Japan’s extended spring vacation, when a series of national holidays bunch up, is known as “Golden Week.” This year adds the May 1 accession of the new emperor, Crown Prince Naruhito, to … What is Golden Week? If you want to see Cherry Blossom but aren’t excited about the prospect of crowds, we’d urge you to avoid Golden Week, and instead travel to Japan during early March. With this in mind, just because it is a major public holiday it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a successful trip. Golden Week in Japan is an exciting time for Japanese people: they can visit family, travel around Japan or go abroad on holiday. Many Japanese companies give the gap days as company holidays. Golden Week is a popular time for holiday travel. Should you avoid visiting during Golden Week in Japan? What is going on Golden Week in Japan may be a bit of a mystery to those who have not visited the country and experienced this national holiday for themselves. I just learned the last few days of this trip will overlap with Golden Week. Golden Week is a series of four national holidays in spring. On May 3, Constitution Day, called Kenpo kinenbi, is celebrated in honor of the ratification of the Japanese constitution in 1947. Golden week is one of the busiest weeks in Japan besides the Japanese new year. ... Do not go to Japan during Golden Week. The Golden Week holiday period is between late April and early May, and is one of Japan's busiest travel periods With major tourist destination packed, May is a good time to explore lower-key options The giant carp streamers you can see around rural Japan in May are … A collection of holidays when most of Japan is offered paid leave and has some free time to kill, this is a period when a […] It’s the third longest holiday in Japan after Obon (summer) and New Years holidays. Golden Week is the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese workers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has discouraged holiday travel during "Golden Week" to prevent the spread of infections. So if you wish to avoid the crowds, better to visit Japan from mid May. It's one of the busiest travel seasons in Japan and should be avoided if possible. These were pretty much the only “people” I ran into in Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu during Golden Week 2014. You can use my previous Golden Week trips as a refercen to see how crowded several places were: Golden Week 2012 / Golden Week 2013 / Golden Week 2014. Golden Week 2021. Golden Week in Japan is usually from April 29 to May 5. Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Japan. Join a full-day guided tour from Tokyo that... Tokyo Robot Restaurant Show Ticket. But, there is a very big downside to this. This year, however, the … A collection of holidays when most of Japan is offered paid leave and has some free time to kill, this is a period when a […] Despite significantly higher rates, flights, trains, and hotels are often fully booked. Some of the places with the biggest influxes of tourists during Golden Week will be: Kiyomizu-dera Temple Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine Nishiki Market Ginkaku-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji Temple Ryoan-ji Temple rock garden Nijo-jo Castle During each day between April 29th and May 5th Japan celebrates a different holiday beginning with Showa Day and ending with Children's Day. Showa Day, or Showa no hi, on April 29 is the birthday of the late Emperor Showa, or Hirohito, who ruled Japan during World War II. They're on non-consecutive days but many people take off the gap days. In 2021, the weekends are placed in a way to create a 5-day weekend. The trains get replaced with new shiny ones, food festivals are being held, live music is found everywhere, and fun events will be held at many hostels. You have been warned. If the overcrowded public transport during Golden Week puts you off traveling to Japan in Spring, then you might opt to visit the country during one of the quieter holiday periods. What is going on Golden Week in Japan may be a bit of a mystery to those who have not visited the country and experienced this national holiday for themselves. Festivals, meaning and holidays.