anyone been to japan for holiday during the 1 January New Year period?

is it true that all shops are closed during those period?

Been watching too many youtube on Japan food during MCO... hope can make a safe trip there soon..without the need for self quarantine hassle

It’s the golden week and also the biggest celebration in Japan..it’s literary their new year so yes there will be a lot of things closed and super crowded.

The way the Health Ministry is talking about tightening borders, it doesn’t seem like they will ever let citizens out to travel

When the borders reopen, if they do yeah the hurdle will be quarantine. Doesn’t make sense to have 14 days there and 14 days back quarantining.

i went there for New Year Countdown this year in Tokyo. 30th Dec till 7th Jan. Night of new year eve I was at Asakusa Sensoji Temple. Very happening.

most japanese local shops or non tourist related shop outside on the street were closed including restaurants from 30th Dec onwards till 4th or 5th Jan. Some gov tourist area may closed as well. but those restaurant chains like McD or KFC or MOS burger & some 24/7 japanese restaurant chains will remain open. Branded shops, Shopping Malls and Shopping Streets all open because this is the period they do sales. i means a lot of sales. Their sales is very serious 1. not like here old stock or fake 50% 70% off tag. Some lucky bag are really worth it but i didnt buy because although it worth more than the value but i never really use all of the items inside. So i just shop for normal items that on sales.

Crowd in Tokyo during this time seem lesser than normal. I guess many balik kampung already. I did a side trip to Hakone as well.

Well it is not a bad idea to travel to Japan during New Year for me. Just that need to take care of your wallet so it wont over bleeding .

Thanks for the experience! I thought everything will be closed.

How about train stations?

Some said the train station will be really crowded and you might not get seats (travelling from one town to another town). Is this true?

And are hotel rates more expensive during that period?

If u mean train station crowded like office hour rush then it is not like that. More like weekend crowd for me. U sometimes get seat sometimes may need to stand a while. But no sardine pack. Just that there is a day when we go asakusa we felt really crowded & packed. Not sure what happen but from asakusa station to street to temple its all ppl. I nvr see asakusa so many ppl during my previous 2 trip to tokyo. Must be locals want to pray pray at the famous temple. Thats the only time we felt over crowded. Other than that travelling around tokyo by train just like normal weekend crowd.

My trip to Hakone is on reserve seat. But i also didn't feel very crowded.

As long as Japan MOFA doesn't lift the restriction for travellers, then need to wait.
At the moment, Japan and Vietnam are in discussion to allow business people to go to Japan. Australia and NZ are also in this same discussion.
Source: click me!! : )

thx for the input

i am just afraid that reservation seats might be fully booked

U can book before u go.

can you book the train seats there from Malaysia?

Yes for some tickets its possible. Here is a guide for easy explanation.

https://centrip-japan.com/article/1077.html

Likely we will be able to visit Japan soon ..

Should be around August - Sept

U have been to Wakkanai before?

Is there anything interesting there?

If you look at my Signature section. I got put Wakkanai.
This place more happening during winter.
Wakkanai most famous spot are most sign of north of Japan. It also Japan most north train station.

yup I saw your signature

what about it during winter? is it the coldest part of Hokkaido? the thickest snow?

If you want thick snow then Abashiri

Just get sms from airasia saying my flight to osaka on aug has been reshedule 1 hour earlier. I hoping they cancel my flight, instead, they reschedule


This post has been edited by iXora.ix: Jun 23 2020, 10:50 PM

My coming flight to Japan is in October , hopefully border reopened