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Travelling to Japan during Golden Week 2018 2018/3/13 00:54
Hello!
So we booked our trip (flights & accommodations) from April 27-May 6 prior to finding out about Golden Week.

Wefll be staying in Tokyo from April 27-May 2. Wefre leaving for Osaka on May 2 via a shinkansen. We werenft planning to buy a JR pass as we will be flying back home from Osaka. Ifm just worried we wonft be getting any seats for the trip. Is it possible to buy tickets in advance and reserve seats once we arrive in Tokyo? What would be the best time to travel?

We were also planning on doing a day trip to Kyoto on May 4/5 but Ifve read how crowded it can get. Will it be worth it?

We also really wanna go to Universal and the only dates we could go is May 3-5. Which day do you think would be the least crowded?


Thank you!


by Ma (guest)  

Re: Travelling to Japan during Golden Week 2018 2018/3/13 02:35
1. Yes, you can make seat reservations (which cost extra) as soon as you buy your tickets. You don't have to buy your train tickets the day you travel - you can get them as soon as you land in Japan, if you want. It does mean sticking to a schedule closely though.
You can see regular fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com

If you are willing to see Kanazawa along the way between Tokyo and Osaka, then the Hokuriku Arch Pass is one other option that is about 5000 yen cheaper than the 7 day JR Pass. Overall it takes about 2 hours longer than going straight down the Tokaido Line on the east coast.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_arch.html

Golden Week can be a big problem, but it is also a good opportunity. As far as the crowds go, they generally are leaving the big cities at the start and returning at the end. If you are going in the opposite direction, it is far less of a problem. Also, there are many beautiful places to see where the flowers explode in color during that time, such as the:
Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi
https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/english/
Toyama Tulip Fair
http://fair.tulipfair.or.jp/en/
Umami-kyuryo Park in Nara
http://www.pref.nara.jp/24563.htm
Nanohana festival in Nagano
http://www.iiyama-nanohana.jp/
Shibazakura at the Fuji 5 Lakes
http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/
Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki
http://en.hitachikaihin.jp/
Nabano no Sato in Mie
http://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/area/index.html/

Yes, many places in Kyoto will be more crowded. There are some very nice yet lesser known places as well which won't be as bad. As for USJ, generally weekends are more crowded, but all the days you mention are holidays. Weather can be quite fickle as well so you might not have the freedom of just picking any day you want.


by Ken (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Travelling to Japan during Golden Week 2018 2018/3/13 08:00
Wefll be staying in Tokyo from April 27-May 2. Wefre leaving for Osaka on May 2 via a shinkansen.

If you don't mind taking flight, you can reserve it now at rather cheap fare (74 USD).

https://aswbe-i.ana.co.jp/rei21c/international_asw/pages/revenue/searc...

Note that you can't reserve at low fare after 17:00 meaning there should be high demand for the evening. As for 3rd May the low fare can't be found for morning flight. You can see how the crowds for these days are. I believe the Shinkansen would be the same for these dates.
by frog1954 rate this post as useful

Re: Travelling to Japan during Golden Week 2018 2018/3/13 08:15
I am sorry, but the link I posted doesn't work. Please do the search by yourself.

https://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/us/e/
by frog1954 rate this post as useful

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