I’m back!!! I plan to visit Japan again and I used your videos to help plan my trip out back in 2019. I recommend your channel to everyone who tells me they are going to Japan bc it’s one thing to read the plan but it’s so wonderful to get a visual and also all those helpful tips you give.
Aloha my friend! Just watched the replay. I agree with you that I could spend a good amount of time watching the Shinkansen go by. Give me an Ekiben on a Shink any day of the week and twice on Sunday's! Haha.
Made the mistake of visiting Japan in Golden week last year but thankfully we booked hotels half a year in advance so hotel prices were normal. There was only one day when the train stations were packed. I think it was sunday evening before the holiday week started but after that, it felt normal. I feel like most locals are not in Tokyo. They either go out of the country or go back to their provinces.. I’d say it was more crowded during the spring season (late march to mid april)
arriving in tokyo on the evening of the 4th May! but will be hopping on a cruiseship on the 6th may so will just be dealing with one day of crazy before everyone goes back to work and school! always apprechaite these videos John! first time back in japan since january 2020!!
Cash from a JPost ATM recently was a treat 40,000¥=$250 FTW! Booking travel to Hokkaido during golden week was actually drama free and not much of a bump in prices.
Hello! this is great content. What about the day right after Golden Week? How crowded and expensive things are on the days that follows? thank you very much!
for a April 2025 Hakodate Sakura + Tokyo Wisteria Trip, I'm wondering if should I schedule it earlier like April 13-26 is better than doing it a bit later like April 16-30. (somewhat a veteran of Japan travel so I can plan having to zip around different areas.)
I’m sure you’ll be okay either way. Just prepare for the last few days to be busier. April will always be high season, the blossoms make the north more crowded than usual.
hi John, I got Hokuriku pass starting 2nd of May but I can only get it this Sunday when I`m arriving - do you think its going to be a problem with grabbing a seat?
Wow Golden week is almost here! Well I think that's great! Many get to go home and see their parents and other family members 😊😊 As for the rest of us, just wait a week or until mid May . For me I always wanted to visit from mid May to early June ❤😊😊
we are coming to tokyo on sunday. If people go and we come, we won't meet each other. I think this could be a good time too. we're going to experience it.
I’ve been there for Golden week, twice…I was planning to go next week but had some plan change….I love to visit during GW…a lot of sales and I don’t worry about huge crowd…
Sometimes the toughest times offer the best experiences too, you can find happiness in the worst of times. Can turn that around to the best memories too.
Is May busier than April generally? Or vice versa? I arrive May 9 so I will miss the golden week rush but just worried it’ll still be insanely packed with tourists and crowds
May is less busy after GW (May 6th) because school is in session, spring holidays over. Cherry Blossom boom is over, people typically wait for summer. It’s THE BEST time to come, not high season, a lot of sun, warm but not humid, flowers out, hiking 🥾 season. But Japan is now a major tourist destination and I expect record high tourism from abroad despite the holiday over.
I arrived with the Shinkansen to Tokyo station from Sendai one hour after this live stream. Will be here for one more week after almost two weeks up north.
Arriving the 20th of may,should i be scared about the rainy season being so close by? I already see, there will be a lot of rain while im there,lets hope the forecast changes into sunny days otherwise ill have no idea what to do...
No need to fear it. It will rain. Not everyday - probably. Just have to roll with it. I don’t know when it’ll officially start but it’s raining today 😂 it usually starts in June.
I forgot about golden week and am arriving in tokyo on may 3rd, gladly right at the back half of the week, but I already know its gonna be busy for the first tiny bit of my trip.
Hey John how it's going. I always watching your video from Savannah Georgia and I enjoy it. I was there last month visiting my family, I already miss being there. Say hello to kenae and Rio for me.列子より🐾
Shinkansen is Shinkansen the best futuristic train of Japan. Best for punctuality best for high speed run across Japan. Arigato Zaimasu John Duab Sir for showing today and also happy Golden Week 2024 to you and your family and to whole Japan. Mata ne! 😊
Awesome video! I just love how exciting living in Tokyo, Japan, is for you! I would just be grateful if I could spend a week in Japan. Plus, I don't know how much longer I would be able to survive there since I only know the Japanese a 3 rear old might speak. But, I loved seeing the postcard thing. I hope that one day I can make a friend in Japan who could send me a postcard. Those were way cool! My only other foreign postcards are from a friend in Austria, which I also want to go visit.
Narita airport wise is pretty efficient, no major crowds for departure. Guess everyone is coming in. Still extremely snooth with the new facial recognition immigration tool. Well done to Japan!
Last year, I left US on 4/30 and landed on 5/1. During the Golden Week, I actually stayed put in Yokohama and then traveled the following week. Yes it was a bit crowded but not as bad as I thought? Haneda airport 🛫 wasn't too bad either, but then again, it was in the international terminal and not domestic, so... The following week, Kyoto and Kobe wasn't too bad either. However I remember how hot 🔥 🥵 it was there! 😅
Last year was still somewhat impacted by the pandemic. They didn’t downgrade the virus until April so I think this year is the perfect storm! Much less crowded 365 days ago. With the weak yen, most Japanese staying domestic too!
Just my luck... The Air Asia tickets were cheaper by about USD250 if I booked my flights for the week beginning Sunday.. and then I find out later that is Golden Week.. 😂😂 No wonder hotel prices were so high. Still, I managed to save quite a bit overall. I guess we'll see how crowded Kanagawa is going to be this coming week. Five nights in Fujisawa and three in Tokyo.. and one at the airport to begin with.. 😂 I might end up spending the first night in the onsen at Haneda Garden. Then take the train to Fujisawa in the morning.
Lucky enough to visit Japan in March and it was beautiful! Watching your videos reminds me of how wonderful Japan is! We took a trip on the Shinkansen and it was amazing!
That’s bul___. It’s right time to go to Japan. I’m currently in Tokyo and travel to Tokyo station always everyday for the last two days. By the way get the Tokyo pokemon pikchu at Tokyo station
Don't waste your time on this video. There isn't much explanation about the golden week. He speaks about it maybe a couple of minutes and the rest of the time shows you the trains. The video should have a title like "Trains in Tokyo"
How is explaining the most crowded season being anti-tourist? It’s not new news. Japanese government is not my client, the viewers of this channel are and they get my views and experience here.
I’m back!!! I plan to visit Japan again and I used your videos to help plan my trip out back in 2019. I recommend your channel to everyone who tells me they are going to Japan bc it’s one thing to read the plan but it’s so wonderful to get a visual and also all those helpful tips you give.
This stream was so fun! It’s always nice to see how lively places full of energy make you even more enthusiastic 😊🌟
Thank you for covering this, I had no idea what golden week was, I had never heard of it before. Thank you for your coverage.
Shinkansen is always nice to see🚄😎Thank you for this informative and relaxing stream🙂👍!!!
You’re welcome ^_^
Aloha my friend! Just watched the replay. I agree with you that I could spend a good amount of time watching the Shinkansen go by. Give me an Ekiben on a Shink any day of the week and twice on Sunday's! Haha.
I really hope to go from Ireland to Japan sometime. Your videos over the years have given me the appetite for it John!
Good thing I'm going there mid-May. Just after Golden Week. Hopefully everyone's busy working and schooling. 😁
same, just arriving on May 5th LOL hopefully it's chill..
Me arriving on May 2nd sweating bullets. 😂
Arriving 20th of may,hella scared about the rainy season being so close by
@@brvhtxxbxk sooooo rainy today in Akihabara, ruined my whole day 😭
I’m arriving right at the start of Golden week, looking forward to it. Busyness and all 😅
Same here😂😢
Same😂 i am arriving at 2nd of may
It was nice to watch you John at the train station seeing the Shinkansen train
Relaxing to see beauty flow in like that ❤️
just left after 3wks, still very busy, had a great time. took your advice in some spots, helped big time. thx
Made the mistake of visiting Japan in Golden week last year but thankfully we booked hotels half a year in advance so hotel prices were normal. There was only one day when the train stations were packed. I think it was sunday evening before the holiday week started but after that, it felt normal. I feel like most locals are not in Tokyo. They either go out of the country or go back to their provinces.. I’d say it was more crowded during the spring season (late march to mid april)
arriving in tokyo on the evening of the 4th May! but will be hopping on a cruiseship on the 6th may so will just be dealing with one day of crazy before everyone goes back to work and school! always apprechaite these videos John! first time back in japan since january 2020!!
Pretty exciting, John!
Thanks for sharing it. ✌️
John,
Enjoy your golden week with your family. 😊
Golden Week! Must plan ahead. Must know about it to allow for it. 😊👍✔️Good call
Cash from a JPost ATM recently was a treat 40,000¥=$250 FTW! Booking travel to Hokkaido during golden week was actually drama free and not much of a bump in prices.
Is April 15th-24th ok to visit Tokyo? Thank you.
Does it die down again once Golden week ends? Or is pretty much the entire month of May the busiest time in Japan?
Hello! this is great content. What about the day right after Golden Week? How crowded and expensive things are on the days that follows? thank you very much!
for a April 2025 Hakodate Sakura + Tokyo Wisteria Trip, I'm wondering if should I schedule it earlier like April 13-26 is better than doing it a bit later like April 16-30. (somewhat a veteran of Japan travel so I can plan having to zip around different areas.)
I’m sure you’ll be okay either way. Just prepare for the last few days to be busier. April will always be high season, the blossoms make the north more crowded than usual.
hi John, I got Hokuriku pass starting 2nd of May but I can only get it this Sunday when I`m arriving - do you think its going to be a problem with grabbing a seat?
Hi, I'm leaving Tokyo next Wednesday. Should I worry about skyliner or Narita express availability?
Very efficient, orderly and clean country. My grandmother still remembers when exchange rate was ¥360 to 1 US$.
😳
Good to hear things get quite fun May 7…. That’s the day my family and I arrive!
Hi! Is it mandatory to stop at a tram crossing in japan even though it shows orange if you are driving?
I loved Japan! People - country - culture - food .. simply fantastic
Wow Golden week is almost here! Well I think that's great! Many get to go home and see their parents and other family members 😊😊 As for the rest of us, just wait a week or until mid May . For me I always wanted to visit from mid May to early June ❤😊😊
Are stores open in Tokyo? Like Ameyoko, Ginza n Shinjuku?
Great video sir…should I book my hotel in advance for mid May? Or could I hope to get something when arriving ?
Good morning from Santa Barbara CA
we are coming to tokyo on sunday. If people go and we come, we won't meet each other. I think this could be a good time too. we're going to experience it.
I’ve been there for Golden week, twice…I was planning to go next week but had some plan change….I love to visit during GW…a lot of sales and I don’t worry about huge crowd…
Sometimes the toughest times offer the best experiences too, you can find happiness in the worst of times. Can turn that around to the best memories too.
JR Pass is more expensive than standard Shinkansen ticket these days. A one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto almost costs me $100.
Is May busier than April generally? Or vice versa? I arrive May 9 so I will miss the golden week rush but just worried it’ll still be insanely packed with tourists and crowds
May is less busy after GW (May 6th) because school is in session, spring holidays over. Cherry Blossom boom is over, people typically wait for summer.
It’s THE BEST time to come, not high season, a lot of sun, warm but not humid, flowers out, hiking 🥾 season. But Japan is now a major tourist destination and I expect record high tourism from abroad despite the holiday over.
There is a Starbucks at Tokyo Station right outside our Shinkansen gate to Osaka. Was waiting there before our train last month
Is it too busy inside Tokyo? I'm arriving at the start of the golden week 😢
I arrived with the Shinkansen to Tokyo station from Sendai one hour after this live stream. Will be here for one more week after almost two weeks up north.
Arriving the 20th of may,should i be scared about the rainy season being so close by? I already see, there will be a lot of rain while im there,lets hope the forecast changes into sunny days otherwise ill have no idea what to do...
No need to fear it. It will rain. Not everyday - probably. Just have to roll with it. I don’t know when it’ll officially start but it’s raining today 😂 it usually starts in June.
Wew, 157.76 yen to the dollar today 🙈
Come on, keep on dropping. My trip to Japan is next month!
I forgot about golden week and am arriving in tokyo on may 3rd, gladly right at the back half of the week, but I already know its gonna be busy for the first tiny bit of my trip.
I will be there on first week of May 2nd - 11th. I go to Kyoto only on 6th.
I'll be here April 30th - it will be my first time. I'm definitely excited, but also kinda anxious with seeing such a large crowd 😅
Hey John how it's going.
I always watching your video from Savannah Georgia and I enjoy it.
I was there last month visiting my family, I already miss being there.
Say hello to kenae and Rio for me.列子より🐾
Shinkansen is Shinkansen the best futuristic train of Japan. Best for punctuality best for high speed run across Japan. Arigato Zaimasu John Duab Sir for showing today and also happy Golden Week 2024 to you and your family and to whole Japan.
Mata ne! 😊
Hi, is it okay if i fly into Tokyo on May 7th to avoid golden week, it will be by first time in Tokyo
Awesome video! I just love how exciting living in Tokyo, Japan, is for you! I would just be grateful if I could spend a week in Japan. Plus, I don't know how much longer I would be able to survive there since I only know the Japanese a 3 rear old might speak. But, I loved seeing the postcard thing. I hope that one day I can make a friend in Japan who could send me a postcard. Those were way cool! My only other foreign postcards are from a friend in Austria, which I also want to go visit.
Hello I'm your havid fan from the Philippines
Narita airport wise is pretty efficient, no major crowds for departure. Guess everyone is coming in. Still extremely snooth with the new facial recognition immigration tool. Well done to Japan!
Hopefully in April I'll be there....
I’m heading there from sendai. I already booked my bus etc.
I'm noticing people are booking shinkansen seats 30 days in advance as soon as it is possible to book them (heh, like me).
Just came back from Hiroshima for a one day trip. So easy to use the Smart-Ex app for the Shinkansen.
Man I’m here rn! What do I do?
I'll be leaving japan on Monday:) and yes, price of things are really more than I expected
Last year, I left US on 4/30 and landed on 5/1. During the Golden Week, I actually stayed put in Yokohama and then traveled the following week. Yes it was a bit crowded but not as bad as I thought? Haneda airport 🛫 wasn't too bad either, but then again, it was in the international terminal and not domestic, so... The following week, Kyoto and Kobe wasn't too bad either. However I remember how hot 🔥 🥵 it was there! 😅
Last year was still somewhat impacted by the pandemic. They didn’t downgrade the virus until April so I think this year is the perfect storm! Much less crowded 365 days ago. With the weak yen, most Japanese staying domestic too!
Just my luck... The Air Asia tickets were cheaper by about USD250 if I booked my flights for the week beginning Sunday.. and then I find out later that is Golden Week.. 😂😂 No wonder hotel prices were so high. Still, I managed to save quite a bit overall. I guess we'll see how crowded Kanagawa is going to be this coming week. Five nights in Fujisawa and three in Tokyo.. and one at the airport to begin with.. 😂 I might end up spending the first night in the onsen at Haneda Garden. Then take the train to Fujisawa in the morning.
I can't wait to go in May Luckly we are going on may the 10th-22nd cant wait.
Good timing!
I'm headed today but traveling with friends, really not my choice lol 😂
Golden week is a fun time to visit Japan!
This video is probably mainly relevant for most tourists, however the ones that come to Japan for events have to come regardless.
I booked Shinkansen this morning to Tokyo ❤
ive never seen mobile livestreams that lace in videos and pictures like this. its so futuristic and entertaining
GOLDEN WEEK!!! Mon, Apr 29, 2024 - Sun, May 5, 2024
Do they observe on Monday too?
I wanna come to Japan for Golden Week, just to see how crazy it really is.
I help you see first, l😂 leaving 2pm tomorrow 😮
Lucky enough to visit Japan in March and it was beautiful! Watching your videos reminds me of how wonderful Japan is! We took a trip on the Shinkansen and it was amazing!
I miss watching the live streams.
It’s too late, lol. I am here on a six week journey and this is my last week.
Shinkansen shows it's value when operating at this pace.
We need Platinum Week!
I came to move here in March 1998 and I can say honestly the tourists are getting worse and worse
I’m already here. What do I do now 😂
Went there golden week last year, worst year to come to Japan. Everywhere is packed 😂😂😂
That’s bul___. It’s right time to go to Japan. I’m currently in Tokyo and travel to Tokyo station always everyday for the last two days. By the way get the Tokyo pokemon pikchu at Tokyo station
3:57 nearly 158 yens per dollar now
Best and worst time to be in Japan
So true! Best (weather) and worse crowds. But you gotta go when you gotta go!
They should have named the other week Platinum :)
Instead of bentos or onigiri I prefer buying a bunch of the 7-11 sandwiches, they're so good!
I love Tokyo during golden week. No one is there.
Japan, famously known for standing in line.
More people are visiting Japan in recent years bcoz of RUclipsrs like you 😅
Don't waste your time on this video. There isn't much explanation about the golden week. He speaks about it maybe a couple of minutes and the rest of the time shows you the trains. The video should have a title like "Trains in Tokyo"
Live streams (this is a live stream) give you all the info in the first 10 minutes. Then I answer questions or show viewers around.
Avoid Japan now? You know foreigners planned and bought their tickets as early as 6 months before the travel dates?
does the japanese government pay you to be anti tourist??
Golden Week is like going to Key West during spring break. You don't get involved if you don't have to. Why fight the crowds?
Giving good travel advice is not being 'anti-tourist'.
@@darthlaurel lmao
How is explaining the most crowded season being anti-tourist? It’s not new news. Japanese government is not my client, the viewers of this channel are and they get my views and experience here.
@@onlyinjapanGO well to be fair, you have done work on behalf of the government. its just weird to tell people not to visit