Roads, train stations and airports in Japan congested on Saturday as the five-day Golden Week stretch began. Travelers headed to hometowns or domestic and overseas vacations. JR East reported disruptions on the Yamagata Shinkansen due to strong winds and a fallen tree.
Golden Week, Japan's busiest holiday season apart from New Year and Obon, started in late April. Saturday marked the beginning of a five-day stretch including four consecutive national holidays.
At JR Tokyo Station, a family from Chiba Prefecture planned trips to Kyoto and Nara. "I want to feed deer," said Nanami Sotozaki, 4, referring to crackers given to roaming deer in Nara.
In Osaka, JR Shin-Osaka Station staff guided customers near ticket gates, while lines formed for souvenirs in the station building. "I can't wait to visit TV drama locations with my boyfriend," said Honoka Hamasaki, a 28-year-old resident heading to Yamanashi Prefecture.
JR East reported strong winds and a fallen tree disrupting operations on the Yamagata Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shinjo Station in Yamagata Prefecture.