7 Online Events You’ll Want to Bookmark for Golden Week 2021 

Tokyo entered its third state-of-emergency and Tokyo citizens are being urged to stick close to home during Golden Week 2021. 

Japan's Golden Week, from April 29 to May 5, is a series of consecutive national holidays that citizens and residents often use to travel abroad and within Japan. 

With many malls, bars, and entertainment facilities closing their doors in line with government requests, what can you safely plan to do on your precious days off? 

The following online events for Golden Week 2021 can’t replace being outdoors and in the sun, but it will—at least—give you something else to focus on.

Bookmark this page for online events that will allow you to travel, explore, and connect—while sheltering in place.  

1. For the Star Wars fan, show off your superfan colors

Date: May 4 (Tuesday), 2021

Star Wars Disney Official GW Page

May 4th is celebrated as Star Wars Day around the world because “May the 4th be with you.” This year, Walt Disney Japan will be holding an online campaign, asking fans to send in photos or videos showing how much they love Star Wars. To enter this campaign, follow the official Twitter campaign account, and post your photo using the hashtags 「#スターウォーズの日」and「#SW推し事キャンペーン」 Participants chosen by raffle will have a chance to win Star Wars merchandise. For application rules, check here. (Other exciting news for fans on May 4th, Star Wars Day: the first episode of Star Wars: Bad Batch will be available on Disney Plus Japan.)

2. Canceled Hawaii trip? Attend the Odaiba Online Hawaii Festival

Date: April 29 (Thursday) to May 30 (Sunday), 2021

Odaiba Online Hawaii Festival

Sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Board and usually hosted in Odaiba, the event moves online this year. The theme: “connecting peoples and places.” There will be video content unique to this online festival, Hawaii-related goods available for purchase, online workshops on the official page, and opportunities to connect with like-minded fans on Twitter and Instagram. 

3. For the cinephile, attend the Italian Film Festival online

Date: April 30 (Friday) to May 5 (Wednesday), 2021

URL: Festival del Cinema Italiano 2021

The Italian Film Festival in Japan, first established in 2001, has become an annual spring event. This year, for the first time in their history, film organizers will be hosting online screening of their selection. The 11 Italian films span a wide variety of genres from up-and-coming directors to masters of the craft. All of the selected films will be making their premiere in Japan.

4. For the digital marketer, attend Ad World 2021

Date: May 3 (Monday) to 5 (Wednesday), 2021

URL: Ad World

A 3-day event for the digital marketer. Sessions will be led by experts, such as Seth Godin, Craig Clemens, Sir Martin Sorrel, and others. Get access to 50 hours of focused speeches, exclusive interviews, live Q&A sessions, and in-depth panels covering digital marketing’s hottest topics. Ticket price for the full event is on sale at $349, with continued access to content for a full month thereafter. 

5. For the LOTR fan, take an online tour of NZ’s Hobbit Village

Date: May 5 (Wednesday / holiday) 11: 00-12: 00 (opens at 10:50), 2021

URL: Tabikobo.com

With the cooperation of the New Zealand Tourism Board, Tabikobo.com will be streaming an online live tour of popular spots, hosted by Hideaki Arai, who has worked on various commercials and movies shot in New Zealand. (Note: Tour will likely be held in Japanese.) The tour will broadcast from the location for The Lord of the Rings movies. *The location may change depending on the local weather. Fee: free. Capacity: 300 attendees. 

6. For the Zen seeker, a guided online meditation by a master

Date: May 1 (Saturday) 2021; 4:30pm (JST)

URL: Zazen on the Cloud

Attend a global meditation experience led by Toryo Ito, Deputy Head Priest of Ryosoku-in temple in Kyoto, filmed live at one of the oldest Zen temples in Kyoto. The meditation practice will be conducted in both English and Japanese. This event is a golden opportunity to add a little peace and mindfulness to the start of your holiday break.

7. For Nintendo Switch owners, THQ Nordic’s GW sale

Date: April 22 (Thursday) to May 12 (Wednesday), 2021

URL: Famitsu.com

This Golden Week sale boasts up to 90 percent off of select Nintendo Switch titles, including Little Big Workshop, SoongeBob Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated, Darksiders, Townsmen, Paint it RED!, Clouds & Sheep 2, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, and more. Other Japanese game makers will likely be using Golden Week to garner more fans, so look to your favorites for possible GW deals.