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To Everyone Planning to Visit Kyoto During Golden Week (Apr 25 – May 6)

23
2026
To Everyone Planning to Visit Kyoto During Golden Week (Apr 25 – May 6)

Golden Week is Japan’s long spring break season that combines together a number of national holidays to form one long vacation period. The number of tourists increases greatly throughout the country, especially in locations that are popular tourist destinations to begin with.

We recommend you keep the following points in mind in order to better enjoy your travels during this time:

1. Reserved seats only on Nozomi shinkansen trains

From April 24 to May 6, all seats on Nozomi shinkansen trains will be reserved. Make sure to purchase a reserved seat ticket in advance if you plan to board it during that time.

Japan Railways official website

2. Travel light

Make use of various services such as luggage storage and delivery to avoid having to navigate the crowds in stations and public transportation while holding onto large luggage.

Learn more about hands-free travel in Kyoto

3. Avoid the crowds

Digital map

You can avoid the biggest crowds by checking the real-time crowding levels of various parts of the city through the “Kyoto Smart Navi” digital map. It additionally includes other helpful information such as the location of public bathrooms, trash cans and currently blooming flowers.

Click here for a fullscreen view

Live camera broadcast

We will install portable live cameras at two popular tourist spots in order to provide real-time coverage of their crowding situation.

Streaming period: April 29 (Wed, national holiday) – May 6 (Wed, national holiday)

Streamed locations:

1) Kyoto Station, Karasuma Exit Taxi Stand

2) Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop

*In order to protect the privacy of people who can be shown on the livestream, the video resolution will be reduced and no recording will be made.
*The livestream cannot be viewed outside of the scheduled period.

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