Survey Reveals Nearly 66% Experience Smartphone Charging Anxiety During Golden Week

Introduction

As the Golden Week approaches, many people in Japan gear up for a season of travel, dining out, and socializing. A recent survey conducted by INFORICH, the company behind the mobile battery-sharing service CHARGESPOT™, highlights some daunting realities about smartphone usage during this busy period.

Survey Overview

To grasp the dynamics of smartphone usage and charging practices during Golden Week 2026, INFORICH surveyed 4,271 users of the CHARGESPOT app. The results reveal a pervasive anxiety related to smartphone battery life among users engaged in various activities over the holiday.

Key Findings

1. Outdoor Activities: A substantial 25.3% of respondents reported dining out, while another 25% embarked on domestic travels. This trend underscores the resurgence of tourism and social activities post-COVID-19. Notably, around 34.4% of the participants reported spending over 30,000 yen during their outings, reinforcing the idea that Golden Week serves as a significant consumption event.

2. Smartphone Usage: The most common uses for smartphones while out were photography and videography (66.4%), navigating with maps and GPS (63.1%), and cashless payments (63.7%). These activities naturally lead to rapid battery depletion, contributing to widespread concern about charging availability.

3. Charging Anxiety: Alarming data revealed that 66.4% of respondents experienced anxiety about their smartphone's battery life during their outings. This indicates that for many, charging infrastructure has transitioned from a luxury to a necessity in modern daily life.

4. Concerns Regarding Charging: The primary concern among those fearing a low battery was the inability to engage in cashless transactions, cited by 51.8% of participants. Other concerns included difficulty staying in touch with family and friends (48.2%), inability to access maps and navigation functions (47.7%), and loss of capability to take photos and videos (30%). This shows that smartphones are fundamentally integral to the Golden Week experience.

5. Charging Demand: An impressive 76.6% of respondents charged their phones while out. Notably, 27.4% reported needing to charge at least four times during their outings. This highlights the escalating need for accessible charging options, as many find a single charge to be insufficient during extensive outings.

Conclusion

The insights from this survey reveal that ensuring smartphone charging availability has become vital for today’s consumers, especially as cashless payment methods rise in adoption. The effects of a dead battery can instantly diminish the joy of being out and about during festive occasions like Golden Week. In response, CHARGESPOT plans to expand its charging infrastructure in popular travel destinations, parks, and shopping centers, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their outings without the worry of running out of battery.

About CHARGESPOT

CHARGESPOT is a leader in mobile battery-sharing services in Japan, allowing users to easily rent mobile chargers through a straightforward app-based system. As of March 2026, they have approximately 60,000 charging stations spread across all 47 prefectures, with plans for further expansion internationally including regions like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

For more information about the CHARGESPOT service, you can visit their official website or download their app for easy access to charging solutions.