Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク,
Gōruden Wīku, often abbreviated "GW") is - in addition to
o-bon in August and
ō-shōgatsu (the New Year festivities) - one of the
ōgata renkyū (大型連休,), the three longest vacation periods observed in Japan. It comprises a series of holidays (see below). Many employees take the days in between the holidays and the weekends off, while some companies close for the whole week.
Due to the usually favourable weather it is also one of the most popular seasons for domestic and international travel. While the weather is mild and the temperatures are not that high yet, the seasonal fares for transportation and accommodation most definitely are. Most hotels and holiday resorts are booked out weeks and months in advance, on some days
shinkansen run at a capacity of up to 200%. Expect hours of delay on the highways at...