An estimated 23.3 million people in Japan are expected to travel during the Golden Week holidays, marking a robust resurgence to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, according to survey results from travel agency JTB.

This year’s Golden Week marks a significant milestone — it will be the first such holiday period since the government downgraded COVID-19’s classification to the same level as the seasonal flu in May last year, thereby lifting all travel restrictions.

Conducted online in early March, JTB’s preliminary survey reached 10,000 respondents nationwide, spanning ages 15 to 79.

Among the findings, 2,060 respondents expressed an intent to travel, with a total of 23.32 million people traveling for stays of one night or longer between April 25 and May 5 either domestically or internationally, a 1.8% increase from the same period a year before.

Overseas travel is poised to witness a surge, with an estimated 520,000 travelers, reflecting a 67.7% increase from 2023. JTB reports international travel bookings soaring to 225% of 2023 figures.

Proximity plays a pivotal role for international traveler’s destination choices, with South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia seeing heightened popularity. JTB attributes this pattern to the yen’s depreciation.

The average cost of overseas travel stands at ?269,000, marking a 4.7% increase from 2023. Exchange rate anxieties were voiced by 44% of international travelers.

A total of 22.8 million individuals are expected to travel domestically, mirroring figures from the prior year. Travel destination preferences were more varied compared to 2023, with a rise in rail and air travel. Nonetheless, 55.3% of respondents cited their primary mode of transport for their trip to be their own car, indicating a penchant for more local travel spots.

Rising prices have cast a shadow over domestic travel expenses, with the average planned expenditure at ?36,100, marking a 3.7% upturn from 2023. Concerns over high prices were voiced by 36.1% of respondents, while 31.8%, particularly among older demographics, expressed apprehension toward overcrowding of tourist areas, fueled by an influx of overseas visitors.

For many respondents, Golden Week journeys symbolize opportunities for family time (31.7%), relaxation (28.9%), and culinary exploration (28.5%).

For those against traveling during Golden Week, 47.2% of respondents cited overcrowding, a 4.7-point surge from 2023. Economic concerns were also highlighted in the survey, with 33.7% deeming Golden Week travel too expensive, while 24% faced constraints due to family budgets.