Japan Railways Group reported that 14.766 million people used Shinkansen and limited-express trains during the Golden Week holiday period [1].
The surge in ridership indicates a robust recovery in domestic tourism and a high willingness among the population to travel during peak holiday windows.
The data covers a 13-day period from April 24 to May 6, 2026 [2]. JR companies said that favorable holiday dates and a travel-friendly environment encouraged more people to take trips across the national network [3].
Specific regional data shows significant volume for the major rail operators. JR East reported a total of 5.156 million users across its Shinkansen and other services [4]. Meanwhile, JR Central reported 5.119 million total users [2].
The Tokaido Shinkansen, one of the busiest lines in the country, saw 4.932 million users during the period [5]. This represents a 4% increase compared to the previous year [5]. In a broader comparison of Shinkansen usage, JR Central said there was a year-over-year increase of 104% [1].
These figures reflect the combined efforts of JR East, JR Central, and other group companies to manage the high demand of the spring holiday season. The companies said the growth was due to the specific alignment of the 2026 calendar, which allowed for more extended travel opportunities for the public [3].
“14.766 million people used Shinkansen and limited-express trains during the Golden Week holiday period”
The increase in ridership suggests that Japan's domestic travel market is benefiting from a combination of favorable calendar timing and a stable environment for tourism. The significant year-over-year growth for JR Central's Shinkansen services indicates a strong rebound in long-distance travel, which is a critical economic driver for the region's transport infrastructure.
