Cherry blossoms are only blooming in Hokkaido at this point, but as early as Tokyo, the season of fresh greenery has arrived, and the city is very dazzlingly green. In Japan, there is a period from late April to early May during which national holidays are concentrated, known as the Golden Week. The pattern of consecutive holidays varies yearly, but just taking a few days off work during this period can result in a holiday streak of 10 days or more. It is a very valuable large-scale holiday in Japan, where it is difficult to take long vacations. This year, a maximum of 11 consecutive holidays from April 26 (Saturday) to May 6 (Tuesday) is possible. For us Japanese, we are very grateful for this long holiday, but from the other side of the coin, this is also the time of year when the weather improves and Japanese people make large migrations. For visitors to Japan, knowing the characteristics of the holidays will make their trip more pleasant and easy. We hope this week's article will help you.

I posted on the trends and countermeasures two years ago during this holiday period, just after the pandemic. In the past two years, Japanese people have been actively traveling without any worries about the new coronavirus as if it were a distant past. No matter how many places you see in guidebooks, if you decide where to visit based on the same viewpoints as Japanese people, you will be swallowed up by the waves of people everywhere you go and report.

The origin of Golden Week

There are various theories, but the most popular is that it was called Golden Week in 1951 when a major movie company produced a hit movie during this period. This overturned the established theory that movies were only successful during the New Year and Obon holidays. Because of the semi-promotional aspect of the name, it is often referred to as the "spring holiday" these days.

Holidays on this year's Golden Week

Let's look at the actual holidays during this period this year.

• May 3 (Constitution Memorial Day)

• May 4 (Greenery Day)

• May 5 (Children's Day)

• May 6 (substitute holiday)

With Saturday and Sunday added to the above, this year, if you take four days off from work, you will have 11 consecutive holidays. Many people go on overseas trips during this period.

Weather Factors

Weather is also a significant factor. This year's consecutive holidays are expected to be generally fine and warm. If so, Asakusa and Shibuya in Tokyo and the Expo site in Osaka are expected to draw substantial crowds.

Expressways

Expressways will be the most affected area during the holidays. This year, traffic congestion is expected to exceed 40 km on May 3 near the Sagami Lake Interchange off the Chuo Expressway and at the Hanyu PA on the Tohoku Expressway. However, even if you take the same route, you can travel more comfortably if you remove the congestion time zone. You can check out more details of the congestion forecast here.

The ETC fare usually includes a weekend discount, but the discount will not be available during Golden Week.

The first countermeasure is to shift your travel time from the expected congestion time. Departing late at night or early in the morning lowers the risk of congestion.

Traveling to Mt Fuji Area

Traffic congestion will affect bus travel to Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area. In particular, those heading toward Mt. Fuji on May 3 to 5 by highway bus should be prepared for heavy congestion. Please check my previous post regarding the difference between trains and buses when you visit the Mt Fuji area. (#103)

Shinkansen

• For the Tokaido Shinkansen and Tohoku Shinkansen, JR Tokai and JR East, which operate the lines, issue congestion information. This year, congestion is expected from May 3 to 6. Therefore, it is necessary to schedule travel to Kyoto, Osaka, and Tohoku regions on weekdays before the busy period while sightseeing in Tokyo.

• All Tokaido Shinkansen's "Nozomi" train seats will be reserved between Tokyo and Hakata. The change to all reserved seats has already begun and will continue until May 6. Remember that most foreign travelers use reserved seats, but no nonreserved seats exist on the Nozomi. The Tokaido Shinkansen runs with Nozomi trains every few minutes during peak hours, but during the busiest times of the day, it is likely that the trains are already full, so please take a reserved seat as soon as you can, if possible.

• If you have difficulty booking reserved seats, please try several trains before the peak hours. Trains at the peak hours tend to have more destinations and are crowded. You can check more tips on the Tokaido Shinkansen(#145).

Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland is crowded all year round, but the crowds are especially intense during this period. Sometimes, you will likely have a tough time entering the park. Even if you try to avoid crowds by using the app, changing your schedule would be much better.　I don't even think about visiting Tokyo Disneyland at this time of year.

Finally

For tourists with limited travel time and locations, the place you want to go will take priority regardless of the crowds, and there will never be another chance to go again. If you go there and find that the crowds are too much in Tokyo, you can take a train to the western suburb of Tokyo and visit Showa Memorial Park or the upper reaches of the Tama River. You may experience something different from the typical Tokyo sightseeing spots.

I wish you all the best during the long holiday weekend, and I hope you can keep some distance from the crowds and enjoy the fresh green of Japan.