Japan Golden Week travel guide making travel plans to Japan during Golden Week 2025? In Japan, this energetic holiday season—from late April to early May—is among the most looked forward to times of the year.
Golden Week, well-known for its vibrant scene and rich cultural events, is ideal for visitors who want to experience the core of Japanese customs and festivities.
This blog will discuss Golden Week, its meaning when it occurs, and the importance of each event. We’ll also provide interesting facts about each event to help you understand why it’s so special in Japan.
What Is Golden Week Japan?
Japan Golden Week is a sequence of national holidays spanning one week in Japan. Along with New Year’s and Obon, Golden Week in Japan—also known as Gōruden Wīku or Ōgon Shūkan—is one of the busiest holidays there.
Many Japanese people seize this chance to travel domestically or abroad, and companies sometimes close for the whole week.
Golden Week usually lasts from April 29 to May 5. This year, it will take place from Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to Monday, May 5, 2025. The precise dates can vary somewhat depending on the weekend.
Golden Week consists of several holidays, including:
- Showa Day, or Showa no Hi, on April 29, honors Emperor Showa’s birthday.
- Kenpou Kinenbi, Constitution Memorial Day, marks the publication of the post-war constitution.
- Greenery Day (Midori no Hi) on May 4 will help one to value the surroundings and nature.
- Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) on May 5 commemorates their happiness and health.
Travel Destinations Popular During Golden Week
Japan has a great number of breathtaking sites. Some, meanwhile, see noticeably more people visiting during Japan Golden Week. Think about these well-known options, but be ready for crowds:
Kyoto & Nara
Kyoto Holidays: This city is a must-see with its ancient temples, calm gardens, geishas, and energetic markets. Expect big throngs at famous places like Fushimi Taisha and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).
Nara: Renowned for its friendly wild deer wandering Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple, home of a massive bronze Buddha statue, is Nara.
Tokyo
Tokyo is a vast city with many attractions ranging from classic Asakusa temples to modern skyscrapers and energetic Shibuya crossing. Popular sites, including the Imperial Palace and Senso-ji Temple, will be humming.
Mount Fuji & Hakone
Mount Fuji & Hakone: Amazing vistas of Mount Fuji and the picturesque Hakone area are perfect for those who enjoy the natural surroundings. Still, you should expect huge queues and maybe booking problems.
Hiroshima & Miyajima
Hiroshima and Miyajima are moving and historically important journeys. Stop at Miyajima Island’s Itsukushima Shrine and the world-renowned floating Torii gate at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
Details Regarding Japan’s Golden Week
- Originally instituted in 1948, Golden Week has become a major celebration for family get-togethers and leisure travel.
- The great number of visitors causes transportation and lodging rates to rise; tickets sell fast.
- Certain businesses could provide extra days off to extend a longer holiday, resulting in a 10-day break in some years.
- For Japan, Golden Week is among the busiest times of the year. Many use this time for holidays and relaxation, which results in packed public transport, restaurants, and tourist sites.
- The prominence of Golden Week makes hotels readily booked. Book tickets in advance since crowded buses and bullet trains can be found in transportation.
- Planning is crucial given the many celebrations, parades, and activities underway. Plan your calendar ahead of time to guarantee you never miss any attractions.
- Take part in customs, appreciate the surroundings, and eat local food. Use this opportunity to discover and educate yourself about Golden Week’s diverse cultural celebrations.
Popular Events During Golden Week in Japan
Many Japanese individuals travel both inside their own country and abroad. Popular locations include Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka Holidays, and hot spring resorts. This is also the time for several local celebrations and activities.
Many people also use the springtime weather of Japan Golden Week to visit parks, gardens, and natural sights. Popular activities include hiking, picnicking, and flower viewing—hanami. Golden Week is a regular time for sales and special promotions, so shopping is popular now.
Both residents and visitors of Tokyo, Japan, participate in several well-liked events during Golden Week. These are several of them:
- Cherry Blossom Viewing in Tohoku: Starting in the south, the cherry blossom season in Japan progressively travels north. The northern parts of Tohoku still show plenty of cherry blossoms during Golden Week.
- May 5 is a national holiday called Children’s Day, on which people pray for boys’ healthy development. Koinobori, or carp streamers, fly in jubilation.
- Visiting the Kawachi Wisteria Garden stunning wisteria blossoms abound in this garden.
- Among the most well-known celebrations observed during Golden Week is the Hakata Dontaku Festival.
- For individuals who love the outdoors, camping beside Lake Motosu is a well-liked pastime.
- Hiking in Kamikochi popular for its stunning natural surroundings is Kamikochi.
- Popular location during Golden Week, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, is renowned for its breathtaking views.
- One of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, visiting Amanohashidate, Relaxing in Kinosaki Onsen: A Popular Golden Week pastime is visiting an onsen from the well-known hot spring town and Hachijojima Island, in the Philippine Sea, is well-known for its nice beaches and mild temperatures.
Golden Week is a hectic travel time. It is advised to arrange and book any travel and accommodation well in advance.
Japanese Golden Week Travel Advice
Although visiting Japan during Golden Week can be an interesting adventure, the great amount of local and International visitors means that one should plan.
These pointers will assist you in negotiating Golden Week Tokyo Holidays, Japan’s busiest holiday season:
1. Look ahead
Given the great demand for accommodations and transportation, it’s imperative to reserve your tickets and hotel well in advance. Golden Week is Japan’s busiest travel time; hence, popular locations could get packed. Ideally, three to six months, make bookings well ahead. This covers home aircraft tickets, reserved train seating, lodging, sightseeing trips, amusement parks, etc.
Early on, hotels, trains, planes, and tours fill all available spaces. Make sure your trip is at least two months ahead of planned. Also, several lodging choices will have no vacancies this week; thus, if you know exactly where you will be in Japan during that time, book months in advance.
2. Expect Crowds
Be ready for big crowds at airports, rail stations, and well-liked tourist sites. Given the sheer volume of people traveling Golden Week, access to transportation and attractions can be challenging5. Give everything additional time.
3. Keep flexible
Try to be adaptable with your trip schedules and dates to avoid peak traffic. If train tickets run out, consider renting a vehicle or bus. Certain rural airports also offer less packed domestic flights.
4. Savour Local Attractions
Should travel prove impossible, consider visiting nearby attractions and participating in local celebrations and festivities. Golden Week is the time for numerous celebrations and festivities. For instance, the Hakata Dontaku Festival is among the most well-known events hosted during Golden Week.
Spring is a great season to appreciate Japan’s natural beauty. For example, camping beside Lake Motosu is quite common. If you find yourself in Japan when they are in bloom, enjoy hanami or view cherry blossoms.
Although Japan Golden Week presents a special chance to enjoy Japanese celebrations and culture, the large number of visitors calls for careful planning.
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Conclusion
Japan’s Golden Week 2025 will be a bright and amazing time. If you plan and use these tips, you can get through the crowds and have memories of your trip to Japan during this special time for a lifetime. Don’t forget to book your Japan Golden Week trip early to get the best deals and avoid sadness. Have a great trip!
