Golden Week getaways begin without pandemic restrictions

The Yomiuri Shimbun

21:00 JST, April 30, 2022

Transport facilities were crowded with travelers at the start of the Golden Week holiday, which has kicked off without pandemic-related restrictions for the first time in three years.

At around 7 a.m. Friday, lines of travelers with large suitcases snaked around the departure lobby of Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Domestic flights operated by All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines were almost fully booked on the day.

“I’m looking forward to my first vacation in a while,” said a traveler heading to Hokkaido with her husband. “I plan to play golf and relax.”