Travel Trends for Golden Week 2026 (April 25 - May 7)
Key facts
- Travel Trends for Golden Week 2026 (April 25 - May 7)
- JTB forecasts 24.47 million travelers for Golden Week 2026, an increase from the previous year. Domestic travel focuses on short, nearby trips, while overseas travel is recovering with a focus on Asia.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: April 2, 2026
Direct answer
JTB forecasts 24.47 million travelers for Golden Week 2026, an increase from the previous year. Domestic travel focuses on short, nearby trips, while overseas travel is recovering with a focus on Asia.
- Citation
- Travel Trends for Golden Week 2026 (April 25 - May 7) (April 2, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- April 2, 2026
JTB forecasts 24.47 million travelers for Golden Week 2026, an increase from the previous year. Domestic travel focuses on short, nearby trips, while overseas travel is recovering with a focus on Asia.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:38
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 05:41 (442h 2m after Collected)
JTB has compiled the travel trend forecast for "People taking trips of one night or more during Golden Week (GW) ". This report is estimated based on a questionnaire survey conducted by the JTB Group, combined with various economic trends, industry trends, transportation and tourism-related data, accommodation booking status, and various awareness surveys. This survey has been conducted continuously since 1969.
**Backed by steady travel sentiment and favorable calendar days, the number of travelers increases, while average planned travel expenses remain on par with the previous year.**
**Domestically, short-term, nearby destinations, and personal car use are increasing; people are finding ways to enjoy themselves while keeping costs down despite high prices.**
**Overseas trips are mostly 3 to 5 nights, with South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia being popular.**
**● Total GW travelers: 24.47 million (101.9% vs previous year)**
** Total travel consumption: 1,287.6 billion yen (101.1% vs previous year)**
**● Domestic travel: 23.9 million travelers (101.7%), average planned expense 46,000 yen (97.9%), travel consumption 1,099.4 billion yen (99.5%)**
**● Overseas travel: 572,000 travelers (108.5%), average planned expense 329,000 yen (102.2%), travel consumption 188.2 billion yen (110.9%)**
[Domestic Travel]
➤ The number of travelers shows a slight increase due to a favorable calendar and steady travel appetite.
➤ Average planned expenses remain high due to inflation but decreased slightly due to shorter trip durations.
➤ Destinations are mostly close-by within the residential area for short periods; short-distance trips by private car are increasing.
➤ Travel purposes include "spending time with family," "eating and enjoying local flavors," and "relaxing and taking it easy."
[Overseas Travel]
➤ The number of travelers is increasing, boosted by the recovery of international flights exceeding pre-COVID levels and favorable calendar days.
➤ Average planned expenses slightly increased due to longer stays and the effects of a weak yen and high prices.
➤ Destinations are relatively close, such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia; Europe and North America also remain persistently popular.
**1. This Year's GW Calendar and Travel Trends**
The GW calendar for 2026 features a 5-day consecutive holiday from May 2 (Sat) to May 6 (Wed, substitute holiday). Taking April 30 (Thu) and May 1 (Fri) off creates an 8-day weekend, taking May 7 (Thu) and May 8 (Fri) off creates a 9-day weekend, and combining them all results in 12 or more consecutive days off. The calendar is structured in a way that makes it easy to take long consecutive holidays depending on how days are combined. Here, we present the GW 2026 (April 25 - May 7) return...
FAQ
How many travelers are expected to take domestic trips during Golden Week 2026 according to JTB's forecast?
JTB forecasts that 23.9 million travelers will take domestic trips during Golden Week 2026, a 1.7% increase compared to the previous year.
What is the projected total number of travelers for Golden Week 2026, including both domestic and overseas trips?
The total number of travelers for Golden Week 2026 is projected to be 24.47 million, representing 101.9% of the previous year's figure.
What is the average planned travel expense for domestic travelers during Golden Week 2026?
The average planned travel expense for domestic travelers during Golden Week 2026 is 46,000 yen, which is 97.9% of the previous year's amount.
Which destinations are most popular for overseas travel during Golden Week 2026 according to the JTB report?
South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia are the most popular destinations for overseas travel during Golden Week 2026, with trips typically lasting 3 to 5 nights.
What is the total projected travel consumption for overseas trips during Golden Week 2026?
The total projected travel consumption for overseas trips during Golden Week 2026 is 188.2 billion yen, an increase of 110.9% compared to the previous year.