Japanese head overseas ahead of summer’s fuel surcharge spike

Travel & Leisure

Trips to Europe jump 23% during Golden Week in early May, according to travel agency

Haneda airport was crowded with travelers heading abroad for Golden Week in late April 2025. (Photo by Rie Ishii)

TOKYO — More than half a million Japanese are expected to go overseas during the Golden Week holiday starting at the end of this month as they change vacation plans to avoid rises in fuel surcharges on international flights in the summer.