How to spend Golden Week in Tokyo this year

Golden Week is packed with exciting events taking place all across Tokyo. After several pandemic-affected Golden Week holidays, this is sure to be one of the most action-packed spring holidays in years.

For those of you spending Golden Week in Tokyo, we’ve rounded up the best events happening in the city, including food bazaars, outdoor cinemas, art exhibitions, flower festivals and more. 

Indulging in Tokyo's many food and drink festivals is one of the best ways to enjoy the cool spring weather. These gourmet events are poping up all around the city, with everything from beer gardens to meat festivals waiting to be enjoyed.

Tokyo's food and drink festivals are also great places to try classic Japanese dishes like ramen, yakiniku and curry. And that's not to mention the opportunity to savour some of Tokyo's best brews.

Golden Week is a great opportunity to catch the top art exhibitions taking place in Tokyo's most popular galleries. This spring, you see everything from an exhibition dedicated to Japanese contemporary artist Hajime Sorayama to a solo exhibition exploring the works of internationally renowned photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa.

Sweating it out in a sauna is serious business in Japan, where the culture revolves around totonou – a term describing the blissful state achieved after cycles of heat, cold plunges and rest. Often described as euphoric or even dreamlike, it’s become the ultimate goal for sauna lovers.

As sauna culture has boomed over the past decade, Japan has developed a distinctive approach to high-temperature relaxation. Aficionados debate the perfect routine, while a whole industry of sauna gear – from hats to towels – has emerged. With more facilities than ever, no two saunas are the same, with factors like temperature, design and extras such as aufguss shaping the experience. To help you find the best, we’ve rounded up nine standout spots across Tokyo.

When the weather starts to warm up, Tokyoites hit the great outdoors for some of the best things to do in the city: strolling Tokyo's lush parks, marvelling at a Japanese garden, catching free works of art, and even dining up high at these stunning rooftop restaurants and bars. Spring is a particularly lovely time to hang out outdoors before the arrival of summer's sweltering heat. So order your cocktail, take in the picturesque city skyline and raise a glass to Tokyo's spectacular views.

If you’re up for a proper cultural excursion to see rare paintings and site-specific installations, it’s worth making a day trip to the nearby prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa or Saitama for art destinations where you can also stretch your legs in nature.

Take an art day trip from Tokyo this Golden Week to see everything from a farm with two Yayoi Kusama installations to a museum with a natural hot spring foot bath.

Shopping is definitely an exciting experience, especially when it doesn't bore a hole in your wallet. For that, all you need to do is make an easy day trip out to these outlet malls and discount stores near Tokyo – namely in Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa.

Sometimes the hustle and bustle of the city can be too much, but luckily, you don't have to go far before you're in the great outdoors – the Greater Tokyo region is full of nature parks to escape to.

But if you're less about admiring the view and more about adventure then these spots are for you. From family-friendly theme parks to adventure playgrounds and even an urban farm, these outdoor attractions make for a great day trip from the city centre.