What to do during Golden Week? 12 recommended things to do in the Kanto region, including gourmet food, events, and stunning views

Enjoy the extraordinary at Golden Week-only events

From annual events to seasonal customs, there are plenty of things to enjoy during Golden Week. There are many spots throughout the country that are perfect for families, couples, and friends. Another perk of this time of year is being able to discover the unique charms of each region in a lively atmosphere.

[Kanagawa] Experience a German spring festival at the Yokohama Frühlings Fest 2025!

It is about a 6-minute walk from Bashamichi Station on the Minatomirai Line. The Yokohama Frühlings Fest 2025, held annually at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, a famous tourist spot, is a popular event that recreates a German spring festival. The event, which will be held for the 11th time in 2025, will be held for 12 days from April 25th (Friday) to May 6th (Tuesday, national holiday), creating a gorgeous space full of exotic atmosphere.

The venue will feature a beer counter over 30 meters long, with a wide selection of gourmet food, including authentic craft beer and sausages. There will also be live German music performances, attractions for kids, and an empty-handed BBQ area, so everyone from children to adults can have a great time.

At dusk, the outdoor theater "SEASIDE CINEMA" will be open, taking advantage of the seaside location. The luxurious experience of watching a movie while looking at the night view of Minato Mirai is a pleasure unique to Yokohama. This is the perfect event to create spring memories with your family, friends, or partner.

Yokohama Frühlings Fest 2025

[Gunma] "Koinobori Village Festival" also recognized as a world record! 4,000 Koinobori swim with the wind

About an hour and a half's drive from Tokyo, the Koinobori Village Festival is held every year in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture, where 4,000 carp streamers of all sizes fly through the blue sky, creating a spring spectacle. In May 2005, it was recognized by the Guinness World Records for the number of carp streamers raised, 5,283, and the spectacular sight fascinates visitors.

The festival is held around Tsuruoda River and Kondo Numa, where colorful carp streamers flutter in the wind, making it a popular photo spot. The Cherry Blossom Festival and Azalea Festival are also held at the same time, and at the Azalea Festival, over 100 varieties of azaleas, totaling about 10,000 plants, bloom in Tsutsujigaoka Park.

Furthermore, there are many historical sites scattered around the city, such as the ruins of Tatebayashi Castle, the Tayama Katai Memorial Museum of Literature, and the Flour Museum. With the arrival of spring, why not enjoy the beauty of Japanese tradition and nature in Tatebayashi?

Carp Streamer Village Festival

[Tochigi] Find your favorite pottery at the Mashiko Pottery Market

About 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from Tokyo. The Mashiko Pottery Market, held in Mashiko Town, Tochigi Prefecture, is a traditional event that has been held since 1966. It is held twice a year, in spring and autumn, and the spring pottery market is held during Golden Week. The 2025 Spring Pottery Market will be held for 8 days from April 29th (Tuesday, national holiday) to May 6th (Tuesday, national holiday).

At the Mashiko Pottery Fair, there are about 50 stores and over 600 tents. A wide variety of Mashiko ware, from everyday tableware to artistic works, is on sale at a discount. In addition, around the venue of the fair, there are facilities where you can experience pottery making and museums where you can learn about the history of Mashiko ware, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the charm of Mashiko ware.

Enjoy the charm of Mashiko Town while searching for your favorite pottery.

Mashiko Pottery Market

Enjoy local gourmet food and limited edition foods you'll want to try during Golden Week!

You can't go wrong with a plan to enjoy delicious food. In the Kanto area, gourmet events are held only during this time of year, with limited menus and a wide selection of local flavors. Another recommendation is to enjoy eating your way around the area you're interested in.

[Tokyo] Eat as much meat as you want at the "Meat Fest"!

"Niku Fes®" is a regular Golden Week event that attracts many meat lovers. In 2025, the "Niku Fes® 2025 TOKYO Steak King Championship" will be held at a special venue in Odaiba, Tokyo, a two-minute walk from the Yurikamome "Tokyo International Cruise Terminal" station. The event will run for 11 days from April 26th (Saturday) to May 6th (Tuesday, national holiday).

This event will bring together a selection of famous meat restaurants from all over Japan. 13 restaurants will be serving their signature steaks. Visitors will be able to compare the different steaks and vote for their favorite. In addition to steaks, there will also be hamburgers, beef cutlets, fried chicken and a variety of other meat dishes to enjoy, making this an irresistible event for meat lovers.

The venue also has VIP seats where dogs are allowed, so families and pets can enjoy themselves comfortably. There are also live performances and attractions planned, so there will be plenty of entertainment other than food.

This event, which brings together popular meat delicacies from all over the country, is truly a "meat lover's paradise." The appeal of the "Meat Festival" is that you can enjoy music and activities while stuffing your cheeks with juicy meat. It's a chance to taste the flavors of famous restaurants you've been interested in all at once. Come and spend a day that will satisfy both your stomach and your heart.

Meat Festival® 2025 TOKYO Steak King Championship

[Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa] Enjoy eating your way around nearby areas

There are plenty of places to casually stop by and enjoy food in and around Tokyo. Taking a stroll around the city and trying out different delicious foods is a popular way to spend Golden Week.

For example, in Asakusa, a place full of traditional Tokyo atmosphere, you can take a leisurely stroll from Kaminarimon to Nakamise-dori with some Japanese sweets such as dango and matcha drinks in hand. Shin-Okubo is the epicenter of Korean cuisine and is full of photogenic foods, from cheese hot dogs to cute cat-shaped puddings.

In addition, Yokohama Chinatown and Kawagoe in Saitama are also popular areas in the Kanto area. In Yokohama Chinatown, the "Dailongbao" (600 yen) at Kaikarou Yokohama Daisekai Branch is very popular. The large xiaolongbao overflowing with hot gravy makes a big impact. Another attraction is that you can enjoy a stroll around the surrounding Minato Mirai area at the same time.

Kawagoe, with its beautiful warehouse-style streets, is lined with gourmet foods that exude the atmosphere of Little Edo, such as sweet potato chips and warabi mochi, making it a fun place to just walk around. If you choose a destination based on what you want to eat and your mood, your day over the long weekend is sure to be even more fulfilling.

* Eating while walking is prohibited. Please enjoy your meal with good manners, such as by using the eating and drinking spaces provided at stores.

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The latest food guide for Yokohama Chinatown. A thorough introduction to 15 of the best restaurants!

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Kawagoe Food Walking Map: 15 Shops. A trip to try the latest sweets and popular long-established shops.

Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, is known as "Little Edo." The streets lined with atmospheric storehouses are full of restaurants, making it a popular food spot. We will introduce 15 of the latest gourmet restaurants, including a map, centered around Kawagoe's main street, Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street.

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[Tokyo] Make your day more fulfilling with breakfast

Mornings are one of the joys of traveling. Why not get up a little earlier than usual and start your day with breakfast at a stylish cafe or hotel?

TASTE THE WORLD, located just a one-minute walk from Shinjuku-Sanchome subway station, is a restaurant with the concept of "breakfasts from around the world," with a menu that changes every two months. You might discover a taste that brings back memories of your travels, or a new taste for the first time.

We also recommend having breakfast at a retro coffee shop. At Lodge Akaishi in Asakusa, you can relax and enjoy their morning service, which is only available from 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, why not indulge yourself with an in-room breakfast at a luxury hotel? At The Peninsula Tokyo, you can enjoy an elegant breakfast while looking at the view from the window, which is a very special experience.

How you spend your morning can greatly affect your mood for the rest of the day. Have a delicious breakfast and make your day a memorable one.

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8 hidden morning spots in Tokyo. Recharge your energy at restaurants that are open from early in the morning

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Choose your own morning time. Wake up to a luxurious trip with a hotel in-room breakfast.

Your trip will be even more luxurious if you spend a special time starting with breakfast, the start of your day. We will introduce you to the blissful morning experience at The Peninsula Tokyo, which offers a unique in-room dining breakfast and relaxing time.

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Seeking healing. Spending Golden Week surrounded by nature

Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, spending time peacefully is a unique way to spend a long holiday. The season of beautiful new greenery is a time when it is comfortable to spend time in nature. You can enjoy forest bathing, scenic spots, and waterfront scenery that will make you want to take a deep breath. Taking a break from busyness and surrendering yourself to the tranquility during Golden Week is sure to be an unforgettable memory.

[Tochigi] Admire the magnificent wisteria trellis at Ashikaga Flower Park

Every spring, Ashikaga Flower Park's Fuji no Hana Monogatari - Great Wisteria Festival becomes a hot topic. In 2025, it is scheduled to be held from April 12th (Sat) to May 18th (Sun). In the park, more than 350 wisteria trees are blooming in a variety of colors, including a 600-tatami-mat wisteria trellis that is over 160 years old and a white wisteria tunnel. This spectacular view, which can only be seen at this time of year, makes you feel as if you are walking through a shower of flowers.

During the period, the park will be lit up, and when the sun goes down, the atmosphere inside will be transformed into a fantastic one. The wisteria flowers, which show different expressions during the day and at night, are a beauty you will never forget once you see them.

It's just over two hours by train from Ueno Station. It's easily accessible from the station, and just a short walk from the nearest Ashikaga Flower Park Station on the JR Ryomo Line. It's the perfect spot for those who want to relax and be soothed by nature.

Ashikaga Flower Park

[Chiba] Experience nature nearby at "KURKKU FIELDS"

KURKKU FIELDS, located in Kisarazu, Chiba, about an hour and a half drive from central Tokyo, is a sustainable complex that allows you to spend your holidays in nature. The vast grounds are dotted with organic farms, dairy farms, bakeries, restaurants, art spaces, and more, allowing adults and children alike to enjoy their time in their own way.

The restaurant, which serves dishes made with ingredients grown on the premises, and the bakery, which sells freshly baked bread, are popular with food lovers. Food tastes even better when eaten in the midst of nature. The art and architecture are also part of the charm of this place, and you can get inspiration while walking around.

At the Creative Park in the center of the facility, children can run around freely, and there are plenty of activities the whole family can enjoy, such as interacting with animals and experiencing agriculture. It's a place where you can refresh yourself in nature, close to the city center.

KURKKU FIELDS

[Tokyo] If you visit Jindai Botanical Gardens, you can also enjoy a stroll around the surrounding area.

Jindai Botanical Gardens is conveniently located just 20 minutes by train from Shinjuku. You can enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year, but May is especially recommended. The rose garden in the gardens is in full bloom, and you'll be surrounded by vibrant flowers and sweet fragrances.

The area is also home to the charming temple town of Jindaiji. The "Rakuyaki" experience, where you can make your own original pottery, is gaining popularity on social media. Another great thing about this experience is that you can just drop in without making a reservation, which makes for great memories. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll and experience while basking in the lingering scent of roses.

Jindai Botanical Gardens

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Don't worry about anyone, just be yourself. Enjoy Golden Week alone.

Just because it's Golden Week doesn't mean you have to go out somewhere or spend time with people every day. Don't you sometimes want to spend some quiet time alone? At times like these, you can enjoy a little luxury or gently reward yourself for your hard work by choosing a "solo spot." Here we will introduce you to places where you can relax and refresh your mind and body.

[Tokyo] Enjoy the sauna and manga to your heart's content at "Tokyo Bathhouse"

"Tokyo Bathhouse," located a minute's walk from Nishikoyama Station and tucked away in the city, is a perfect place for sauna lovers and book lovers to relax. Once you step inside, you'll find a stylish space that overturns the image of a public bathhouse.

The museum has a huge two-story bookshelf packed with about 7,000 manga books, so you can read as much as you like after your bath. The genres range from popular works to nostalgic classics, and you'll likely lose track of time.

The "Okomori Sauna" is also popular, where you can relax in your own private space (reservation required). There are also many other unique features, such as the "Fronaka Bookstore District," where people can rent out shelves to sell books they have selected.

Tokyo Bathhouse

[Tokyo] Sharpen your senses at the Artizon Museum

Walking around a bustling city and enjoying gourmet food are great, but sometimes it's important to take some time to face your own sensibilities in a quiet space. The Artizon Museum in Kyobashi, Tokyo is a spot where you can do just that.

Not only is there a wide range of exhibits, from impressionist to modern art, but the spacious interior is a comfortable space with natural light pouring in. You can take your time to explore alone and reset your mind.

Although it's conveniently located just a five-minute walk from Tokyo Station, it's still relatively unknown and one of its charms is that it's a hidden gem. It's also within walking distance of Ginza and Nihonbashi, so it's great for popping in after shopping or visiting cafes.

Artizon Museum

[Kanagawa] Enjoy a staycation at "The Ryokan Tokyo YUGAWARA"

If you want to quietly immerse yourself in your own world, head to "THE RYOKAN TOKYO YUGAWARA," a hot spring inn in Yugawara. Here, you can enjoy a "secluded stay" that combines hot springs, reading, and craftsmanship. It takes just over two hours to get there from Tokyo Station.

One of the most popular experiences is the original ink making experience. You can freely combine nine different colors of ingredients to create your own "color" from over 900 colors, just like an adult's independent research project. You can test the finished ink with a glass pen and take it home with you.

Another unique feature is the reading plan, which allows you to immerse yourself in the world of books. With the "Tsundoku Clear Pack," you can bring along a book you've been reading or read the books available in the building, and discovering new stories is one of the attractions of this inn.

Why not try spending some quiet time just for yourself in a space that will soothe your senses while you soothe yourself in the famous hot springs?

THE RYOKAN TOKYO YUGAWARA

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Whether you're active or relaxed, spend Golden Week however you like

From lively events to relaxing natural spots and soothing lodgings perfect for some solitude, there are plenty of fun ways to spend Golden Week in and around the Kanto region.

This area is unique in that you can spend a special time just by going a little further, without having to go far. If you find a spot that interests you, be sure to include it in your holiday plans and enjoy your own Golden Week!

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