Ok, I’ll start by saying that I think the Japanese holiday system is stupid. But if I get started on why, I’ll be here all day.
All you need to know is that most Japanese employees don’t freely take holidays over Easter, Summer, or Christmas. The WHOLE country takes a holiday 3 times a year. So, by default companies are closed…and people have a holiday. ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
As a result of the peak period starting on the same day for everyone, plane tickets are so expensive, people often stay in the country. And as all the roads and trains are so busy, people often do nothing in the holidays.
Next week is a series of national holidays that collectively are called Golden Week. Most companies are closed for most of first week in May. Getting very warm in most of japan now too. If you are selling in the outdoor market, pump up your PPC spend. People will be shopping!
BTW, the next collective longish holiday is “Obon”, in mid August. The 3rd holiday is over New Year. Remember, unless it falls on a weekend, Christmas is a work day in Japan.
Know that a lot of bored people will be staring at their mobile phones and computers over the holidays. It’s a good time to make sales as people mostly aren’t away, as they are in the west.
*This post originated from a post in the Amazon Japan Facebook group, “Amazon Japan PL”. The information may well have changed by the time you read this. Please check the DATE of the post before you make any decisions based on this information!
