In Japan, many companies pay the first salary for new employees who joined in April in May. In other words, May is when you receive your very first paycheck. Until then, you need to cover your living expenses on your own for about a month. Combined with the stress of adjusting to a new work environment, it’s common to feel a bit overwhelmed or down, so take care of yourself during this time.
Seasonal Customs and Highlights
From late April to early May, many companies close for Golden Week, one of Japan’s longest holiday periods. In 2026, Golden Week runs from April 29 to May 6. Many people take extended time off, and popular destinations become very crowded. Trains, flights, and highways are extremely busy, and accommodation prices are usually higher than usual.
During this season, nemophila and tulips are in full bloom. The beautiful scenery at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture is especially famous. Wisteria flowers also reach their peak, with well-known spots including Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture and Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo. Along the coast, you can also see people enjoying clam digging.
May 5 is Children’s Day, also known as Tango no Sekku. It is a tradition to display samurai armor, helmets, and carp streamers (koinobori). These customs date back to the Edo period. The armor and helmets symbolize wishes for boys to grow up strong, while carp streamers represent the hope that children will overcome difficulties and achieve success in life.
It is also customary to eat kashiwa mochi (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves) and take a bath with iris leaves. Oak trees symbolize family continuity and prosperity, and eating kashiwa mochi expresses the wish for future generations to thrive. Iris baths are believed to protect against illness and bad luck.
Job Hunting for the Following Spring
May is when preparation and applications for summer internships begin. Most Japanese university students complete their initial research by May and start applying for internships. Following this trend, international students and those applying from overseas should also begin taking action.
The Mynavi website provides useful information, including job hunting schedules:
https://job.mynavi.jp/conts/global/2028/en/studyinjapan/
May 5 also marks Rikka (the beginning of summer) in the traditional Japanese calendar. While May is generally a season of fresh breezes and pleasant weather, the sunlight becomes stronger, and some days can feel like midsummer. It is also a time when people may become more prone to fatigue or illness, so take care of your health.
Treating yourself with your first paycheck can be a great way to lift your spirits. Enjoy the start of your new life with a positive mindset.
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
