When is Golden Week 2026? Calendar and popular tour activities
With the arrival of warm spring, 2026 (Reiwa 8) The once-a-year long holiday Golden Week (GW) Is coming.
Golden Week 2026 (Reiwa 8) starts on Saturday, April 29th!
If you use paid leave, you can work until Wednesday, May 6th.
8-day holiday
is possible.
Summer vacation ( Buddhist vacation ), followed by tourist spots such as travel destinations and outing destinations Seasons of increasing demand for outdoor activities, leisure, experiences and tours is.
On this page Popularity ranking based on Activity Japan reservation data In conjunction with the announcement, we will explore the popular trends in activities, leisure, experiences, and fun that are attracting attention during the Golden Week season of 2026 (Reiwa 8).
table of contents
How long will Golden Week be in 2026 (Reiwa 8)?
First of all, When is Golden Week in 2026? Or, check the consecutive holiday schedule including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays on the calendar.
Golden Week Calendar for 2026 (Reiwa 8)
4/29 (Wednesday/Holiday)
Showa Day
4/30 (Thurs) Weekday
5/1 (Fri) Weekday
5/2 (Sat)
Saturday
5/3 (Sunday/Holiday)
Constitution Memorial Day
5/4 (Monday/Holiday)
Greenery day
5/5 (Tuesday/Holiday)
Children's day
5/6 (Wednesday/Closed)
Substitute holiday for Constitution Memorial Day
Golden Week 2026 (Reiwa 8) could be as long as 8 days off!
When there are consecutive holidays or days off on the calendar, Four days from May 3rd (Sunday) to May 6th (Wednesday, substitute holiday) ..
If Saturday is a day off, you can take two days off on Thursday, April 30th and Friday, May 1st.
8 consecutive days off from Wednesday, April 29th to Wednesday, May 6th (substitute holiday)
This is a schedule that can be done.
Although it is irregular, if we take an additional day off on Monday, April 27th and Tuesday, April 28th,
A maximum of 12 consecutive days off is no longer a dream?!
Make good use of Golden Week 2026 (Reiwa 8) and plan your outings, such as trips and drives.
If you are on a long vacation, we recommend using KKday, which offers great deals on overseas travel.
You can book activities in Hawaii and Australia at great prices! Also, You can also pre-book tickets to watch live MLB games. Yo.
If you would like to spend Golden Week abroad this year, please check out the KKday official website.
Click here for coupons to save money on your trip to Australia
*You will be redirected to the KKday website.
Golden Week popular experience tour plan
Next, " Golden Week popular experience tour plan Will be introduced in a ranking format based on the number of activity Japan reservations.
Please use it for comparison and examination of plan selection by referring to the experience price (price) and reputation based on reviews and word-of-mouth experiences, including the most popular experience tour plans and experience locations during the Golden Week season.
[Very popular] We also hold Blue Cave Snorkeling events for people aged 2 to 70! → https://activityjapan.com/publish/plan/18400 Another plan [All-you-can-play in the Blue Cave for one day] Equipment rental service is now open! → https://activityjapan.com/pu
《100% encounter rate! Sea turtle snorkeling tour》・You can also see clownfish and tropical fish.・We are extremely confident in your photos! They are sure to look great on social media♪・Of course, all data is provided free of charge. There is no limit on the number of photos!・Recommended for friends, couples, and even families.・It is a small group tour and takes place in shallow coastal waters, so it is safe even for small children.
Kayaking or SUP experience in the Fukido River mangrove forest, a natural monument of Ishigaki Island and a designated cultural asset of the city! Our motto is "A great experience that is both affordable and highly satisfying!" We strive to provide this experience every day! Our staff are locals or residents of the island. The river flows very gently, making it a great place for beginners and small children to enjoy kayaking or SUP.
Only once in a lifetime, both in the summer of 2 and in the summer of 5. It is a popular snorkeling plan for families, couples, friends, Okinawa trips, and families with young children as the best memories of this trip. I'm worried because my child is small, the first time in the sea, rather my dad and mom can't swim. !! The instructor in charge is large as well as children
☆Corona countermeasure shop☆Okinawa Blue Cave Beach Experience Diving★Please take a look at our 5-star high rating reviews♪The messages we have received from many customers are our treasure! I'm proud! ! Photos and videos taken underwater will be transferred to your smartphone on the spot immediately after the dive! The cutting-edge GOPRO images are already beyond the capabilities of human eyeballs.
This plan is becoming increasingly popular! It's exclusive to our shop! You won't find it anywhere else! We put safety first and will guide you to ensure your satisfaction! Enjoy the nightlife of Ishigaki Island to the fullest! Experience the three most popular night tours at once: [Starry Sky Photo] x [Night Safari to Search for Coconut Crab with a 99% Encounter Rate] x [Mangrove Exploration] ⭐️If you don't see any coconut crabs, we'll refund your money!⭐️
＊＊＊New masks and snorkels available for purchase＊＊＊ You can take home any purchased items. You can continue to enjoy the ocean of Okinawa after the experience! ＊＊＊We also offer the option to charter a guide＊＊＊Preschoolers and small children
[Okinawa's Ocean, Loved by the World] The ocean of Okinawa is loved by people all over the world! This is a set plan that includes a carefully selected selection of the most popular activities! The extremely popular "Blue Cave Boat Snorkeling" allows you to fully enjoy the beautiful ocean! You can also enjoy feeding the fish. "Shisa Parasailing" allows you to fly high above the blue ocean of the tourist attraction "Mid-Sea Road" in Uruma City.
You can enjoy crystal kayaking at the place where the water flows into from Yasui Valley, the uppermost reaches of the Niyodo River, where the Niyodo Blue is the most beautiful. Become one with the water in a transparent crystal kayak! Take a walk on the water with a guide through the vast Niyodo Blue, which has a "miraculous transparency"♪ Take photos of the experience.
Flying in the sky while gazing at the majestic Sea of Japan is an exhilarating experience! We are constantly improving our facilities so that even children, the elderly, and those who are not confident in their physical strength or athletic ability can fly with peace of mind. "The paragliding experience at Tottori Sand Dunes is the same no matter where you experience it - or so you think?
Popular areas / areas of Golden Week
Next, " Popular areas / areas of Golden Week Will be introduced in a ranking format based on the number of activity Japan reservations.
It is a representative spot in Japan for marine sports and outdoor activities. "Okinawa (including remote islands such as Ishigakijima and Miyakojima)" ranked first due to the overwhelming number of reservations Is shining.
others, ``Tokyo'' and ``Yamanashi'' and ``Kanagawa'', which can be visited on a day trip from Tokyo. , dotted with tourist spots Popular tourist destination “Kyoto” I have received many reservations.
GW popular area / area ranking
|
No. 1 in popularity
|
Okinawa |
|
2nd most popular
|
Tokyo |
|
3rd most popular
|
Kagoshima |
|
4th most popular
|
Yamanashi |
|
5th most popular
|
Hokkaido |
|
6th most popular
|
Kochi |
|
7th most popular
|
Kanagawa |
|
8th most popular
|
Kyoto |
|
9th most popular
|
Tochigi |
|
10th most popular
|
Osaka |
Full-scale summer starts from GW in Okinawa!
Overwhelming Activities, leisure, experiences and fun The number one spot in terms of number of reservations was taken by Japan's world-famous tropical activity paradise, " Okinawa ".
Enjoy swimming all year round " Ishigaki Island "or" Miyakojima " and Remote Island Area Including, " Okinawa main island However, the popular beaches and beaches will open from around March, and the full-scale summer will start every year around the time of Golden Week.
sea ・ mountain ・ river ・ Empty etc... Held in various outdoor fields Almost all activities / experience leisure can be reserved Therefore, summer vacation ・ Buddhist vacation As well as the peak season from July to August, Okinawa Trip You can enjoy the great outdoors, which is the best part of the trip.
Leisure activities in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region are popular!
At Activity Japan, which has many users in Tokyo and the Kanto region, Tokyo "or" Yamanashi , " Kanagawa , " Gunma "such as, Day trips possible Tourism in the Kanto-Koshinetsu area is attracting attention. ..
The Kanto-Koshinetsu area is home to outdoor leisure activities Manufacturing experience ・ Cultural experience leisure to There are many experience tour plans available is.
Popular activities, leisure, experiences and tours of Golden Week
Next, " Popular activities, leisure, experiences and tours of Golden Week Will be introduced in a ranking format based on the number of activity Japan reservations.
" Okinawa ( Ishigaki Island or Miyakojima etc. Remote Islands "The most popular marine sports event is the " Snorkeling "or" Canoe kayaking (sea kayaking) ”Dominates the 1st and 2nd place.
In addition, " SUP (SUP) Stand Up Paddle Board "or" Experience diving (beginner OK) Outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in water fields (sea, river, lake), such as "Sea Fishing," are popular.
GW popular activities, leisure, experiences, tour rankings
|
No. 1 in popularity
|
Snorkeling |
|
2nd most popular
|
Canoe / kayak |
|
3rd most popular
|
SUP (SUP) stand-up paddle board |
|
4th most popular
|
Experience diving (beginner OK) |
|
5th most popular
|
Parasailing |
|
6th most popular
|
Sea fishing / fishing boat |
|
7th most popular
|
Deserted Island Tour |
|
8th most popular
|
Night tour |
|
9th most popular
|
Ceramic art experience / ceramic art class |
|
10th most popular
|
Rafting |
Okinawa's marine activities are popular!
After the Golden Week season, when the maximum temperature during the day is 20 degrees Celsius or more and there are many warm and comfortable days, it is nationwide. When marine activities (water sports) begin to grow in popularity is.
The representative " Snorkeling "or" scuba diving "Including" SUP (SUP) Stand Up Paddle Board "or" Canoe / kayak A wide range of events such as "" are ranked in.
In particular, "various marine activities are synonymous with tourism. Okinawa (including remote islands such as Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island) We have received many reservations for the experience tour plan.
The popularity of sea fishing and fishing boats is increasing!
"Spring, summer, autumn and winter" that you can enjoy all year round regardless of the season Sea fishing / fishing boat "Also, it tends to become more popular after the Golden Week season, when the climate is comfortable.
Among the, It is said that even beginners can easily catch fish. Horse mackerel fishing " or Aiming for seasonal fish species Gomoku fishing " I have received many reservations.
In addition, "Tokyo Bay, Sagami Bay, etc." Tokyo "and" Kanagawa "or" Chiba Including the tour of "" Okinawa There are many needs to be enjoyed as a marine leisure.
Frequently asked questions about Golden Week
Q. What is Golden Week?
A. The period from the end of April to the beginning of May when many national holidays are concentrated is called "Golden Week," and is a popular tourist season alongside Obon and the New Year holidays. It is sometimes written as "GW." This name was coined by a Japanese film company in the 1950s, and because it is associated with advertising, some media outlets have renamed it "the long spring holiday."
Q. When does Golden Week start and end in 2026 (Reiwa 8)?
A. Generally, Golden Week in 2026 (Reiwa 8) will run from Wednesday, April 29th (national holiday) to Wednesday, May 6th (holiday). April 27th (Monday), April 28th (Tuesday), April 30th (Thursday), and May 1st (Friday) are weekdays, but if you take time off, you can have up to 12 consecutive days off.
Q. Are there any places where I can enjoy cherry blossoms and flower viewing during Golden Week?
A. In Iwate and Aomori in Tohoku, cherry blossoms are expected to bloom from mid to late April. In some places in Hokkaido, the expected peak bloom will coincide with Golden Week! Learn more )
*The content of this article is current as of August 2025.
*The Golden Week popularity rankings introduced in this article are the results of a survey conducted as of August 2024.
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