Golden Week is a cluster of national holidays in late April and early May. Many Japanese people travel at this time, so trains, hotels and tourist sites can be very busy. The holidays also change opening hours for some shops and attractions. Plan this week with care, or choose a different week if you can.
What Golden Week means for you
During Golden Week, you may see:
- full trains on popular lines, especially on the first and last days of the run
- fully booked hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
- long queues at famous sights
- changed opening hours at some museums, shops and small businesses
The holidays are a good time to see local life. They are a hard time to find a bargain. Expect higher demand for everything.
Check the holiday dates
The exact days change each year, because the holidays fall on different weekdays. Check the official national holiday calendar from the Cabinet Office before you book. Look at the days before and after the holidays, because many people travel on those days too.
Check first: Check the national holiday calendar on the Cabinet Office site, then check the opening hours of each sight on its official page. Do this a few weeks before you travel, because hours can change for the holidays.
Book transport early
Book your long-distance train seats as soon as you fix your dates. Reserved seats on the Shinkansen can sell out in busy weeks. If your plan includes a day trip, book the return train too.
Local trains are less predictable. Plan extra time for each change, and avoid tight connections.
Choose your base
A base in one main city cuts down on travel. Tokyo has many areas, and Kyoto is small enough to walk in parts. A short trip to one nearby city can work well.
- For a family, choose a hotel with space for a meal and rest.
- For friends, choose a base on a line that reaches the nightlife districts.
- For a slower trip, stay in one city and take day trips.
Tokyo in Golden Week
Shibuya and Shinjuku are very busy in these days. Go early to the crossings and the department stores. Asakusa has a long main street, and it is calm early in the morning. Try the side streets around the temple to avoid the main crowds.
Kyoto in Golden Week
Kyoto's main temples are busy. Visit early in the day, and pick one area for each morning. The Gion and Higashiyama streets are lively but narrow. Walk slowly, and keep to the left side of the lane when you pass others.
Plan for families
Families need extra rest. Plan one indoor stop for each day, such as a museum, a covered market or a park with shade. Keep the schedule short. Children get tired in crowds, so leave a slow hour in the afternoon.
Carry a small bag with water, snacks and wipes. Shops are busy, and toilets can have long queues.
Plan for friends
Friends can enjoy the energy of the holidays. Book the popular food or bar areas early, because they fill fast. Pick one day for a quieter walk, so the trip does not feel rushed.
If your dates are flexible
If you can move your trip, look at the weeks just before or after the holiday run. The crowds are smaller, and many sights are still in full season. Check the holiday calendar first, so you know which days to avoid.
If your dates are fixed, choose one slow day in the middle of the trip. Use it for a walk, a long lunch or a visit to a museum. A slow day gives you rest when the crowds are at their height.
What to do next
Set your dates in the planner, then check the city pages for the areas you want to visit in Tokyo and Kyoto. Plan the transport before you book the hotel.
