If you’re new to Japan, you might be questioning what and when Golden Week is, one thing that you’re most likely listening to fairly usually. It’s an annual lengthy vacation week from late April by means of early Might, which consists of nationwide holidays corresponding to Structure Day and Kids’s Day. It is usually generally shortened to GW, which will be simply present in guidebooks or journey magazines about Japan. In contrast to many western nations, in Japan, individuals hardly ever have an extended trip. For that reason, many individuals need to benefit from this chance to journey across the nation. Listed here are some tips about the way to journey effectively in Japan throughout Golden Week!
Throughout Golden Week, in style lodging and excursions are likely to get totally booked rapidly. In case you don’t need to miss out, make certain to e-book your spot forward of time!
▶E-book the very best excursions at Japan Marvel Journey!
When is Golden Week in 2025?
Golden Week in 2025 will happen from April 29 (Tuesday) to Might 6 (Tuesday) in Japan. It consists of a number of nationwide holidays:
Because the climate is often fairly good throughout this time of yr, it’s thought of to be top-of-the-line occasions to journey in Japan. If you wish to go to pure wonders and revel in outside actions, GW is the right time to take action!
Golden week 2026
In 2026, Golden Week is on April twenty ninth (Wednesday) till Might fifth(Tuesday).
What Holidays Make Up Golden Week?
Showa Day (April twenty ninth)
Showa Day is a day that honors the birthday of the late Emperor Hirohito, who was the Japanese emperor in the course of the Showa interval. There isn’t any explicit occasion that’s held on this present day however is taken into account as a day to look again on the great previous days of the Showa interval.
Structure Memorial Day (Might third)
At the present time celebrates the day that the Structure of Japan was enacted in 1947. The week between Might 1st to seventh is named Structure Memorial Week and there are various alternatives to check and study the which means and roles of the Structure throughout this time. The Nationwide Weight loss program Constructing in-built 1936 is a ravishing piece of structure with a mixture of Western and trendy Japanese types. You’ll be able to go to the constructing and there’s a tour accessible the place you possibly can see inside the constructing!
Greenery Day (Might 4th)
Greenery Day is a day to understand nature. It was once on April twenty ninth in reminiscence of the dying of the Emperor of the Showa interval, however together with the change of the regulation concerning the Japanese nationwide holidays, the day and title have been modified to Greenery Day on Might 4th from 2005. The Emperor of Showa was well-versed within the significance of greenery and the setting, and in reminiscence of him, this present day nonetheless has a deep connection to the emperor.
Kids’s Day (Might fifth)
Kids’s Day is a celebration within the hope and honor of youngsters’s well being and happiness. There are enjoyable traditions which are nonetheless carried out at this time. If in case you have the time, we suggest that you just on the very least attempt some Kashiwamochi and Chimaki that are particular wagashi, or Japanese sweets, for Kids’s Day. If you wish to study extra about Kids’s Day and the way to have fun the day, take a look at our article under!
Substitute Vacation (Might sixth)
Since Greenery Day falls on a Sunday this yr, the next weekday (Might 6) turns into a vacation. Many individuals take paid depart from April thirtieth till Might 2nd to create an prolonged vacation from April 26 (Saturday) to Might 6 (Tuesday), to make it an 11-day break.
Issues To Do Throughout Golden Week 2025
Go to EXPO 2025 in Osaka
In case you’re touring to Japan throughout Golden Week 2025, don’t miss the possibility to go to EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan! This long-awaited worldwide exposition can be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025, on Yumeshima Island in Osaka. With futuristic expertise showcases, world pavilions, and revolutionary cultural experiences from all over the world, it’s one of many largest occasions occurring in Japan this yr. Golden Week is anticipated to be particularly vigorous, so make certain to e-book your tickets and lodging early!
Entry: It’s a couple of 30-minute prepare journey from Osaka Station to Yumeshima by way of Cosmosquare Station and the shuttle bus.
For extra particulars about must-see pavilions, ticket info, and really helpful lodges close to the venue, try our full information right here:

Osaka World Expo 2025: The Final Information
Do not miss the Osaka World Expo 2025! Uncover the theme, key points of interest, ticket info, and the way to get there in our final information to this world occasion.
Go to Festivals

A great deal of enjoyable spring festivals are held in Japan. There are even festivals all through the nation which are particularly for one of many Golden Week holidays, the beforehand talked about Kids’s Day. Koinobori festivals are held all through Japan from April to Might the place you possibly can see a whole lot of gorgeous carp streamers flying within the wind!
There are additionally different enjoyable conventional spring festivals you could partake in. Spring is a time when the climate is getting hotter and flowers begin to bloom nationwide. It is a nice time to benefit from this good climate and do one thing outdoors. By the tip of April to early Might, many of the sakura have already come and gone, however different lovely flowers are simply beginning to present their faces. There are some wonderful flower parks in addition to flower festivals that solely go on from April to Might!
Take a look at these festivals in 2025:
In Japan, it’s fairly in style to put on kimono or yukata (Japanese conventional clothes) for festivals. You’ll be able to simply attempt it on and discover the town for a day at kimono rental retailers.
Since we’ve got a number of retailers in Japan, you possibly can select the very best spots the place you wish to discover in kimono!
▶Take a look at the Kimono Rental Retailers
Go to Tokyo

As Golden Week is a time when individuals from greater cities are likely to take a trip to extra off-the-beaten-path locations, it may be the right time to go to locations like Tokyo! Chances are you’ll discover that there are fewer individuals within the capital than regular, and subsequently issues like museums, eating places, and different points of interest can be much less busy and crowded.
Visiting Tsukiji Fish Market is kind of a well-liked exercise throughout Golden Week. In case you occur to be in Tokyo, let’s discover and uncover the colourful flavors of this bustling market at Tsukiji Meals and Drink Excursions!
▶E-book Meals and Drink Tsukiji Fish Market Tour
How To Journey Effectively in Japan Throughout The Lengthy Holidays
GW is understood to be a really busy time to journey. Due to this fact it’s greatest to plan your journey beforehand in order that all the pieces goes easily.
1. Determine the place to go to in Japan


It’s not solely the favored vacationer points of interest, however there are such a lot of extra nice locations to discover in Japan. While you select your vacation spot, we suggest visiting some hidden locations. To benefit from the sunny and early spring climate, it may be enjoyable to attempt glamping close to Tokyo or outside actions round Mt.Fuji. It’s additionally a good time to get pleasure from biking and mountain climbing! Greater crowds of individuals can be within the extra in style areas corresponding to Kyoto and Osaka, so attempt to keep away from the busy locations particularly in the course of the pandemic.
2. E-book your transportation

There are a number of various kinds of transportation in Japan, and in the event you plan to journey an extended distance by airplane, shinkansen, or bus, we suggest that you just e-book your transportation beforehand ―there’s a chance that you just may discover the seats full in the event you attempt to purchase tickets the day of your journey!
If you’re a global traveler, get a JR Move. These 5-day passes help you journey across the space by shinkansen, different JR trains, and JR busses. Not solely does it make it simpler to journey across the space, however it additionally saves you money and time!
3. E-book your lodging


When you have got chosen your locations and booked your transportation, the following step can be reserving your lodging. Fashionable choices for lodging in Japan are conventional inns referred to as ryokan in addition to lodges. Ryokan usually has an onsen(scorching spring tub), and you’ll get pleasure from a kaiseki meal within the night, and sleep in a conventional Japanese model mattress referred to as futon at evening.
Apart from ryokan or lodges, Airbnb and B&B’s also needs to be accessible relying on the realm you might be staying in. It’s also possible to discover fashionable hostels throughout Japan with cozy cafes and bars for an reasonably priced value.
Beneficial Lodging in Tokyo
- Keio Plaza Lodge Tokyo in Shinjuku
- Airport Limousine Buses to and from Haneda/Narita Airport, in addition to a shuttle bus to Disney Resort, can be found.
- Shibuya Excel Lodge Tokyu in Shibuya
- Instantly related to Shibuya Station. Excellent base for getting across the metropolis!
- Imperial Lodge Tokyo in Hibiya
- One of many three nice lodges of Japan. A historic luxurious lodge identified for its lengthy historical past and iconic structure. Go to right here for Japanese “Omotenashi”!
There’s a good cause for reserving issues early on. Locations usually supply a reduced value and numerous the wanted accomodations are likely to promote out pretty fast.
4. E-book your excursions and expertise
Lastly, make sure to e-book your excursions early to keep away from disappointment! Many in style points of interest and excursions can promote out rapidly throughout this busy vacation interval, so it’s a good suggestion to make your reservations as quickly as potential. Japan Marvel Journey affords a wide range of excursions and experiences all through Japan, together with guided excursions of Tokyo, Kyoto, and different main cities in addition to scrumptious Meals and Drink excursions. To e-book your tour with Japan Marvel Journey, merely go to our web site and choose your most well-liked tour and date. Don’t miss out on this thrilling time to go to Japan!

▶Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Personal Strolling Tour (8 Hours)
There’s no higher technique to discover an space than taking a tour with a educated native information. You should have the possibility to study in regards to the historical past and attention-grabbing background tales of Tokyo, in addition to uncover some hidden gems which will be arduous to do with out a information.

▶Kyoto Personal Full Day Strolling Tour
On this full-day personal tour of Kyoto, it is possible for you to to see the highlights of Kyoto in simply sooner or later and on the identical time develop a deeper understanding of each the tradition of the realm and Japan as an entire.


Kimono Rental is Out there at Fashionable Vacationer Points of interest in Japan!
Uncover Japan with a conventional Kimono from Kimono Rental Wargo! Discover cities or be a part of festivals effortlessly ranging from simply ¥3,300. Our retailers are conveniently positioned in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kawagoe, and Kanazawa. Elevate your adventures with the class of the kimono and create unforgettable recollections in Japan!
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Pleased touring!
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The Greatest locations throughout Golden Week
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