日本語は下に。When planning a family trip to Japan, it’s essential to consider the local school holiday periods, as popular attractions often get crowded with families. Here’s a breakdown of Japan’s main school holiday seasons and tips to plan around them!
1. Spring Break (Late March to Early April)
- Duration: Typically from March 25 to April 5, depending on the school.
- Details: This short break marks the end of the school year and often overlaps with cherry blossom season, drawing both locals and tourists to parks and sightseeing spots.
- Travel Tip: If you want to see cherry blossoms during spring break (March 25–April 5), consider going early in the morning or exploring suburban areas to avoid crowds. Avoid children-centered indoor facilities, which can get very busy. If your schedule allows, visiting northern Japan in mid or late April offers cherry blossoms with fewer crowds.
2. Golden Week (Late April to Early May)
- Duration: April 29 to May 5.
- Details: Golden Week includes four public holidays within one week, making it a very popular travel period. While sightseeing areas are crowded, business districts like Marunouchi (Tokyo Station) are quieter as many offices are closed, though accommodation and transportation prices remain high.
- Travel Tip: Avoid this period if possible, as transportation, hotels, and attractions will be crowded and prices are at their peak. If you’re visiting Tokyo, business areas like Marunouchi might be less crowded compared to tourist spots.
3. Summer Vacation (Late July to Late August)
- Duration: Typically from around July 20 to August 31.
- Details: Japanese schools close for a month-long summer break, and many families travel to popular destinations like amusement parks, beaches, and summer festivals.
- Travel Tip: I would suggest planning your trip for June or October to avoid both the crowds and the intense summer weather. September can also be a better option, as school resumes in early September; however, note that university students may not return until late September.
4. Obon Festival (Mid-August)
- Duration: Around August 13–16.
- Details: Although not an official school holiday, Obon falls in the middle of summer vacation. It is a traditional holiday when Japanese families return to their hometowns to honor ancestors, and many people travel, making transportation and hotels busier.
- Travel Tip: Trains, highways, and airports are especially crowded during this period. Plan for delays, or if possible, avoid travel during these days.
5. Silver Week (Late September)
- Duration: Silver Week takes place in the second half of September, with exact dates varying each year. It usually includes two or three public holidays.
- Details: Although not as widely celebrated as Golden Week, Silver Week can see an increase in travel as locals enjoy a long weekend or extended holiday.
- Travel Tip: Check the calendar to confirm the dates for Silver Week, as they can vary each year. If visiting Japan in late September, plan around these dates to avoid crowds.
6. Winter Break (Late December to Early January)
- Duration: December 25 to January 7.
- Details: Winter break coincides with the New Year, a major holiday in Japan. Many families visit temples and shrines for hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the new year) and gather to celebrate.
- Travel Tip: Temples, shrines, and popular spots are especially crowded around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Arriving in mid-January allows you to enjoy winter festivities without the holiday crowds.
Final Tips for Avoiding Crowds:
- Avoid Weekends: Even outside holiday periods, weekends can be busy at popular attractions.
- Book in Advance: If visiting during these periods, book accommodations and major attractions well in advance.
- Plan for Off-Peak Times: Early morning and late afternoon are generally quieter times at popular sites.
- Best Times to Visit Japan: The ideal months are mid-April, late May, November, and early December. These months are perfect for avoiding the extreme cold of winter, the humid summer, and the major school vacations. If you are strong in coldness, add mid and late January and whole February. It is lowest travel season. If you are super strong in humidity, add July, Aug, and September. I would not do it though!
But of course, don’t stress if your timing doesn’t perfectly align—come when you can, and enjoy Japan!If you absolutely have to travel during a busy season, here are a few ways I try to make the experience more comfortable:
- Check the crowd calendar for theme parks and popular attractions
- Avoid visiting indoor facilities during weekends in the middle of the day, especially on very hot or cold days
- Adjust the timing and location of visits to avoid peak hours
By planning around these points, you can avoid some of the crowds and enjoy a more comfortable trip with your kids!
小さい子供と旅行。混みそうな場所に行くの、疲れますよね。私は混雑はなるべく避けたい。
特にディズニーなど絶対に混むのがわかっている場所に行く時は、これをとても意識します。
みんな誰でも日本人だったら知ってると思うけれど、学校の休みシーズンを改めて意識すると混雑を避けやすいですよ！私の対策ポイントもまとめました。
1. 春休み（3月下旬～4月上旬）
- 期間：3月25日～4月5日頃
- ポイント：ちょうど桜の時期と重なり、観光スポットは超混雑！早朝に行くか、少し郊外のスポットを狙うと比較的ゆっくり見られます。4月中旬から下旬に北の地域へ行くと、桜をゆっくり楽しめるかも。
2. ゴールデンウィーク（4月下旬～5月上旬）
- 期間：4月29日～5月5日
- ポイント：この時期は大型連休で、旅行する人が多くどこも賑わいます。宿泊費や交通費も高めに！都心のビジネス街（東京駅周辺など）は比較的空いていることもありますが、全体的に混雑するので注意が必要。
3. 夏休み（7月下旬～8月下旬）
- 期間：7月20日～8月31日頃
- ポイント：長くて暑い夏休み中は屋内に家族連れが増え、屋外は特に遊園地やビーチ、夏祭りなどが特に土日賑わいます。
4. お盆（8月中旬）
- 期間：8月13日～16日頃
- ポイント：夏休みの途中にある伝統行事で、多くの人が実家に帰省するため、移動が混み合います。特に電車や高速道路、空港が混雑するので、予定を調整できるならこの時期を避けるのがベター。でも、ゴールデンウィークと同じくこの時期はビジネスエリアは空いてるのでランチなどは穴場。
5. シルバーウィーク（9月下旬）
- 期間：毎年日程が少しずれるが、9月後半の祝日が重なる週
- ポイント：ゴールデンウィークほどではありませんが、連休になると混雑します。事前に日程を確認し、観光地を訪れる際には朝早めの行動が◎。
6. 冬休み（12月下旬～1月上旬）
- 期間：12月25日～1月7日頃
- ポイント：年末年始の時期は、神社仏閣に初詣に行く人が多く、特に元旦は明治神宮などの有名神社は混雑します。人気の場所は1月中旬−２月に行くと、冬の景色を楽しみながらゆっくり観光できます。
結局、混雑を避けたいなら？
- おすすめシーズン：4月中旬〜5月下旬、11月、12月上旬！寒い冬や蒸し暑い夏、学校の休みシーズンも避けられます。うちは、混雑すると本当に面倒な場所、例えばディズニーとかはこの時期に行くことにしています。もちろん寒さに強ければ１月と２月は、一番旅行業界のローシーズンなのでそれもベストです。
とは言っても、未就園児はまだしも、学校に通いだした子供たちはどうしても学校の休み時期しか行けない、となりますよね。その時期に行かなくてはならない場合、私たちは少しでも快適に過ごせるように、以下の工夫をしています：
- 遊園地などでは混雑カレンダーをチェックする
- インドア施設には、寒い日や暑い日の土日の日中には行かない
- 訪れる時間帯や場所をずらす
このようにして、少しでも混雑を避け、快適に楽しめるよう心がけています！子供が親と旅してくれる時期なんて限られているので、みなさんもお子さんと旅行を楽しんでくださいね☺️
