Chinese New Year travel to Japan
You want the family together over the holiday, and everyone else seems to be going somewhere too.
Seasons and when to go
Golden Week versus Malaysian holidays
You have a Malaysian break in late April or May and wonder how it fits Japan's busiest week.
Golden Week is Japan’s busiest holiday cluster, and in 2027 it runs around 29 April and 3 to 5 May. Malaysian public holidays in 2027 fall mostly just after it, so you can avoid the peak by shifting a week or by choosing quieter regions.
What is Golden Week?
Japan’s national holidays in the period are Showa Day on 29 April, Constitution Memorial Day on 3 May, Greenery Day on 4 May and Children’s Day on 5 May. A holiday that falls on a Sunday moves to the next non-holiday day, and a non-holiday between two holidays also becomes a holiday 1.
In 2027, 29 April is a Thursday and 3 to 5 May are Monday to Wednesday. Many people take the days between, so travel is busy across the whole window.
What are the Malaysian holidays in 2027?
Malaysia’s federal public holidays for 2027 include Chinese New Year on 6 and 7 February, Hari Raya Puasa on 10 and 11 March, Labour Day on 1 May, Hari Raya Qurban on 17 and 18 May and Wesak Day on 20 May. Some dates are subject to change 2.
School holidays are set separately by the Education Ministry. Check the school calendar for your children before you fix dates.
How do the two calendars overlap?
| Period | Japan | Malaysia (2027) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 April to 5 May. | Golden Week, peak travel. | Labour Day on Saturday 1 May. |
| 17 to 20 May. | Normal weeks. | Hari Raya Qurban and Wesak Day. |
| February and March. | Quieter. | Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa. |
The Malaysian holidays after Golden Week fall in a calmer part of the Japanese calendar. That can help families who want a quieter trip.
What should you do if you must go during Golden Week?
Book early and choose carefully.
- Reserve hotels and trains as soon as dates are fixed.
- Avoid long train rides on the first and last days of the holiday.
- Choose quieter regions, such as Hokkaido or Tohoku, or stay in one base.
- Keep a spare day in case of delays.
Read off-peak and shoulder season value and Malaysian school holidays and Japan seasons.
Which other Japanese holidays matter?
Marine Day falls on the third Monday of July, Mountain Day on 11 August, Respect for the Aged Day on the third Monday of September, Sports Day on the second Monday of October, Culture Day on 3 November and Labor Thanksgiving Day on 23 November. Obon is not a national holiday 3.
Check each against your dates. See Ramadan and Hari Raya timing and Chinese New Year in Japan for Malaysian families.
What should Malaysian travellers remember?
Malaysian citizens with an ICAO-compliant biometric passport can enter Japan for up to 90 days without a visa 4. Check the school calendar, then book flights and hotels before trains. Send us your leave dates and we map them to Japan’s calendar. Our school holiday two-week plan helps with longer trips.
If your leave falls in late April or May, send us the exact dates and who is travelling. We check them against Japanese holidays and suggest dates, regions and booking order.
Keep planning
Match Malaysian school holidays to Japan's seasons
Each school break lands in a different Japanese season, and you want to know what you will meet.
Japan's year-end and New Year closures
Your family break falls over the year-end, and you want to know what will be shut.
Japan trip timing around Ramadan and Raya
You want a Japan trip that respects fasting and still makes use of the Raya leave.
Shoulder seasons that cut crowds and cost
You want fewer crowds and a lower bill, and will trade a little weather for it.
Malaysian school holidays and Japan trip timing
The school break is fixed, and you want to know which weeks in Japan will be the hardest.
Questions travellers ask
When is Golden Week in Japan?
It is the cluster of national holidays around 29 April and 3, 4 and 5 May: Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day. In 2027 the dates fall on a Thursday and then Monday to Wednesday. Many Japanese take the days in between off, so travel is busy across the whole window.
Do Malaysian holidays overlap with Golden Week in 2027?
Partly. Labour Day on 1 May 2027 falls on a Saturday, and Hari Raya Qurban follows on 17 and 18 May, with Wesak Day on 20 May. Those are close to, but after, Golden Week. School holidays are set separately by the Education Ministry, so check the school calendar for your children.
Is Golden Week a bad time to visit?
It is the busiest and most expensive time for domestic travel, so trains, hotels and sights are full. If you must go then, book early, avoid peak days for long train rides and choose quieter regions. Otherwise shift your trip a week either side.
Which other Japanese holidays should I check?
Mountain Day on 11 August, Marine Day in July, Respect for the Aged Day in September, Sports Day in October and Culture Day on 3 November are national holidays. Obon is not a national holiday. We check each against your dates.
Sources
Figures are checked against these sources and dated so you can see how current they are.
- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, National holidaysaccessed 2026-10-20
- Prime Minister's Department, Malaysia, Federal and state public holidays 2027accessed 2026-10-20
- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, National holidaysaccessed 2026-10-20
- Embassy of Japan in Malaysiaaccessed 2026-10-20
Ready to shape your Japan trip?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you hope to see. We will reply with ideas and a tailored quote.