Visiting Japan During Golden Week 2024 • Everything You Need to Prepare for Japan’s Spring Break

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From the end of April to early May every year, Japan’s Golden Week vacation period is a unique time to visit the country, so we’ve got some tips and recommendations for enjoying Japan when it’s at its busiest.

Golden Week, Japan’s Spring Break



While spring break is a common enough time to enjoy a nice vacation all around the world, nowhere does it quite like Japan, where the holiday period called Golden Week turns the country upside down for a week in late spring. The term Golden Week actually refers to a collection of different holidays that clump together at the end of April and beginning of May every year – one of the rare periods every year when Japan's millions of busy office workers are given permission to actually take more than a day off work. This long vacation period, generally lasting about a week, is truly a golden opportunity for the majority of Japanese workers, allowing busy people to relax, recuperate, and most of all, to travel. With huge numbers of domestic travelers packing the shinkansen and filling up hotels all over Japan, it's a crazy time for foreign visitors to see the country, but there's no denying the sunny golden weather Japan generally enjoys during Golden Week! If you want to enjoy your Golden Week visit to Japan, just make sure you know what you're getting into, do a little extra prep, and be ready to enjoy Japan side by side with the locals!

Japan’s Golden Week 2024 Schedule



Image Source: Benesse / English added by Japankuru

Golden Week is a somewhat loose term for four public holidays in Japan, and since all of these holidays are determined by date and not day of the week, the actual length/configuration of the vacation period changes from year to year (and, to some extent, from person to person). Golden Week officially starts with Showa Day (honoring the birthday of the late Emperor Showa) on April 29th, and then goes on to include Constitution Memorial Day on May 3rd, Greenery Day (also, oddly, honoring the late Emperor Showa) on May 4th, and then finally Children's Day on May 5th. For Golden Week 2024, that means a three-day weekend plus another four-day weekend with three days of work/school in between. On years when the holidays line up like this, plenty of people take what they can get and enjoy the long weekends, but just as many people take advantage of the timing, use three days of paid leave (more generous workplaces/schools might even give everyone those days off), and take one long, luxurious spring vacation. This year Golden Week offers people around Japan a maximum of ten days of vacation, so it's no surprise that so many locals use the time for travel!





None of the four holidays that make up Golden Week are really big enough to inspire major celebrations, but there are a couple that you can enjoy during your trip! Children's Day is the most widely-celebrated holiday of the bunch, and the most obvious representation can be seen in the colorful strings of carp-shaped koinobori (鯉のぼり) streamers which are hung up all over the place in the period around Children's Day.

▶︎ Learn more about Children's Day here!

Travelers can also get in on Japan's Greenery Day celebrations! This holiday was created in honor of Emperor Showa's love of gardens and other green spaces, and when the weather cooperates, it's a great time of year to visit Japan's many parks and gardens. Join the crowds picnicking and lounging in the sun at the vast Yoyogi Park, or visit one of a handful of different municipal facilities that offer free entry on Greenery Day, like Koishikawa Botanical Garden, Hamarikyu Gardens, or even Ueno Zoo!



▶︎ Don't get confused when planning your Golden Week trip to Japan – Golden Week isn't just a translation of Japan's official name for the vacation days… Japan literally uses the English phrase "Golden Week" to refer to this spring holiday period. You'll also see plenty of places abbreviate the term and talk about "GW" instead.



What Is Japan Really Like During Golden Week?



Japan has three major holiday periods throughout the year: New Year's, Golden Week, and Bon Festival. Two out of the three (New Year's and Bon) are generally thought of as times when people "go home" and spend time with their families in their hometowns for important traditional holidays, which leaves Golden Week as the go-to vacation time for anyone looking to get away from it all and get some traveling done. Of course, with everyone traveling all at once, Japan gets pretty crazy, from the sightseeing spots to the roads and public transportation.

If you're planning to visit Japan any time from the end of April through early May, just know that everywhere you go will probably be a little busier than you'd expect. This is NOT the time for last-minute trips to Japan. Hotel rooms in popular tourist spots sell out months in advance, trains fill up and the shinkansen temporarily stops offering unreserved seats, and car rentals can be hard to get ahold of (the highways are packed anyway)! Even if you think you're planning a trip to a quiet little town, if your destination has any kind of reputation as a sightseeing destination, don't expect it to be so quaint and quiet during Golden Week. If you can enjoy the atmosphere and have fun as part of the crowd of domestic travelers, it's an interesting time to see Japan, but probably not the most convenient!

Our Favorite Tools for Enjoying Golden Week Travel

Golden Week is a wild time to visit Japan, but with a little bit of forethought and preparation, you can gather all the tools you might need to take care of yourself during this busy season, and make sure the trip is fun and not exhausting. These are a few of the products we like to make sure we have on hand before heading out for a Golden Week trip!

Medicine Cabinet Staples

What's worse than getting sick on vacation? It's a pretty frustrating situation, but sometimes it can't be helped, so all you can do is damage control! If you didn't bring any of your go-to medicines with you to Japan, you can of course get basic over-the-counter meds at any drugstore! There's often a pharmacist (or at least a member of staff) who can help you find what you need, but these are a few popular options.



For basic pain relief, Ringl is a Japanese brand of ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin), so it works great on headaches, period cramps, sore throats, and other aches and pains. Definitely a good one to keep on hand!



Sightseers in Japan often talk about how they walk more every single day they're here than they ever have back home. Travelers in Japan do a lot of walking. So when the fatigue starts to build up and you feel like you can't quite keep it up anymore, it might be time to turn to some of Japan's unique "health tonics." This series of products from Yunkel is said to restore vitality! You'll certainly feel something after downing the uniquely flavored tonics.



Japan is known for being impeccably clean, so your chances of getting food poisoning are low, but that doesn't mean your stomach won't get upset at the change in schedule and diet, especially if you're gorging on rich bowls of ramen all day long. One of Japan's go-to brands for digestive medicines and antacids is Ohta-Isan, and one or another of their products will probably leave your stomach feeling a little less miserable.

Sun Protection



Whether you call it late spring or early summer, Golden Week generally marks the start of Japan's hot, sunny season, so you'll want to make sure you're well prepared to keep your skin protected even when spending time outdoors, so you can concentrate on having fun instead. Japan has a reputation for making some of the best sunscreens in the world, so it makes sense to pick some up while you're here! Canmake's Mermaid Skin UV Gel glides onto the skin and leaves a smooth, non-sticky finish, good on the face and the body. They also make slightly tinted versions, to even out different skin tones.

Your Beverage of Choice



The height of Japan's summer heat doesn't come until much later in the year, but with all the hustle and bustle going on during Golden Week, it can be easy to forget one of the most important tips for enjoying any kind of travel: stay hydrated. Between the abundant vending machines and convenience stores, there are plenty of places to pick up whatever beverage you choose, but Japan's ready-made coffee drinks are our favorite option for early travel mornings and breezy Golden Week picnics alike. Mt. Rainier is one of the most popular brands, and they've been offering a wider range of flavors (like oat and soy milk) in recent years too.

Stay hydrated, keep caffeinated, and don't forget all your other travel necessities – Golden Week in Japan is one wild ride, but the warm spring weather is calling your name!

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!

Stories from Japankuru's Taiwanese staff.

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    • HOKKAIDO

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      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

    • SAPPORO

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      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

    • FUKUSHIMA

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      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

    • YAMAGATA

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      Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.

    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

    • TOCHIGI

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      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

    • NIIGATA

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

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      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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