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.
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.
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.
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.
4. Changes in public transportation
Increase in number of subways
Additional Karasuma Line subway trains will be temporarily introduced in order to ensure smoother travel within Kyoto City.
Period: May 2–5, 2026
Time: 10 AM – 7 PM
Free transfer from city buses to subway
When going to Kyoto Station from the following designated areas, you can transfer from bus to subway free of charge.
Period: May 2–5, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM – 6:50 PM
From Higashiyama to Kyoto Station
Bus stop: Higashiyama Sanjo (Higashiyama Subway Station)
From Kinkaku-ji Temple to Kyoto Station
Bus stop: Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station)
