Know Before You Go: Visiting Japan During Golden Week

Every year from April 29–May 5, Japan celebrates Golden Week, a cluster of four public holidays over the course of one week. Golden Week events include:

• Showa Day (April 29) commemorates the birthday of Emperor Showa, who served the country from 1926 to 1989.
• Constitution Memorial Day (May 3) marks the ratification of the Japanese Constitution after World War II.
• Greenery Day (May 4) is a celebration of all things nature.
• Children's Day (May 5) highlights a day for the nation's young population.

This quick succession of days off, coincidentally during some of Japan's best weather, prompts many residents to take the entire week off for their own spring vacation.

Golden Week events and attractions are celebrated in different ways, but the best part is that there is something fun happening no matter where you are in Japan. For instance, on Greenery Day, many people visit the nation's parks (and visit the cherry blossoms, if they're in bloom). Leading up to Children's Day, you'll see flying koinobori (carp streamers) in various locales, but for one of the best displays, head to the must-visit Tokyo Tower to witness 333 flying carp in all their glory.

Fukuoka, a city on the northern shore of Kyushu Island and known for its ancient temples, hosts a 2-day Hakata Dontaku festival featuring dancers and a parade of revelers wearing traditional costumes. Other popular activities include visits to Kyoto's temples; Hiroshima and Peace Memorial Park: serene gardens like Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu and Kenrokuen in Kanazawa; UNESCO-listed Nikko National Park; visits to Mt. Fuji; and Tokyo Disneyland®.

With so many people on the move, you may find that transportation (particularly long-distance shinkansen "bullet” trains) may be fully booked far in advance. Make the best of your Japanese vacation by making all your reservations as soon as possible and, if you can afford to, pay extra to guarantee seats.

Note: Golden Week is not the best time for spontaneous travel. Also, be aware that some businesses may close to observe the week-long holiday, so if you have your heart set on a particular retail shop or restaurant, research in advance to find out when they'll be open.

Insider tip: For travel during Golden Week, try to move around the country during the weekdays between the holidays.

You need to book your travel and accommodations in advance and book any ticketed attractions as far ahead as possible. Japan has a population of more than 123 million people, and it can feel like almost everyone is traveling during Golden Week, taking advantage of a rare stretch of holiday time. If you plan to visit Japan's biggest tourist attractions—such as the temples of Kyoto and famed cherry blossom spots—expect to find many other travelers doing the same.

As with anywhere else in the world, and similar to travel surges during Thanksgiving and Christmas, finding Golden Week travel deals are few and far between. Peak season means higher prices. However, if you make early reservations, you may be able to find some deals (or at least have more time to plan for the financial hit), but you should expect that many hotels and flights may be more expensive during Golden Week. If you plan to travel between cities, consider purchasing a Japan Rail Pass, which offers unlimited travel on JR trains, including Shinkansen, to help save money on transportation costs.

To avoid the biggest crowds at major attractions, visit early in the morning or later in the evening. Finally, always opt for skip-the-line tickets if you're able.

Despite the potential for crowds and added expense that comes with visiting Japan during Golden Week, there are some advantages. Because many residents flee the cities, one of the best Golden Week travel hacks is to explore Tokyo's most popular attractions with smaller crowds. Think: a more serene experience at one of Toyko’s oldest temples, Senso-ji, and shorter lines for one of the world’s tallest buildings, Tokyo Skytree.

• Are things closed in Japan during Golden Week? Not all businesses will close during Golden Week (shops in popular areas most likely will remain open) but many companies do give time off throughout Golden Week. If you have your heart set on visiting a particular place, check out the website or try to confirm their hours ahead of time.

• Is Kyoto crowded during Golden Week? Yes, you can expect Kyoto to be crowded during Golden Week as it's a popular tourist destination as well as popular with locals. With that said, if you do plan to visit Kyoto and its popular attractions such as the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, try to plan your visit during the week, first thing in the mornings, or just before the attraction closes.

• Does Golden Week take place at the same time every year? Traditionally, Golden Week takes place from April 29th to May 5th, although the dates may vary slightly if the holidays fall on a weekend, resulting in additional days off.