If you're planning a trip to Japan in 2025, figuring out how to dodge "Japan's Golden Week" is absolutely a key part of planning your itinerary! During Japanese holidays, the whole country turns lively, and when a long holiday stretch hits, crowds surge to their peak, with major attractions packed to the point of madness. As a travel-loving, always-fashionable woman, my biggest fear is battling crowds and endless lines ruining my elegant style — so to keep your elegance intact, let me crack the "survival rules" for travelling during Japan's Golden Week!

What exactly is Japan's Golden Week?

Japan's Golden Week, also called "Ōgon Shūkan" in Japanese, refers to an 8-day holiday stretch running from Showa Day on April 29 through the observed holiday for Children's Day on May 6. During this period, you'll see the entire country flooding airports, train stations, hotels, and attractions — practically a nationwide exodus. Festivals and events pop up everywhere, but flight and hotel prices "take off" right alongside them, so if you're planning to go, book early, move fast, and brace yourself!

Golden Week is made up of these four holidays:
Showa Day (4/29): commemorating Emperor Showa, marking his birthday.

Constitution Memorial Day (5/3): commemorating the enactment of Japan's Constitution in 1947, also symbolizing democracy.

Greenery Day (5/4): honoring Emperor Hirohito's deep love of nature, this day is dedicated to appreciating nature's gifts and promoting environmental awareness across Japan.

Children's Day / Tango no Sekku (5/5): praying for children's health and safe growth, while also giving thanks to mothers — this is when koinobori (carp streamers) are hung and kashiwa mochi rice cakes are eaten.

Overview of 2025 Japanese holidays and long weekends

Besides Golden Week, keep an eye on these other Japanese holidays in 2025:

  • Obon: 2025/8/11–8/17, Japan's peak homecoming period and a nightmare for booking tickets — even the aisles of the Shinkansen fill up with seated passengers. Traveling during this window is SSS-tier difficulty.
  • Marine Day long weekend: 2025/7/19–7/21, student summer break plus a long weekend for office workers = lines everywhere you go.
  • New Year's holiday: 2025/12/31–2026/1/4, want to watch New Year's fireworks? Prepare to be surrounded by crowds — plus many attractions and historic sites close during this period, and many shops don't open either, while the restaurants, guesthouses, and hotels that do stay open charge well above their usual prices.

Where should you avoid during Golden Week?

These spots are best avoided during Golden Week unless you're up for the challenge!

  • Tokyo Disneyland: more people than Mickey himself — even the popcorn stand has an hour-long line.
  • Universal Studios Japan, Osaka: buying tickets, getting in, and riding attractions all demand the patience of a true hero.
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto: crowds denser than the maple leaves — forget selfies without photoshop, since all you'll capture is someone else's selfie stick.

Recommended Golden Week itineraries

  • Okinawa: swimming, diving, escaping the crowds in the sun and sand, and even catching the Naha Dragon Boat Race.
  • Hokkaido: early May marks the tail end of cherry blossom season, plus enjoy some crab and hot springs — so soothing!
  • Hirosaki Park, Tohoku: shoot photos in the cherry blossom tunnel until your phone dies — a dreamy Japanese aesthetic! Plus adorable food stalls await.
  • Hamamatsu Kite Festival, Shizuoka: immerse yourself in Japanese festival vibes and shop till your luggage is overweight.
  • Hakone Onsen: soak in a hot spring while admiring the scenery, refreshing your mind instantly and forgetting the city's crowds — a secluded, healing getaway away from Golden Week's chaos.

A leave-taking trick for Taiwanese travellers

Want to explore Japan gracefully while avoiding the crowds? These dates let you go whenever you please:

  • Lunar New Year (1/25–2/2): Japan doesn't observe the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, so it's 100% comfortable for travel!
  • 228 long weekend (2/28–3/2): Japan has just wrapped up its own holidays, leaving scenic spots pleasantly quiet.
  • Qingming long weekend (4/3–4/6): the blossoms are at their peak, but the "Golden Week army" hasn't arrived yet, saving you far more than a Golden Week trip.

A survival guide for traveling to Japan during Golden Week

  • Book flights, hotels, and onsens 3-4 months in advance, or you'll be left with nothing but sky-high prices.
  • Choose rural areas or small towns like Mount Takao, Okutama, or Karuizawa, all quieter than the cities.
  • Rely on the JR Shinkansen or trains to get around — avoid driving yourself, or you'll get stuck in traffic on the roads and highways.

Non-reserved seats on JR or limited express trains get extremely crowded — for a comfortable seat, buy a reserved-seat ticket, ideally more than a month in advance. Check JR's seat availability page for details.

Golden Week gives you a rare taste of Japan's holiday atmosphere

Japan's Golden Week is bound to be crowded, and while it's a challenge, it's also full of fun! As long as you plan ahead, you can still enjoy it gracefully and happily. Put on your most stylish OOTD, grab your camera, and let's conquer Japan together!