practicality with cultural awareness.

Keyword 1: “Japanese May traditions”

Keyword 2: “end of spring in Japan”

1. Golden Week: Japan’s Longest Holiday Period

Golden Week is a series of national holidays that spans from late April to early May, offering one of the longest vacation periods for many Japanese workers. The holidays include Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day. During this time, families travel domestically or internationally, visit relatives, or attend local festivals. Travel expenses can significantly rise during this season, with average domestic trips costing around ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 (approximately $200–$330 USD). Golden Week marks the last major celebration of spring before the arrival of the humid Japanese summer.

2. Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi): Celebrating Growth and Happiness

Celebrated on May 5, Children’s Day is a national holiday that honors the healthy growth and happiness of children. Families raise colorful carp-shaped streamers called “koinobori” and display samurai dolls to symbolize strength and courage. Traditional foods like “kashiwa mochi” (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves) are enjoyed on this day. As part of Golden Week, it blends fun, family, and seasonal symbolism, embodying the spirit of late spring.

3. Mother’s Day in Japan: Honoring Maternal Love

Observed on the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day in Japan is a heartfelt occasion where children express gratitude to their mothers with gifts, cards, and flowers—most notably red carnations. Although not a public holiday, it is widely celebrated across the country. Many families opt for small gatherings or home-cooked meals. This gentle celebration reflects the softer tone of May as spring transitions toward early summer.

4. Rice Planting Season: Welcoming Early Summer with Agricultural Rituals

May marks the beginning of rice planting season, known as “taue” in Japan. In rural areas, ceremonial rice planting events take place, often involving traditional music, dancing, and prayer for a bountiful harvest. These customs are deeply rooted in Shinto beliefs and agricultural history. Watching green rice seedlings take root in flooded fields is a clear sign that spring is ending and summer is near.

5. Changing Wardrobes (Koromogae): A Cultural Shift in Clothing with the Season

“Koromogae” is the seasonal tradition of changing wardrobes, typically practiced on June 1, but many begin preparing in May. Schools and companies transition from winter to summer uniforms, and households store away heavy clothing in favor of lighter attire. This change is more than practical—it reflects Japan’s sensitivity to seasonal transitions and a collective awareness of nature’s rhythms.

Keyword 1: “Japanese May traditions”

Keyword 2: “end of spring in Japan”

1. Golden Week: Japan’s Longest Holiday Period

Golden Week is a major holiday season in Japan that spans from late April to early May, comprising four national holidays: Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children’s Day (May 5). It is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, as many Japanese take extended vacations. Popular activities include domestic travel, visits to hot springs, and attending festivals. During this period, travel costs can surge significantly, with domestic trips averaging around ¥40,000 to ¥60,000 (roughly $270–$400 USD) per person. Golden Week reflects the peak of spring and acts as a farewell to the season.

2. Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi): Celebrating Growth and Happiness

Children’s Day, celebrated on May 5, is dedicated to the health and happiness of children. Families raise carp-shaped streamers called “koinobori” outside their homes, symbolizing strength and success in life. Inside the home, traditional warrior dolls and helmets are displayed, representing courage and protection. Foods such as “kashiwa mochi” (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves) and “chimaki” (sweet rice wrapped in bamboo leaves) are enjoyed. This holiday reflects the hopes parents have for their children and is a joyful expression of seasonal change.

3. Mother’s Day in Japan: Honoring Maternal Love

Mother’s Day is celebrated in Japan on the second Sunday of May, in line with many Western countries. It is not a public holiday, but it is widely observed. Children give gifts, flowers—typically red or pink carnations—and handwritten letters to express love and appreciation for their mothers. Department stores and supermarkets promote Mother’s Day gift sets, often ranging from ¥1,000 to ¥5,000 ($7–$35 USD). This occasion, set in mid-May, blends the warmth of family ties with the gentle ending of spring.

4. Rice Planting Season: Welcoming Early Summer with Agricultural Rituals

May marks the start of the rice planting season across Japan, particularly in rural regions. Known as “taue,” the process is more than just farming—it includes ceremonial rituals and community gatherings that reflect respect for nature. In some areas, traditional costumes and music accompany the planting, turning it into a cultural event. These rituals symbolize the transition from spring to summer and reinforce the deep agricultural roots of Japanese society.

5. Changing Wardrobes (Koromogae): A Cultural Shift in Clothing with the Season

Koromogae, or the seasonal wardrobe change, is an important cultural practice that typically occurs on June 1, but many people begin preparing in May. Schools and companies switch from winter to summer uniforms, and families reorganize their closets to store heavier garments and bring out lighter ones. This custom reflects the Japanese attention to seasonal detail and cleanliness, marking the subtle but meaningful transition from the mild weather of spring to the warmth of summer.

Keyword 1: “Japanese May traditions”

Keyword 2: “end of spring in Japan”

1. Golden Week: Japan’s Longest Holiday Period

Golden Week, spanning from late April to early May, is one of the most anticipated holiday seasons in Japan. It includes four national holidays—Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day—creating an extended vacation period for many. During this time, people travel, visit family, or enjoy cultural events. Travel expenses can rise sharply, with average domestic trips costing around ¥40,000 to ¥70,000 (approximately $260–$460 USD). Golden Week is not only a break from work and school but also a time to appreciate the last vibrant moments of spring before the humid summer sets in.

2. Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi): Celebrating Growth and Happiness

Celebrated on May 5, Children’s Day is a national holiday that honors the growth, happiness, and future of children—especially boys. Families display “koinobori” (carp-shaped streamers) outside their homes, with each carp representing a family member. Inside, traditional samurai dolls and helmets are exhibited to symbolize strength and protection. Seasonal treats like “kashiwa mochi” and “chimaki” are commonly eaten. This holiday is not only festive but also rich in symbolic meaning, marking the vitality of youth and the energy of spring’s final chapter.

3. Mother’s Day in Japan: Honoring Maternal Love

Although not a national holiday, Mother’s Day in Japan is widely celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Children express gratitude by gifting flowers—most commonly red carnations—along with handwritten letters and small presents. Shops offer special gift packages ranging from ¥1,000 to ¥5,000 (roughly $7–$35 USD). Families often share a home-cooked meal or dine out to honor mothers. Occurring in mid-May, this occasion adds a gentle, emotional note to the seasonal transition from spring to early summer.

4. Rice Planting Season: Welcoming Early Summer with Agricultural Rituals

In rural Japan, May signals the beginning of the rice planting season, known as “taue.” This process is more than agricultural labor—it is a traditional event steeped in community and spirituality. Some regions hold rice planting festivals, featuring performances, prayers for a good harvest, and participants dressed in historical clothing. Watching the transformation of muddy fields into vibrant green paddies is a powerful visual cue that the lush season of growth is arriving, symbolizing the end of spring and the onset of early summer.

5. Changing Wardrobes (Koromogae): A Cultural Shift in Clothing with the Season

Koromogae refers to the seasonal custom of changing wardrobes, typically practiced on June 1 but often prepared for in May. Students and office workers switch from winter to summer uniforms, and households pack away cold-weather clothing in favor of lighter fabrics. This ritual reflects Japan’s cultural sensitivity to seasonal changes and the aesthetic appreciation of appropriate attire. It’s a subtle yet deeply ingrained practice that signals the shift from spring’s softness to summer’s intensity.

Keyword 1: “Japanese May traditions”

Keyword 2: “end of spring in Japan”

1. Golden Week: Japan’s Longest Holiday Period

Golden Week is one of Japan’s most important holiday periods, taking place between late April and early May. It includes multiple national holidays such as Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day. This extended break allows families and individuals to travel, participate in local festivals, or relax at home. Due to high demand, travel costs increase during this time, with domestic trips often costing around ¥40,000 to ¥70,000 (approximately $260–$470 USD). Golden Week marks the peak of spring and is seen as a festive farewell to the season before the hot summer months begin.

2. Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi): Celebrating Growth and Happiness

Children’s Day, celebrated on May 5, is a national holiday that celebrates the healthy growth and happiness of children. Homes are decorated with “koinobori” (carp-shaped streamers) that represent family members, and traditional warrior dolls are displayed inside to symbolize strength and protection. Seasonal sweets such as “kashiwa mochi” (oak leaf-wrapped rice cakes) and “chimaki” (sweet rice dumplings) are enjoyed. As part of Golden Week, this event brings families together and highlights the energy and potential of the younger generation during the final days of spring.

3. Mother’s Day in Japan: Honoring Maternal Love

Mother’s Day is celebrated in Japan on the second Sunday of May, aligning with many other countries. Though not a national holiday, it is widely observed. Children give carnations—usually red or pink—along with handwritten letters and thoughtful gifts. Stores offer gift sets that typically range from ¥1,000 to ¥5,000 (about $7–$35 USD). The occasion is a quiet and heartfelt one, providing a moment of appreciation and love that matches the gentle mood of late spring.

4. Rice Planting Season: Welcoming Early Summer with Agricultural Rituals

May is the start of the rice planting season in Japan, especially in rural regions. Known as “taue,” this activity includes both practical farming and ceremonial traditions that are often held in local communities. These ceremonies may involve music, dance, and prayers for a good harvest. The sight of water-filled fields and young green rice shoots is a strong seasonal image that indicates the shift from spring’s calm to the more vigorous energy of summer. This period also reflects Japan’s deep agricultural heritage and respect for nature.

5. Changing Wardrobes (Koromogae): A Cultural Shift in Clothing with the Season

Koromogae, or the seasonal wardrobe change, is a traditional practice observed across Japan. While the official change occurs on June 1, many people begin preparing in May. Schools and offices switch from winter to summer uniforms, and families rearrange closets to store heavier clothing and bring out lighter fabrics. This cultural practice is both functional and symbolic, reflecting an awareness of seasonal changes and the importance of cleanliness and order. It marks a clear boundary between spring’s end and the coming summer.

Keyword 1: “Japanese May traditions”

Keyword 2: “end of spring in Japan”

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