Navigating Japan’s Golden Week: Tips for a Stress-Free Visit

Golden Week is coming up soon—and honestly, it crept up on me faster than expected.

While it sounds like a great time to visit Japan—lots of festivals, warmer weather, sakura still lingering in the north—I usually wouldn’t recommend it to first-time visitors or foreign travelers.

Why? Because almost everyone in Japan is traveling domestically during this time. That means:

Tourist hotspots are flooded. Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, Fuji… all packed.
Hotel prices skyrocket—and many places get booked out months in advance.
Shinkansen and domestic flights are crowded, often with standing-only space for those without seat reservations.
Highways are jammed for hours, especially at the start and end of the holiday period.

Unless your idea of a Japanese experience includes waiting in lines, wrestling for train seats, and paying double for accommodation, it’s usually better to plan your trip for another time.

This Year’s Plan: Off the Beaten Path

To steer clear of the usual Golden Week chaos, Hiromi and I are heading to the Echizen Coast and the Tsuraga–Wakasa area in Fukui Prefecture. It’s a comfortable drive from Gifu, so we’ll avoid the shinkansen rush, and it’s not typically a top pick for mass domestic tourism—perfect for a calm escape.

What makes this area worth exploring?

Echizen’s rugged coastline is stunning, with cliffs, coves, and a wild, untamed beauty you rarely find in big tourist spots.
Seafood lovers, rejoice—this region is famous for Wakasa mackerel and Echizen crab, freshly caught and full of flavor.
Local charm without the crowds: Visit peaceful temples like Kehi Jingu in Tsuraga or stroll the quiet streets of Mikuni with its retro charm.
Beautiful coastal drives and open skies: Sometimes, it’s the journey, not the destination—and in this case, both deliver.

It’s not completely off the radar—some spots like Tojinbo Cliffs and Kehi Jingu Shrine do get their share of day-trippers during Golden Week—but compared to places like Kyoto or Hakone, it’s still considered a low-key escape. The coastal roads and fishing villages tend to feel more relaxed, and with a bit of timing and planning, it’s easy to enjoy the scenery without the overwhelm.

Tips to Navigate Golden Week Like a Local

If you are in Japan during Golden Week (whether by choice or accident), here are some tips to keep things smooth:

Avoid peak travel days like April 29, May 3, and May 5—they’re the start and end of major movement nationwide.
Choose less popular destinations—you’ll still get great experiences without the tourist bottlenecks.
Book everything in advance—seriously, everything: hotels, transport, even some restaurants.
Use navigation and traffic apps to stay ahead of jams. Google Maps, NAVITIME, and local travel sites are your friends.
Stay flexible and keep your cool—even the best plans can hit a detour.

So while Golden Week is a cherished time for many people living in Japan, it’s also a week where quiet escapes take a little more intention and planning.

We’re hoping our coastal drive this year will offer some space to breathe, recharge, and maybe discover a few hidden gems.