Airports, train stations crowded as 9-day New Year break begins

People deserves a good and longer winter holiday.

Companies should provide even more time during this time of the year, thus preventing all those crowdy jams.

And people are shopping in my town. I went to a few places, and they were much more crowded than a typical weekend.

We will remain tucked up at home enjoying our own company and friends coming over.

Still don't know how to spread out vacations throughout the year.........

9 days off is not enough considering how hard Japanese work.

I love taking family trips in Japan. But never, EVER during civic holidays.

Business is offering bonuses, added holiday time, for staff flexibility.

Bonkers photo, quite understandable to want to chill out with family, but all appearing travelling at the same time?

Shutdowns?

At the same time J economy at a cross roads, inflation, etc

Hang on... didn't people in the medical field just yesterday (or was it this morning) point out that cases of the flu shot up 130% since last week and they have no idea how it is spreading so rapidly? Well, just look at the photo and the fact that it's like this everywhere, and bullet trains allow 150% capacity, most passengers not wearing masks, etc. There are only three masked people in the entire crowd in the photo that we can see, and one is staff. Just takes one cough from anyone in the swarm.

WoodyLee: "9 days off is not enough considering how hard Japanese work."

I would argue many don't work hard at all, nor kids study hard -- they are just forced to work long hours and kids forced to study for hours, then at juku, then at home even over holidays. Doesn't mean the quality of the work or the productivity are any better than a nation with four work days a week and no forced overtime, no homework or club activities on holidays etc. So, I agree they work long hours. I don't agree they necessarily work hard.

Well, there’s too much hustle and bustle this time of year isn’t there. We will be staying in and staying local, no travelling on packed trains for us you see.

Silver days or Golden weeks?

I am not leaving home (Nagoya), now crowds everwhere.

Still don't know how to spread out vacations throughout the year.........

Still by and large haven't figured out flexibility around taking vacations either.

Tis the season of Gaman.

Self punishment of the masses for a few days of family fun.

Jacked up prices everywhere, gridlocked roads, rammed trains planes restaurants and supermarkets.

Being screeched at by megaphone every which way but loose.

Happy Holidays!

Enjoy! A busy day off is better than a not so busy day at work!

There are no extended holidays here in the US. Even at Christmas, many people are required to work the day before and after. Same with New Year, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving. Some people use vacation days to extend these holidays, but not all can do that.

Just waiting for all the complainers about over tourism.....oh wait, if they're Japanese tourists it doesn't count, does it?

Glad to decide when I take days off and when I go on holiday.

Not an appealing time for traveling.

Time to chill at home. Will travel later when there are fewer people - and it's cheaper!

New Year and Golden Week, everywhere rammed with people, no mention of 'overtourism' and Shibuya not shut down. How does that happen then?

May be wise to follow the decades old Japanese tradition of wearing a mask in flu season. It's currently circulating amongst school kids. It will move via parents and teachers to the general public. Elderly people should bag a flu/pneumonia jab to reduce the impact of catching it.

some grumpy people should chill during the year-end holiday…

factcheckerDec. 28  08:04 pm JST

Still don't know how to spread out vacations throughout the year.........

Still by and large haven't figured out flexibility around taking vacations either.

And have you been to Europe? US? Everybody also there vacations at the same time and it’s not a problem?

Anywhere in the world, families vacation when school is off.