As the Golden Week holiday approaches, Narita Airport is bustling with travelers eager to head overseas. The holiday, which begins on April 26, 2025, has already triggered a significant surge in departures, with the airport experiencing its peak day on April 25, when approximately 55,000 people are expected to depart.
According to the Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA), this year’s Golden Week is projected to see about 1,172,800 passengers utilizing international flights during the 12-day period until May 6, 2025. This figure represents a 1.2-fold increase compared to the same period last year and suggests a return to pre-pandemic levels, reminiscent of the travel patterns seen in 2019. Interestingly, a considerable portion of these travelers will be foreign visitors to Japan, highlighting the ongoing recovery of international tourism.
Travelers at Narita Airport shared their excitement and plans for the holiday. One traveler heading to Thailand expressed, "I’m looking forward to visiting temples and riding elephants." Another, bound for Cambodia, remarked, "I’m excited to explore Angkor Wat; it’s my first time in the country, so I’m ready for new adventures." Meanwhile, a traveler going to Hong Kong noted the impact of the yen’s depreciation, saying, "It might affect my spending more than I expected."
In addition to the outbound rush at Narita, Haneda Airport is also preparing for a busy travel season, with its peak departure day expected on May 3, 2025, when around 39,000 travelers are anticipated to depart.
The Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed rail system, is bracing for heavy traffic as well. The peak for outbound travel from Tokyo Station is projected for May 3, while the return peak will occur on May 6. Reservations indicate that the number of travelers on the Shinkansen will be similar to last year, with many opting to travel early to avoid the crowds. One traveler explained, "I took a day off early to avoid the rush; I hope it helps reduce the number of people around me."
However, travelers using the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen should be aware that from April 25 to May 6, all seats in the first and second cars of the Nozomi service will be reserved only, leaving no free seating available. This has led to some travelers unexpectedly standing in the aisles, as one man shared, "I bought a free seat ticket yesterday and just found out there are no free seats today. I guess I’ll be standing for two hours to Shin-Kobe. It’s tough, but I should’ve checked better." Other services, such as Hikari and Kodama, will still offer free seating as usual.
As the holiday period unfolds, NEXCO East Japan has predicted that highway traffic congestion will peak on May 3 for outbound traffic and on May 5 for inbound traffic, with delays of up to 40 kilometers expected. Travelers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
With the return of large-scale travel during Golden Week, many are hopeful that this trend will continue, marking a significant step towards normalcy in post-pandemic travel. The excitement among travelers is palpable, as they prepare to enjoy their vacations abroad, signaling a renewed confidence in international travel.
