I'm very lucky in that each year when Golden week arrives, it falls on my Birthday. Golden week is a series of Public Holidays towards the end of April and beginning of May where almost the whole of Japan takes a holiday, like it or not.

Only the real hardcore will continue working in the Golden week or Obon holidays as they are almost traditions.

This year myself and my partner did our usual "Lets get into the country and to an Onsen".We chose Niigata as there was the chance of still seeing sakura blossom.

While in Niigata I was surprised at the speed and effort that had been put in in recovery from last years earthquake.

This was an earthquake big enough that it was felt all over Japan, I remember the late evening when the aftershocks were felt.Earthquakes in Japan are measured on a different scale; 1-2 being minor tremors, 3-4 being very shaky,6 major damage and 7 being complete "ground opens up and swallows everything"

It was surprising to see that the effects of the 6.9 earthquake and flooding were almost gone.

Or so I thought...