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Japan trip - Golden Week

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  • 08-09-2015 3:12pm
    #1
    lc180
    Registered Users Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭


    Hi all, I'm planning my second trip to Japan. I fell in love with the place last October and a lot of my trip was organised based on the top notch info I found here so first off - cheers!

    I am back again and this time I'd like some advice regarding Golden Week.

    I very nearly booked flights for the last week of April and first week of May but thankfully GW popped up in my Google results when searching! Based on what I've read I've decided my plan is to avoid Golden Week like I would the plague.

    In 2016 it falls between April 29 and May 5th. If I planned to arrive in Tokyo on Sunday May 8th do you think all the craziness will have ended and availability of accommodation would be back at normality again? Or to be safe should I plan to arrive a week later?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

    Cheers


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    #2
    shindig-jp
    Registered Users Posts: 386 ✭✭shindig-jp


    Always a good idea to miss out Golden Week ,simply because roads trains & planes are all clogged up, surprisingly enough, hotel accommodation is not a problem during that week alone. Mostly families dividing themselves between visiting both sets of inlaws and dragging the kids along or the singles in groups jetting off abroad for the week, the JR pass will still get you onto a packed train , basically that's the handicap of GW. Tourists who spend the week in the cities will still find the hustle & bustle just the same as any other week.The Yamanote line is always full of bodies and you have the same chance as everyone else on getting a seat. You still have a morning & evening Rush Hour in Tokyo. I can't speak for Osaka as it's been a number of years since I lived there.


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    #3
    lc180
    Registered Users Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭lc180


    Great answer, thanks for the info!

    Any else have any personal experience of golden week in Japan? Looking to get as much feedback as possible.

    Cheers


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    #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Basically everywhere of interest would be crowded during Golden Week... even the dates you're talking about might be packed because some people might get different days off. Having said that, it's a nice time of year because it's not too hot yet!
    I think how well you enjoy GW really depends on what you want to do, and how willing you are to wait in line :P Personally, I avoid making plans because I want to avoid the crowds.


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    #5
    putthekettleon
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭putthekettleon


    Avoid Golden Week like the plague. The best time to travel in Japan is when the kids are in school. During test time is even better, google the Japanese school schedule and you'll get the best prices for the year around the busiest school days, this also applies to international flights. Times like Golden week, new year and Obon are crazy with jacking up prices, unfortunately, I'm a teacher here, so these are also my days off!


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    #6
    lc180
    Registered Users Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭lc180


    OP here, I did book flights to Japan but I'm avoiding Golden Week just to be safe. I arrive just after it finishes.

    I cannot wait to get back there!


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    #7
    carlo5
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭carlo5


    lc180 wrote: »
    OP here, I did book flights to Japan but I'm avoiding Golden Week just to be safe. I arrive just after it finishes.

    I cannot wait to get back there!

    How was it there?


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    #8
    lc180
    Registered Users Posts: 1,999 ✭✭✭lc180


    carlo5 wrote: »
    How was it there?

    It was totally fine. I arrived the day after Golden Week finished and didn't notice any delays or huge crowds. Accommodation was a lot easier to book and the weather was great.

    I'd go back again in a heartbeat!


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    #9
    shindig-jp
    Registered Users Posts: 386 ✭✭shindig-jp


    lc180 wrote: »
    It was totally fine. I arrived the day after Golden Week finished and didn't notice any delays or huge crowds. Accommodation was a lot easier to book and the weather was great.

    I'd go back again in a heartbeat!

    Out of genuine interest , Any pictures [video's] of your trip ? Landing in Narita , Haneda ~, wifi pickup , food that you loved/hated , souvenirs brought home . Car's ???? people manners ??


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