Golden Week in Japan: What to Know Before You Go

You may have heard about Golden Week before if you’ve spent some time in Japan or have Japanese friends. However, this popular holiday week can be a tricky time to navigate for international travelers for a multitude of reasons. To save time and money and make the most of your Japan adventure, it’s best to learn a little bit about it.

What exactly is Golden Week? Golden Week, as its name alludes, is one of the biggest weeks in Japan. Generally considered a "national holiday" week, it's technically a cluster of singular national holiday days that run consecutively, making it an ideal time for many office workers in Japan to take time off.  

Typically running from late April into early May the four national holidays that make up Golden Week are Showa Day (Showa no hi), Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi), Greenery Day (Midori no hi), and Children's Day (Kodomo no hi).

For non-Japanese residents, these days need a little explanation, so here's a brief overview:

Showa Day happens on April 29. It's a celebration of Emperor Showa, who passed away in 1989; little fun fact, Greenery Day also used to be celebrated on this day but was moved along in the national calendar to its new position in 2006.

May 3 is Constitution Day. This marks the day when in 1947 Japan's postwar constitution was put into effect.

Greenery Day is May 4. This day is a celebration of nature and the environment and is held in honor of Emperor Showa. Technically it's a holiday because, in Japan, there's a law that states that any day which falls in between two national holidays should also be a national holiday.

May 5 is Children's Day, also known as "The Boys Festival" (The Girls Festival is held on May 3). It's a day when families pray for the success and health of their sons.

Depending on the year and where the dates sit on the calendar, many folks in Japan like to take off the following or preluding days to align with the weekends and round out a long week off.

While it's a popular time for people living in Japan to travel overseas, many people still like to celebrate Golden Week in Japan.

Like the Thanksgiving or Christmas breaks in other countries, as you may expect, travel, accommodation, and tickets to attractions are often booked out early in advance, and prices are at a premium.

Seasonally, however, Golden Week is a beautiful time in Japan. It's spring, but just after cherry blossom season, so the days are a little warmer, the sun shines a little longer and the air is thick with a laid-back ambiance that comes with national holiday weeks.

So if you're traveling on a budget, it's probably worth considering whether it's the best time to visit, and a week or so before or after would be a more advantageous time to travel.

If you realized you've already booked your flight tickets during this time, fear not! You'll still have an excellent time, just be sure to secure tickets to your must-see experiences and book accommodation as soon as possible.

If you're looking for some inspiration in terms of where to stay when you're in Japan, we've put together a few hand guides for reference. For those wanting to make the most of Tokyo's Disney Resorts, here are some of the best hotels nearby. We also have some handy tips for the best hotels near Tokyo Station, a guide on some of the city's most unique and cool accommodations, as well as some top pics for central neighborhoods like Shinjuku, and in Ginza.

One of the best Golden Week travel hacks is to stay in Tokyo. It might sound counterintuitive, but it makes sense when you think about it. Many of the city's office workers take advantage of this time off and use it as a chance to get out of the city, meaning that it frees up a little for guests.

Popular destinations for domestic travelers include Okinawa, Kagoshima, and Hokkaido. So best to save these spots for another time. Bullet trains (shinkansen) and domestic flights are typically at their most expensive around this time too, so if you can stay local, do so.

The nation's capital city, during Golden Week, hosts a whole range of free and diverse events for travelers of all backgrounds. The city's central Yoyogi Park is home to Tokyo Rainbow Pride, the city's biggest LGBT festival from April 28th to 29th. It's also home to The Cambodia Festival from May 3rd to 4th.

From April 14th to May 6th, Kameido Tenjin Shrine located in Tokyo's Koto Ward has the wisteria festival, which is the perfect time to see the city's rich purple wisteria trees in bloom.

The biggest and most traditionally important event in Tokyo during this time has to be the Meiji Shrine Spring Grand Festival. The event runs from April 27th to May 6th and hosts a variety of traditional performing arts presentations. Some of the most unique events are the yabusame (horseback archery), hogaku and hobu (classical Japanese dance), and the shrine's Shinto ritual ceremonies (main ceremony).

While we've given you a list of events to check out when you're in the city, there's so much more to see, do, explore, and enjoy between these days. Tokyo sometimes doesn't feel like a city but more like 1,000 cities in one. Each neighborhood has its own unique local cultures, styles, attractions, and reasons to visit. Exploring all of these during Golden Week is a great way to get a new perspective on it all. If you don't know where to start, here's a rundown of some of the city's best destinations.

Ginza

This neighborhood is best known for its luxury shops, stylish locals, upmarket dining establishments, and love of culture. But it also has a lot to offer for those looking for slightly more affordable adventures too. If you want to know the best things to do in Ginza, check out our guide here.

Akihabara

This is one for the geeks! It's a neighborhood abuzz with neon lights, streets soundtracked by the cacophony of video game voice actors, and hyper-speed J-pop music. It's home to a culture that celebrates the nation's biggest modern cultural exports, anime, and manga culture. Bookmark this page for a list of Akihabara tips.

Shinjuku

The unofficial heart of the city, Shinjuku is located in the business district and doesn't shy away from the nightlife, either. It's a place that allows you to experience the two extremes of Tokyo city living, from visiting iconic spots like Kabukichō, Godzilla Road, and Books Kinokuniya, to shopping according to your tastes (and budget) if you follow this guide.

Odaiba

If you want to feel like time traveling (into the future), head to Odaiba. Here you'll be struck by its futuristic design and ample open spaces. It's also a thriving destination for families, shoppers, and young couples. With a mix of new and established businesses and unique attractions like amusement parks, museums, and even androids, it's the perfect place to experience a taste of "sci-fi Tokyo". This guide will help you navigate it.

Asakusa

For a different pace, travel back in time with a day exploring Asakusa. Here you can marvel at the thousands-year-old temple of Senso-ji. Later, take a rickshaw ride to Kappabashi Street, where the city's best chefs shop, and along the way, discover the rich culture, world-class shopping, and plenty of excellent food. This guide is a good place to start planning how to do it best.