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What is Golden Week?
Golden Week is essentially a week-long holiday across Japan. This is because it coincides with a series of national events. While many students in Japan eagerly anticipate this break, many workers don't feel the same way. For them, it's simply a time to escape long workdays and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Time
Golden Week typically takes place from the end of April (April 29th) until the first week of May (around the 5th or 6th). Events during this week include: Showa Day (April 29th) – the birthday of former Emperor Showa Hirohito; Constitution Memorial Day (May 3rd); Greenery Day (May 4th) – a day dedicated to appreciating nature and its importance; and Children's Day (May 5th) – a time for families to pray for and celebrate the happiness of their children (also known as Japanese Children's Day).
Always make a reservation.
For many, Golden Week is nothing short of a travel rush, as it's the only time workers can leave the city for personal vacations. If you're a last-minute traveler deciding to visit Japan, Golden Week isn't a good idea. Many hotels, flights, and most importantly, Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets are already booked. But if you still want to plan a trip to Japan during this time, make sure you secure Shinkansen tickets to specific destinations within the country for your itinerary.
Budget awareness
These discount ticket shops are located northwest of Shinjuku Station.
Like anywhere else in the world, peak holiday season always means "peak" prices, and Golden Week is no exception! International flights, train tickets, and hotel prices are all higher than usual. However, also check out Tokyo's discount ticket shops, which sometimes offer cheaper train tickets and discounted fares at other attractions nationwide. In Tokyo, you can find these discount ticket shops lined up northwest of Shinjuku Station.
plan accordingly
If you've carefully planned your accommodation and transportation, and are only staying for a short time, then you can rest assured you'll likely avoid any further problems during Golden Week. However, if you plan to extend your stay in Japan or are already living here, be aware that most offices are closed at this time of year. While shops and restaurants remain open as usual, government buildings, banks, and other administrative offices are closed. Therefore, you need to prepare all your paperwork thoroughly, avoiding last-minute rushes and minimizing potential inconveniences.
densely populated areas
Some tourist destinations are always crowded during the festival period, such as Kyoto. It's also worth noting that people often flock to areas famous for cherry blossoms, such as Sapporo and Aomori.
Resting place
Surprisingly, one of the best places to avoid the crowds during Golden Week is actually within the city! As Tokyo residents begin to move to other areas, the city gets quite empty. This makes for a great time to visit the city's highlights and discover new places. If you're in Tokyo, visit the Shitamachi district – also known as the Old World center, similar to Yanaka, Kita-Senju, and Nezu – with its independent small shops and restaurants weathered by time. Combined with the sparse crowds, visiting this area will give you a sense of immersion, a little respite from the hustle and bustle of Golden Week.
