Golden Week (a week we will NOT be in Japan)

Last week was Golden Week in Japan! A great week for the Japanese, but not for the traveler. Airfare prices soar, transportation is impossible to reserve, and businesses are closed. It's during the last week of April/ first week of May. April 29 is Showa Day, May 3 is Constitution Memorial Day, May 4 is Greenery Day, and (most popular) is Children's Day on May 5. Danny Choo explains it a bit more:

Golden Week by Danny Choo