10 Things to Do during Golden Week in Tokyo
Make the Most of Golden Week in Tokyo
With so much going on, you’re probably wondering what the best things are to do during Golden Week in Tokyo. Travelling to Tokyo during Golden Week, 29 April to 5 May, can be full of excitement. Over the course of the week, 4 national holidays are celebrated: Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day. During that time, the city is alive with festivals, special programmes and a general air of jubilance.
If you don’t mind crowds, top attractions like theme parks and observation towers should make your itinerary. Don’t miss the annual food festivals, blooming spring flowers and colourful holiday decorations adorning the streets. Read on for more things to do in Tokyo during Golden Week.
1. Mt. Fuji
Japan’s highest mountain
Categorías: Fotos, Parejas, Familias
Mt. Fuji is a stunning sight at any time of year, but the festive nature of Golden Week takes it to greater heights. The best thing to do during Golden Week is to attend the Fuji Shibazakura Festival when a vibrant pink moss blooms at the base of the volcano. The bloom happens every spring from mid-April to mid-May.
If you can’t travel all the way to Mt. Fuji, or prefer to avoid the Golden Week crowds, there are plenty of places where you can see it from a distance. The top of Mt. Takao, the Skytree observation deck, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Observatory and the Tokyo Tower are among the best places in Tokyo to photograph Mt. Fuji.
Dirección: Kitayama, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka 418-0112, Japan
Mt. Fuji
2. Showa Memorial Park
Tulips, wisteria and azaleas colour the landscape in spring
Categorías: Familias, Historia, Fotos
Visiting Showa Memorial Park is one of the best things to do in Tokyo during Golden Week. Showa Day kicks off the weeklong celebration of holidays. It commemorates the birthday of Emperor Showa, the park’s namesake, who reigned for most of the 20th century during periods of turbulence and transformation.
Go to the National Showa Memorial Museum at Showa Memorial Park to learn about the historic emperor’s legacy. Beyond Showa Day, the picturesque park is worth a visit any time of year with its abundance of flowers and cherry blossom trees. Though they typically bloom at the beginning of April, it’s possible to still see some cherry blossoms during Golden Week.
Dirección: 3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0014, Japan
Horario: Daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Teléfono: +81 (0)42-528-1751
Showa Memorial Park
3. Tokyo Disneyland
Situated beside the nautical-themed DisneySea
Categorías: Familias, Aventuras
Tokyo Disneyland is a popular destination during Golden Week, after all, it is a time for families to come together. Not only can you enjoy the best rides that Disneyland has to offer, but also attractions exclusive to Tokyo like the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, a storytelling ride featuring adorable teacup carts.
Golden Week will draw bustling crowds to Tokyo Disneyland but we have some tips to make your visit go smoothly. Buy your park pass well in advance and consider picking up a priority pass to cut your queue time. Did you know you can pre-order food? Simply download the app and choose what you want then head to the restaurant at pick-up time.
Dirección: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan
Horario: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Teléfono: +81 (0)45-330-5211
Tokyo Disneyland
4. Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima
Massage and acupuncture are also on the menu at this bath house and spa
Categorías: Parejas, Lujo
No trip to Tokyo would be complete without a traditional onsen, hot spring, experience and especially a visit to the Natural Hot Springs Heiwajima can melt away your troubles. What makes Natural Hot Springs Heiwajima special? The carbonated natural hot spring pools can melt away your troubles, but the hot stone slab beds take relaxation up a level. It also has a restaurant on site serving traditional Japanese delicacies.
Because Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima is open 24 hours, you can pop in after a long day on your feet at one of the many events happening around Tokyo. Plus, it’s the perfect way to relax after enjoying all the festivities of Golden Week.
Dirección: 1 Chome-1-1２F Heiwajima, Ota City, 143-0006 Tokyo, Japan
Horario: 24/7
Teléfono: +81 (0)33-768-9121
Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima
5. Komazawa Olympic Park
Originally developed for the cancelled 1940 Olympics
Categorías: Comida, Fotos
For most of the year, Komazawa Olympic Park is a pleasant gathering place for joggers and families looking to enjoy the outdoors. During Golden Week, it transforms into a venue for fabulous festivities, mainly the Craft Gyoza Festival.
Chow down on the best gyoza in the world during the Craft Gyoza Festival. The pan-fried dumpling is on display with recipes from just about every region of Japan. Entry into the festival is free. You can buy gyoza a la carte, pay for combo food tickets or even upgrade to special lounge access to guarantee a cosy spot to sit and indulge. When you’ve had your fill of gyoza, walk around and enjoy Komazawa Olympic Park’s tree-lined track and sports facilities.
Dirección: 1-1 Komazawakoen, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0013, Japan
Teléfono: +81 (0)33-421-6431
Komazawa Olympic Park
6. Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum
An interactive architecture museum highlighting Japan’s historic buildings
Categorías: Fotos, Familias
Celebrate Japan’s historic holidays spanning Golden Week while taking in the history of the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum. The spring weather is typically pleasant and not too chilly, perfect for this outdoor activity.
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum is broken up into 3 zones, each with its own charm. Visitors enter through the centre zone. It’s here where you’ll find the visitor’s centre, café and gift shop. The east zone presents a collection of old-fashioned city buildings, including a public bathhouse, umbrella wholesaler and tailor’s workshop, and served as inspiration for the film Spirited Away. The west zone has more modern post-war architecture, plus restored family homes. Check the museum’s calendar for special events being held during Golden Week.
Dirección: 3 Chome-7-1 Sakuracho, Koganei, 184-0005 Tokyo, Japan
Horario: Tuesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Teléfono: +81 (0)42-388-3300
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum
7. Akihabara
A hub for anime and manga fanatics
Categorías: Ir de compras, Ambiente nocturno
If you’re looking to unwind during Golden Week, then Akihabara is the place for you. The central Tokyo town is highly regarded for its entertainment, food and shopping scene. It’s known as ‘electric town’ for its impressive dedication to electronics stores.
Hit the local arcades to play vintage Japanese games and win collectable toys of characters from popular franchises like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh. They even have bars that double as arcades so you can take your nightlife plans to the next level. Akihabara is a place for kids and adults to play. Expect to see plenty of folks cosplaying their favourite characters or promoting themed maid cafes.
Akihabara
8. Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Gallery
The former residence of Prince Asaka
Categorías: Historia, Fotos
Golden Week in Tokyo is a perfect time to take in the city’s lively art scene, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Gallery is well worth a visit. The museum will typically have special exhibitions during Golden Week. In 2024, for example, they had an exhibition of surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico.
Beyond the displayed art, the building and grounds of Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Gallery are breath-taking on their own. The Art Deco building was once an imperial palace and has been preserved in all its glory. The surrounding gardens give the museum part of its name: Teien, which means ‘urban oasis’.
Dirección: 5 Chome-21-9 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0071, Japan
Horario: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Teléfono: +81 (0)50-5541-8600
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Gallery
9. Tokyo Skytree Town
A town surrounding the world’s tallest tower
Categorías: Fotos, Familias
Celebrate Children’s Day, a Golden Week holiday, at Tokyo Skytree Town. The observation tower has a phenomenal view of the city. And, on Children’s Day, you can see all the best of the Skytree Town Carp Streamer Festival from above.
During the festival, thousands of koinobori, fish-shaped streamers, are strung about Skytree Town in a ‘swimming’ garland. The family-friendly festival is full of fun activities like workshops where you can make your own koinobori, lively flea markets and delectable food stands. Joy and colour are everywhere in Skytree Town during this special holiday.
Dirección: 1 Chome-1 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan
Tokyo Skytree Town
10. Niku Fes, Odaiba
Local and international meat dishes on display
Categorías: Comida, Parejas
Calling all meat lovers, Niku Fes in Odaiba is the place you’ll want to be during Tokyo’s Golden Week. Booths selling tender wagyu beef, Korean hot chicken, Brazilian churrasco and more serve their dishes alongside craft beer gardens. There is even an ultimate meat showdown where one vendor will win best in show.
It’s not just food. Like any great festival, Niku Fes also has live music. Note that the main part of the festival is free to attend while certain sections, like the beer garden, require an additional entrance fee. It’s worth looking at the schedule in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.
Dirección: 1 Chome-1-10 Aomi, Koto City, 135-0064 Tokyo, Japan
Niku Fes, Odaiba
En este artículo se incluyen las opiniones del equipo editorial de Go Guides. Los autores de este tipo de artículos reciben una compensación por parte de Hoteles.com, que puede abarcar desde viajes hasta cualquier otro tipo de costes.