Vacations in Japan are a huge huge conspiracy thought up by the travel industry to suck money out of the innocent consumers (the big businesses are in on it too though). Bigger conspiracy than Valentine's Day!

So here's what happens: Everyone in Japan (ok, maybe only like 90% of the people) have 3 weeks of paid vacation every year. Sounds good so far. Those three weeks are given during New Years, Golden Week in May, and Oban in August. You can't take other times off, all of Japan is on vacation during those three weeks. The travel industry jacks the prices up drastically during those 3 weeks in order to gouge the travelers. For example, if I were to book a flight to Thailand leaving 2 days before Golden Week starts and coming back 1 day after it ends, my flight would be $500 cheaper. I went into a travel agent yesterday to do another check on prices to Thailand, the travel agent laughed at me and wouldn't even give me prices. This vacation thing is garbage, you may get the time off, but you can't afford to go anywhere!!!! Grrrrr!!!!!!!!