If you’re planning a trip to Japan and your dates happen to fall during Golden Week (April 29th to May 5th), you might want to reconsider. Let me explain why as someone who has lived in Japan my whole life.

What is Golden Week?

Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays within seven days:

• April 29: Showa Day (昭和の日)
• May 3: Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日)
• May 4: Greenery Day (みどりの日)
• May 5: Children’s Day (こどもの日)

Many Japanese workers take the entire week off by using a few vacation days to bridge the gaps. This creates the longest vacation period for most Japanese people aside from the New Year holidays.

Why I Recommend Avoiding Golden Week

I’ll be blunt: It’s better not to come during Golden Week.

Here’s something you need to understand about Japan: unlike Europe where people can easily take several weeks of vacation, Japanese workers typically only have two major holiday periods throughout the year:

1. Golden Week (late April to early May)
2. New Year holidays (late December to early January)

This means almost everyone in Japan travels during these exact same weeks.

What This Means for Tourists

1. Transportation is Fully Booked

The Shinkansen (bullet train) usually has plenty of availability throughout the year. But during Golden Week? Both Shinkansen and domestic flights are completely packed. You might not be able to get the seats you want, or any seats at all on popular routes.

2. Accommodation Prices Skyrocket

Hotels and ryokans significantly increase their prices during Golden Week. What normally costs ¥10,000 per night might jump to ¥20,000 or more. And even at those inflated prices, many places are fully booked months in advance.

3. Roads Are the Most Congested

If you’re planning to rent a car, prepare for the worst traffic of the entire year. Highway traffic jams can stretch for dozens of kilometers, turning what should be a 2-hour drive into a 6-hour ordeal.

4. Popular Tourist Spots Are Overwhelming

Places like Kyoto, Kamakura, and theme parks become extremely crowded. You’ll spend more time waiting in lines than actually enjoying the attractions.

Is There ANY Reason to Come During Golden Week?

The only good reason I can think of is if you’re meeting friends who live in Japan. Since Japanese workers have limited vacation time, Golden Week might be the only time your local friends can take time off to spend with you.

Otherwise? Absolutely do not come.

Better Times to Visit Japan

If you have flexibility in your schedule, consider these alternatives:

Best Seasons

• Late March to early April: Cherry blossom season (but skip the first week of April when schools start)
• Mid-November: Beautiful autumn foliage
• January (after the 7th): Winter scenery without the New Year crowds

Months to Consider

• February: Fewer tourists, winter festivals in Hokkaido
• June: Rainy season but very few tourists
• September: After summer vacation crowds
• October: Pleasant weather, pre-autumn foliage

What If You MUST Visit During Golden Week?

If your travel dates are fixed and you have no choice, here are some survival tips:

1. Book everything EARLY – Hotels, trains, restaurants with reservations… book at least 2-3 months in advance
2. Consider less popular destinations – Skip Kyoto and Tokyo; try smaller cities like Kanazawa, Matsuyama, or Kagoshima
3. Avoid driving – Use trains when possible, even if crowded
4. Wake up early – Visit popular spots right when they open
5. Have backup plans – Your first choice might be too crowded; always have alternatives

Final Thoughts

I know this might sound harsh, but I want to give you honest advice. Golden Week is wonderful for Japanese people who rarely get vacation time, but for international tourists who have flexibility, there are so many better times to experience Japan.

If you visit during a normal week, you’ll enjoy:

• Reasonable hotel prices
• Available train seats
• Shorter lines at attractions
• A more relaxed atmosphere

Save Golden Week for another time – or better yet, come during a quieter period and truly enjoy everything Japan has to offer!

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