Golden Week - travel before or after

[Jaybeez]

We might be returning to Japan in 2026 (if not there then it will be WDW). It's to celebrate a big birthday in the family, but that birthday falls within Golden Week, so we could go before or after Golden Week. My daughter has visited in May before but none of us have done April. Does anyone have any pros & cons to either month?

[AntonyJ]

I have been mostly May (one surprise trip just after Japan re-opened was Oct / Nov time).

I LOVE the time in May after Golden Week - the weather (touch wood) has been nice and warm without the oppressive heat of summer, but of course nothing with weather is for certain.

Google says Golden Week next year is: Tue, 29 Apr 2025 – Mon, 5 May 2025 - personally I would not arrive until the Sunday of that last week (the 11th) incase people were taking holidays still as Golden week ends on a Monday - but I could be overly cautious.

Hotels, travel etc should be cheaper right after Golden Week also.

Never been before Golden Week - so that is my thoughts

I fly on 13th next May, might see you there

[sky13]

I've flying into Japan about a week after Golden Week next year. I think this was due to annual leave issues if I'm not wrong, can't exactly remember why we decided to go for this week as opposed to the week before Golden Week!

[Kat11]

We are booked the last two weeks of April coming home the 27th, so before golden week.

We wanted to see the blossom trees so that’s why we chose then. We know it’ll be busy over Easter but the blossom won out.

Kat

[Jaybeez]

Originally Posted by Kat11

We are booked the last two weeks of April coming home the 27th, so before golden week.

We wanted to see the blossom trees so that’s why we chose then. We know it’ll be busy over Easter but the blossom won out.

Kat

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Oh I hope you get to see the blossom. We’re looking at 2026 and so would miss Easter as it’s earlier.

[Jaybeez]

Originally Posted by AntonyJ

I have been mostly May (one surprise trip just after Japan re-opened was Oct / Nov time).

I LOVE the time in May after Golden Week - the weather (touch wood) has been nice and warm without the oppressive heat of summer, but of course nothing with weather is for certain.

Google says Golden Week next year is: Tue, 29 Apr 2025 – Mon, 5 May 2025 - personally I would not arrive until the Sunday of that last week (the 11th) incase people were taking holidays still as Golden week ends on a Monday - but I could be overly cautious.

Hotels, travel etc should be cheaper right after Golden Week also.

Never been before Golden Week - so that is my thoughts

I fly on 13th next May, might see you there

See more...

Have a great time next year😀.

My daughter has been in May (she’s also there now) and I think that her weather was ok apart from a few wet days when a typhoon hit. I’ll ask her what her May weather was like when she gets back.

It’s a shame that it gets so busy during Golden Week as that would be our ideal time to go. I hadn’t thought about hotel prices, we’re planning 2026, but I’ll check next year’s price to see if going before or after makes a difference in price.

[Disney_time]

We visited in Golden week last year 1st to 4th May and there was no blossom to be seen in Tokyo, though we did see some when we got to Hokkaido around 7th May. If going again at that time, we'd go before Golden Week. We decided last minute to try for a Disney day, but it was fully booked - probably due to Golden week and I think they were still restricting numbers due to the pandemic - so we'd book in advance next time.