Travel Trends for Golden Week 2026: Insights from HIS Reservations

Overview of HIS Travel Trends for Golden Week 2026

As the Golden Week approaches in Japan from April 24 to May 6, 2026, HIS (Hankyu Hanshin Express) has revealed compelling insights into travel reservations made during this period. The survey conducted on March 23, 2026, assessed travelers booking various HIS products, including tours, dynamic packages, and air tickets, excluding accommodations.

Market Context

The current geopolitical tension in the Middle East has led to the temporary closure of some airspaces and airports, along with flight cancellations by Middle Eastern airlines. Despite this, other regional airlines continue operations normally, adjusting flight paths to ensure safety. Concerns loom over the potential increase in fuel surcharges due to surging crude oil prices, which could affect travel costs in the future.

Favorable Calendars

This year's Golden Week provides an excellent opportunity for travel, featuring back-to-back weekends and holidays, creating a five-day vacation. Additionally, with strategic use of four weekdays off in April, travelers can maximize time off, potentially extending their holidays to a consecutive twelve days.

Summary of Reservations

1. International Travel: Booking numbers have surged to 126.7% year-on-year, with an average price of ¥218,400, marking a 4.3% increase.
2. Domestic Travel: Reservations increased by 138.3% compared to last year, though average prices saw a slight dip to ¥92,600.
3. Peak Travel Days: For both domestic and international trips, May 2nd stands out as the top departure date.

International Travel Insights

The overall bookings for international travel show a remarkable growth of 126.7% compared to the previous year, with the average cost per trip rising to ¥218,400. This indicates a shift towards more high-end and distant travel options. With a favorable calendar allowing for extended holidays, the most popular departure date is May 2nd, followed by April 29th and May 1st.

Asian destinations dominate international bookings, especially in East Asia, which accounts for 41.2% of the total. Long-distance routes are also performing well, particularly in Europe, with a notable rise of 134.2%. In contrast, bookings to the Middle East have dropped significantly to 82.6% compared to last year’s figures.

Popular travel spots remain traditional, but Jeju Island is gaining momentum, likely due to the significant influx of cruise passengers in large vessels. With departures on high-value cruises from Japan seeing an astounding increase of 354.1%, the cruise market is flourishing this Golden Week.

Domestic Travel Insights

Much like international travel, domestic travel reservations have also seen a striking increase of 138.3%. The average price for domestic trips has stabilized at ¥92,600. Aligning with international travel trends, the busiest day remains May 2nd, followed closely by May 3rd. Travelers show a strong inclination to embark on trips at the beginning or during the breaks of the holiday.

Most sought-after domestic destinations reflect previous patterns, though significant growth is visible in all prefectures except Osaka last year, which experienced a unique situation due to the World Expo. Notably, Okinawa has surged to the top of the list with a 149.1% increase in bookings, showcasing the enthusiasm for domestic travel, despite higher average costs of ¥106,600.

As we look towards the Golden Week, HIS's findings underscore the growing appetite for travel both domestically and internationally, indicating a robust recovery in the tourism sector post-pandemic.

For more details, visit the HIS Golden Week special page: HIS Golden Week Special
(Note: For data citation, please reference HIS “2026 Golden Week Travel Reservation Trends.”)