Golden Week in Japan: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving (and Thriving) During Japan’s Craziest Holiday

Ah, Golden Week—Japan’s beloved, chaotic, and absolutely bonkers string of holidays that has the entire nation collectively saying, “I need a vacation from my vacation.” If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a whole country tries to go on holiday at the exact same time, buckle up. We’re about to dive into the whirlwind that is Golden Week.

What is Golden Week? (And Why is Everyone Freaking Out?)

Golden Week, or ゴールデンウィーク, is a series of national holidays in Japan that all happen within a one-week period at the end of April and the beginning of May. And when I say “national holidays,” I mean a full-blown, countrywide vacation-palooza where millions of people hit the roads, skies, and seas like they’re reenacting a scene from Mad Max—except with polite bowing and impeccable train queues.

The holidays making up this legendary week include:

April 29 – Shōwa Day (昭和の日): Celebrating the birthday of Emperor Shōwa. Aka, an excuse to kick off the holiday season early.
May 3 – Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日): A day to reflect on Japan’s post-war constitution (or, for most, a day off to eat too much sushi).
May 4 – Greenery Day (みどりの日): Celebrating nature and all things green, which means parks are packed and Mount Fuji looks like a theme park ride line.
May 5 – Children’s Day (こどもの日): A day to honor kids and pray for their future. You’ll spot those iconic koinobori (carp streamers) flapping in the wind like they’re auditioning for a J-pop music video.

If any of these holidays fall on a Sunday, Japan has a “Happy Monday” rule where they push the holiday to Monday. Because why suffer from a case of the Mondays when you can rejoice in one?

The Great Escape: Travel During Golden Week (aka, A Test of Your Patience)

Let’s get one thing straight—if you thought booking flights during Christmas or Thanksgiving was bad, Golden Week says, “Hold my sake.”

Things to Expect:

Train stations bursting at the seams: Even reserved seats on the Shinkansen are harder to get than front-row BTS concert tickets.
Highway traffic that moves slower than a sumo wrestler in a three-piece suit: The real Golden Week experience includes spending three hours in traffic just to go 10 kilometers.
Airfare prices skyrocketing: If you haven’t booked months in advance, expect prices that will make your wallet cry in Japanese. (“Otsukaresama desu,” says your bank account.)
Hotels at full capacity: Good luck finding a place to stay. Even capsule hotels start looking luxurious after you realize everything else is fully booked.

Pro Tips for Surviving Golden Week Travel:

Book way, WAY in advance: Like, as soon as you read this, start booking.
Consider alternative destinations: Instead of Tokyo Disneyland (which will be packed), why not visit a less famous but equally cool spot like Tottori’s sand dunes?
Stay put and explore your local area: Avoid the chaos, grab a matcha latte, and enjoy a crowd-free Golden Week like a boss.

How the Japanese Spend Golden Week (Besides Sitting in Traffic)

Not everyone flees to Kyoto or Hokkaido. Many Japanese people opt for more low-key but still fun activities, such as:

Shopping Sprees: Stores run Golden Week sales, meaning you can snag a new kimono or anime merch at a sweet discount. (Your wallet: “Why are you like this?”)
BBQ & Picnics in Parks: Families and friends take to parks like Ueno and Yoyogi for epic BBQ feasts. Expect kids running around, dogs looking hopeful for scraps, and salarymen finally unwinding with beer in hand.
Manga & Anime Binge Sessions: Some stay home and finally catch up on their backlog of One Piece episodes. (Because, let’s be honest, Golden Week isn’t long enough to finish One Piece.)
Visiting Relatives: Just like Christmas back home, Golden Week is prime time for polite small talk with relatives you see once a year.

The Smart Way to Enjoy Golden Week (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you’re in Japan during Golden Week and don’t want to end up stuck in a sea of humans, follow these survival hacks:

1. Hit Up Unpopular Attractions

While everyone is fighting for space at Tokyo Tower, check out a quiet hidden gem. Some ideas:

The Rabbit Island in Hiroshima (Okunoshima), because bunnies > crowds.
Gunkanjima, the abandoned island that looks like a real-life post-apocalyptic movie set.
Any random countryside town where you’ll get to experience Japan’s beauty without bumping into 10,000 people.

2. Stock Up on Snacks and Stay Home

Golden Week is the perfect time to be a hermit. Grab some ramen, mochi, and melon soda, then binge-watch J-dramas from the comfort of your futon.

3. Go Early or Go Late

Want to visit popular places like Kyoto? Try going right before or right after Golden Week. You’ll get the same cherry blossoms and shrines—minus the human traffic jam.

Golden Week: Love It or Hate It, It’s a Wild Ride

At the end of the day, Golden Week is a rollercoaster. It’s crowded, expensive, and slightly chaotic—but it’s also a uniquely Japanese experience you won’t forget. Whether you choose to brave the crowds or chill at home with a good book and a bowl of matcha ice cream, just remember:

Golden Week is what you make of it.

So, are you ready to dive into Japan’s craziest holiday? Or are you planning to barricade yourself inside with snacks? Either way, let me know your Golden Week survival strategy in the comments!

(Or just send good vibes—I’ll need them when I’m stuck in a three-hour train queue at Tokyo Station.)