Golden Week (Gōruden Wīku) is Japan’s biggest holiday period of the year — a cluster of four national holidays in late April and early May. For foreigners living in Japan, it’s important to know what to expect.
When Is Golden Week 2025?
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| April 29 | Showa Day (昭和の日) |
| May 3 | Constitution Day (憲法記念日) |
| May 4 | Greenery Day (みどりの日) |
| May 5 | Children’s Day (こどもの日) |
With weekends included, most people get 7–10 consecutive days off. Many companies give additional discretionary holidays to bridge the gaps.
2025 Golden Week: April 26 (Sat) — May 6 (Tue). The May 6 date is a substitute holiday since May 3–5 fall on weekdays.
What Happens During Golden Week
Everything Gets Crowded
Golden Week is when tens of millions of Japanese people travel simultaneously. Expect:
- Trains and shinkansen — fully booked weeks in advance
- Hotels — prices double or triple, availability is scarce
- Popular tourist spots — Kyoto, Tokyo theme parks, major shrines — extremely crowded
- Airports — long lines, book early
If you’re planning domestic or international travel, book 4–8 weeks in advance.
What’s Open and Closed
Open during Golden Week:
- Convenience stores (24/7 as always)
- Restaurants (most are open, often busier)
- Department stores and shopping malls
- Tourist attractions
Closed or limited hours:
- Government offices (city hall, immigration — usually closed May 3–5)
- Banks (closed on national holidays)
- Some smaller local businesses
- Postal services may be limited
Note: If you need official documents (residence registration, My Number, etc.), plan around Golden Week.
Golden Week Prices
Everything gets more expensive:
| Category | Increase |
|---|---|
| Domestic flights | 50–200% higher |
| Shinkansen | Fully booked; surcharge on some trains |
| Hotels in tourist areas | 2–3x normal rate |
| Theme park entry | Sometimes surcharges apply |
If you want to travel and save money, go earlier or later. Travel the week before (mid-April) or the week after (mid-May) for normal prices and far fewer crowds.
If You’re Staying in Tokyo
Golden Week can actually be a good time to explore local Tokyo while everyone else travels:
- Business districts (Marunouchi, Shinjuku) are quieter than usual
- Some parks and local festivals are enjoyable
- Restaurants are open but city-center spots are less busy than normal
- Asakusa and tourist spots in Tokyo will still be very crowded
Other Major Japanese Holiday Periods
| Period | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Week | Late April–Early May | Busiest travel period |
| Obon | August 13–16 | Many return to hometowns |
| New Year (Oshōgatsu) | Dec 29–Jan 3 | Second busiest period |
| Silver Week | Mid-September | Occasional, when holidays align |
For New Residents: Practical Notes
- Apply for anything official (My Number, residence changes) before or after the holiday period
- Stock up on cash or groceries if your local shops are unusual — convenience stores are always open
- If your workplace is closed for the full Golden Week, enjoy the break
- If you want to travel Japan during this time, plan and book very early
Bottom Line
Golden Week = Japan at maximum capacity. If you want to travel, book weeks in advance and expect crowds and high prices. If you stay in the city, enjoy the quieter business districts and use the time to explore locally. Avoid needing government services during May 3–5.