Guide to Golden Week Japan: Travel Tips & Where to Go

It can be a quandary when planning a Japan tour between late April and early May - the busy Golden Week period packed with crowds and skyrocketing prices, making more situations need to be reconsidered: is the Golden Week really worth visiting? And how to avoid the crowds when planning this holiday travel to Japan? Luckily, you will find all the answers you need below. Enjoy Golden Week in Japan with this ultimate travel guide.

What Does Japan's Golden Week Celebrate

Actually, Golden Week in Japan is not a traditional festival like Obon or Tanabata. It is a festive week of allocated public holidays, including Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day, but without many set ways for celebrations (yet still bustling with local festival celebrations like Hamamatsu Festival and Hakata Dontaku Festival).

You can see local families hanging flying carp streamers (koinobori) on windows and streets around Children's Day, while most Japanese people would like to take this holiday week as a vacation to hang out for fun - that's why most attractions are jammed during this period.

Flying Carp Streamers, Koinobori

When is Golden Week in Japan 2026

Falls from late April to early May, Japan Golden Week in 2026 starts from April 29 to May 6.

Japan Golden Week Holidays
Date	Festival	Celebration
April 9	Showa Day	to honor the birthday of Emperor Showa
May 3	Constitution Memorial Day	celebrate the enactment of the 1947 Constitution of Japan
May 4	Greenery Day	a day to admire nature and to be thankful for blessings
May 5	Children's Day	bless the children's personalities and their happiness

While the Silver Week, another holiday week in Japan, is in September (September 19 to 23, 2026).

Is Golden Week Really Ideal for a Japan Visit

Simply speaking, traveling to Japan during Golden Week requires careful and detailed planning. It is not "that" easy for first-time visitors looking for a leisurely Golden Triangle visit around Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, or those who prefer a more tranquil journey and would like to wing it.

Meanwhile, Golden Week Japan travel is more ideal for visitors with full preparation. It is not impossible, but it does require your time and patience as payment. Whether to discover those off-the-beaten-path and hidden gems of Japan in the Tohoku, Hokkaido, and Kyushu regions, or experience the local lives with the perfect weather and lively festive atmosphere, Golden Week offers a special time to enjoy Japan.

• Golden Week travel in Japan is best for experienced visitors with good preparation, early booking, and an adequate budget.
• If not, find a reliable tour operator to arrange these things for you!

Facts About Golden Week in Japan

• The weather during Golden Week is pleasant and mild, with clear skies and little humidity, usually considered one of the best times to visit Japan. The rising temperature (about 16 to 23℃, 61 to 73℉) of mid-spring is ideal for outdoor adventure, wisteria floribunda admiring, and late cherry blossom viewing in northern Japan - the most advantageous of the Golden Week season you can take advantage of.
• It is one of the busiest times with heavy traffic, packed attractions, soaring prices, crowded stations, and quickly sold-out tickets - booking everything in advance!
• Some private stores and restaurants also close their business for rest during this holiday week - sometimes the konbini (convenience store) will be the right choice.

Crowded Harajuku During Japan Golden Week

Best Places to Visit in Japan During Golden Week

Suburban Villages With Tranquil Beauty

Compared to the bustling city views, Japanese villages around the suburbs are more recommended during the Golden Week Japan travel - an increase in visitors yet still maintain their tranquility and peace for your countryside immersion.

• Kakunodate: a well-preserved samurai district dotted by weeping cherry blossoms
• Tsumago: your ideal stay during the Nakasendo hikes to feel nature and history

Check out the top 12 Japanese villages for more travel ideas.

Tohoku & Hokkaido for Late Sakura Viewing

The northern Tohoku and Hokkaido regions with fewer population are one of the best places to visit in Japan during Golden Week. Well-connected by Shinkansen, but the relatively longer distance from central Japan makes it not always the top choice for local families.

You can explore wider areas, ranging from national parks to tranquil villages. Most importantly, these two northern regions still enjoy the tail of the cherry blossom season, making an ideal window for late sakura watching against the clear sky and mountains.

Shikoku & Kyushu for Nature, Arts & Festivals

Those subtropical natural scenes in Shikoku and Kyushu in southern Japan offer another kind of experience. Iya Valley, best for a remote mountain hike, and Yakushima, ideal for exciting primeval forest adventures. You can also visit Setouchi for some charming art museums, head to Mount Aso, one of the largest active volcanoes in Japan, a perfect alternative to Mt. Fuji, or enjoy the dancing Hakata Dontaku Festival there with street food.

What to Avoid During the Gold Week in Japan

• Popular themed parks like Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea, Universal Studios Japan
• Attractions around Tokyo, like Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura, and Karuizawa, are easy to reach and favored by locals
• City highlights and iconic landmarks, especially those in Kyoto
• Long-distance transport on April 29 to 30, and May 4 to 5
• Weekend journey to popular places

Tips to Plan a Golden Week Trip to Japan

Book All the Reservations as Early as Possible

• For flight tickets: 5 months in advance
• For accommodations: 6 to 12 months in advance, especially in popular cities like Kyoto
• For Shinkansen tickets and seats: 1 month early, and consider the JR Pass or some extra fee to keep your reservation seat.
• For dinner, restaurants, museums, and themed parks: about 3 to 6 months ahead. However, check their Golden Week operating hours first.

Tired of handling all these trivial reservations? Why not contact us for your care-free Japan tour, including the itinerary according to your preferences?

Preparing for the Long Line

Since traveling to Japan during Golden Week is a peak season trip with local residents, the long lines in attractions and streets may be the most common situation.

Preparing for some entertainment for the long wait is a good idea, or taking advantage of their online reservation service for some others to hang out before the admission time. If possible, consider the skip-the-line tickets for your quick start and visit.

Flexible Your Itinerary

Full enjoyment during Japan's Golden Week is paired with changing schedules and backup plans - compared to the long wait for the crowds and traffic jams, being flexible with the time and itinerary is the true key.

Try to simplify your itinerary with two or three items for one day, as this is enough during this special holiday week. Also, allowing some extra time for your transport between attractions, rest, and getting ready for the backups before something ruins your day.

Yet having no idea about the Golden Week itinerary and backups? Odynovo's professional guides and travel specialists are always willing to help. Just feel free to contact us.

Catch the Off-Peak Hours

Getting up earlier is one of the best ways to avoid traffic jams and long lines at attractions. And arriving 1 hour early before the opening time offers a good opportunity for your memory photos. Some museums and parks also extend 1 or 2 operating hours during Golden Week, making another off-peak hours from 9 to 10 pm you can benefit from.

So do the off-peak dining hours. For example, enjoy your lunch at 11 am and dinner at 5 pm.