Reiwa Youth: Want to Avoid Crowded Golden Week Spots?! Over 60% Respond 'If It's Crowded, I Won't Go' – What's the True Meaning Behind It?
A survey by "Wakamono Research" reveals that 64.6% of 15-19 year olds avoid crowded places during holidays like Golden Week. The main reasons are a dislike for crowds, valuing time efficiency, and an indoor-oriented lifestyle, indicating a shift from traditional perceptions of youth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 10:36 (4 min after Collected)
The Golden Week season often brings images of long queues at theme parks, throngs of people at train platforms, and traffic jams on expressways – in other words, "people, people, everywhere..." Many may have struggled with crowds again this year.
On the other hand, posts on social media during Golden Week often include comments like, "How can people go to such crowded places?" or "I don't want to get caught in such long expressway traffic jams," and "Isn't it better to just stay home?"
So, to what extent are Reiwa youth willing to act, knowing that places will be crowded during this period?
"Wakamono Research" (https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/), a marketing information site targeting teenagers and current high school students, conducted a survey asking 15-19 year olds, "What do you do if a place you want to visit on your day off is extremely crowded?" Here are some of the results.
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【To Companies】
Surveys on teenagers and Gen Z, like this article, can be conducted for your company's products and services.
・Want to utilize the real voices of teenagers and Gen Z in product development
・Want "trending data" that can be used for PR
・Want to create projects that get picked up by the media
Wakamono Research can design the entire process from "survey → article creation → media exposure" consistently. We have actual cases where PR utilizing survey data led to media coverage and social media spread.
Why not design a "trending survey" with us?
▶For achievements and inquiries, contact us here:
contact@wakamono-research.co.jp
▶Wakamono Research Co., Ltd. HP:
https://wakamono-research.co.jp/
====================================================================================================
【64.6% say "If it's crowded, I won't go" – "Crowd fatigue" is a majority opinion more than imagined】
The results of this survey show that 35.4% of young people responded "I'll go even if it's crowded," while 64.6% responded "I won't go because it's crowded." This means approximately two out of three young people said, "If it's crowded, I won't go."
While the public image of young people might include an aspect of "going out to play even if there are many people," it became clear that the sensibility of Reiwa youth is slightly different.
Looking at the opinions of young people who responded "I won't go because it's crowded," an overwhelming number expressed a dislike for crowds themselves, with comments like:
"I hate crowds."
"I'm not good with crowds."
"Crowds are tiring."
"I don't really like crowded places."
"I'm not good with high population density places."
"I get a headache when I go to crowded places."
"I hate crowds, they make me feel sick."
"I don't like many people."
"Crowdedness is tough."
With so many responses, it seems there might be an allergic reaction of "absolutely no to extremely crowded places" that goes beyond just "disliking crowds."
Among them, some even gave very direct comments like:
"I don't even like people themselves."
"Because people are scary."
The survey revealed that more young people perceive crowds as "places that drain physical and mental energy" rather than "places that raise spirits with a festive mood." A slightly different image from the public's perception of "active youth" emerged.
Another prominent theme was the voice of young people concerned with time performance (Tai-pa) and efficiency.
"Bad time performance!"
"It takes so much time when it's crowded, it's completely different from usual."
"If I'm going to spend crowded time there, I'd rather study."
"Time will be wasted."
It seems they hold opinions like, "If it just ends up being waiting in line, isn't that just a waste?" rather than, "It's crowded, but it's Golden Week, so it can't be helped."
It also became clear that not a few young people calculate that it's better to stay home, study, or go on a different day.
Furthermore, the existence of young people who are not particularly attracted to going out was highlighted, with comments like:
"I don't really want to go out in the first place."
"I'm an indoor person."
"Staying home is the best!"
"I want to be a shut-in at my parents' house."
"I want to laze around."
"It's already troublesome just to leave the house, so I don't want to bother going to a crowded place."
Looking at these responses, it seems that even before considering "whether it's crowded or not," the genuine feeling of wanting to stay home on holidays is quite strong. During student days, schedules are packed with school, club activities, part-time jobs, and exam studies, and in reality, "
On the other hand, posts on social media during Golden Week often include comments like, "How can people go to such crowded places?" or "I don't want to get caught in such long expressway traffic jams," and "Isn't it better to just stay home?"
So, to what extent are Reiwa youth willing to act, knowing that places will be crowded during this period?
"Wakamono Research" (https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/), a marketing information site targeting teenagers and current high school students, conducted a survey asking 15-19 year olds, "What do you do if a place you want to visit on your day off is extremely crowded?" Here are some of the results.
====================================================================================================
【To Companies】
Surveys on teenagers and Gen Z, like this article, can be conducted for your company's products and services.
・Want to utilize the real voices of teenagers and Gen Z in product development
・Want "trending data" that can be used for PR
・Want to create projects that get picked up by the media
Wakamono Research can design the entire process from "survey → article creation → media exposure" consistently. We have actual cases where PR utilizing survey data led to media coverage and social media spread.
Why not design a "trending survey" with us?
▶For achievements and inquiries, contact us here:
contact@wakamono-research.co.jp
▶Wakamono Research Co., Ltd. HP:
https://wakamono-research.co.jp/
====================================================================================================
【64.6% say "If it's crowded, I won't go" – "Crowd fatigue" is a majority opinion more than imagined】
The results of this survey show that 35.4% of young people responded "I'll go even if it's crowded," while 64.6% responded "I won't go because it's crowded." This means approximately two out of three young people said, "If it's crowded, I won't go."
While the public image of young people might include an aspect of "going out to play even if there are many people," it became clear that the sensibility of Reiwa youth is slightly different.
Looking at the opinions of young people who responded "I won't go because it's crowded," an overwhelming number expressed a dislike for crowds themselves, with comments like:
"I hate crowds."
"I'm not good with crowds."
"Crowds are tiring."
"I don't really like crowded places."
"I'm not good with high population density places."
"I get a headache when I go to crowded places."
"I hate crowds, they make me feel sick."
"I don't like many people."
"Crowdedness is tough."
With so many responses, it seems there might be an allergic reaction of "absolutely no to extremely crowded places" that goes beyond just "disliking crowds."
Among them, some even gave very direct comments like:
"I don't even like people themselves."
"Because people are scary."
The survey revealed that more young people perceive crowds as "places that drain physical and mental energy" rather than "places that raise spirits with a festive mood." A slightly different image from the public's perception of "active youth" emerged.
Another prominent theme was the voice of young people concerned with time performance (Tai-pa) and efficiency.
"Bad time performance!"
"It takes so much time when it's crowded, it's completely different from usual."
"If I'm going to spend crowded time there, I'd rather study."
"Time will be wasted."
It seems they hold opinions like, "If it just ends up being waiting in line, isn't that just a waste?" rather than, "It's crowded, but it's Golden Week, so it can't be helped."
It also became clear that not a few young people calculate that it's better to stay home, study, or go on a different day.
Furthermore, the existence of young people who are not particularly attracted to going out was highlighted, with comments like:
"I don't really want to go out in the first place."
"I'm an indoor person."
"Staying home is the best!"
"I want to be a shut-in at my parents' house."
"I want to laze around."
"It's already troublesome just to leave the house, so I don't want to bother going to a crowded place."
Looking at these responses, it seems that even before considering "whether it's crowded or not," the genuine feeling of wanting to stay home on holidays is quite strong. During student days, schedules are packed with school, club activities, part-time jobs, and exam studies, and in reality, "