Agoda Reveals Growing Travel Interest for 2026 Silver Week in Japan, Driven by First Five-Day Holiday in 11 Years
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―Overseas accommodation searches rise 131%, while domestic searches increase 120%, as Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day create a rare extended break―
SINGAPORE, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Agoda Company Pte. Ltd. (Headquarters: Singapore; CEO: Omri Morgenshtern), which operates the digital travel platform Agoda, has revealed insights into travel interest surrounding Japan's 2026 Silver Week, based on an analysis of accommodation searches by Japanese travelers during the holiday period compared to a recent regular travel period*. The data highlights how this year's unique calendar alignment is driving increased interest in travel, with domestic travel interest increasing by 120% and international travel interest by 131%.
This year, Respect for the Aged Day falls on Monday, September 21, while the Autumnal Equinox Day falls on Wednesday, September 23, making Tuesday, September 22 — which falls between the two national holidays — a "Citizen's Holiday." This creates a five-day break from Saturday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 23, which marks
the first time since 2015 that the calendar has created a five-day Silver Week holiday. With the next similar alignment not expected until 2032, this rare extended break is giving a significant boost to travel interest.
Domestic: Five-day break encourages travelers to venture farther afield, with strong growth in interest in regional destinations
【Top 5 most searched domestic destinations for Silver Week】
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- Okinawa Main Island
- Sapporo
- Fukuoka
While the top 5 most searched domestic destinations for Silver Week are largely major cities and established tourism hubs, looking at growth in search volumes reveals rising interest in secondary destinations. Takamatsu recorded a 661% increase in searches during the holiday period, followed by Kanazawa at 325%, Osaka at 217%, Beppu at 204%, and Kyoto at 199%. This suggests that the rare five-day break is likely providing an opportunity for travelers to venture beyond the most popular destinations and spend more time exploring regional cities, where they can enjoy local cuisine, culture, hot springs, and other unique experiences.
International: Asian destinations remain popular, while interest in long-haul travel also rises
【Top 5 most searched international destinations for Silver Week】
- Seoul（South Korea）
- Bangkok（Thailand）
- Taipei（Taiwan）
- Bali（Indonesia）
- Busan（South Korea）
Japanese travelers looking to travel overseas during Silver Week are most interested in easily accessible destinations within the region that offer high value with a short flight.
Beyond the top 5 destinations, Agoda also reveals the destinations seeing the highest growth in interest during this holiday period. Hong Kong saw a 245% increase, while Barcelona rose 210% and New York 178%. This suggests that, alongside popular trips within Asia, travelers are also taking advantage of the rare five-day break to consider long-haul destinations that can be harder to visit over a regular weekend or shorter holiday.
Tadashi Ikai, Senior Country Director, Agoda International Japan, shared, "Silver Week in 2026 brings Japan its first five-day holiday in over a decade, and we're seeing clear enthusiasm from travelers to make the most of this rare extended break. It's exciting to see growing travel interest to regional destinations like Takamatsu and Beppu, which make the perfect holiday reset for couples, families, and multigenerational groups alike.
At Agoda, we're committed to helping travelers make the most of this special holiday by discovering domestic and international destinations that match their individual travel styles, with a wide range of accommodations and travel experiences to choose from."
In addition to accommodations and flights, Agoda also allows travelers to book activities around the world. Booking activities before a trip can help travelers plan their itineraries more smoothly and make their experiences at their destination even more fulfilling.
source: Agoda