Originally Posted by
AtomicLush
I just came back from Japan. The cherry blossoms had stopped blooming due to a cold front and only maybe 10% of the trees had bloomed during our stay. But obviously I had no way of predicting that when I booked everything - and everything was booked at a premium. Hotel prices were about 25-100% more, with many hotels being sold out or requiring crazy minimums. Also, it was very difficult booking restaurants, and all the tourist areas (castles and temples) were very crowded.
Not sure if you have kids, but don't even attempt to go to Tokyo Disney over spring break. 250 minute waits for rides (yes, over 4 hours!). We stayed at the Disney hotel, got early hotel passes, and arrived at the gate half an hour BEFORE park opening and it still took us over an hour to get in! Would you wait 2 hours for a turkey leg or popcorn? Apparently Japanese people will! There were lines everywhere! I didn't know if people were lined up for the bathroom or a ride!
Was this your first time visit to Japan? Last week of March and first week of April is Japanese Spring Break, schools are off because Japanese school year starts from April. Many tourist places are busy and addition to that there are many non-Japanese visitors due to Cherry Blossom Season. You were one of many non-Japanese flocked into Japan during Cherry Blossom Season. However, OP has asked New Year vs. Japanese Spring Break. As far as places being busy are concerned, New Year will not be any better and likely New Year will be worse than Japanese Spring Break.
During New Year some places and restaurants will be closed, depending on location many places will be closed during New Year. Which is not the case during Japanese Spring Break. Those places open during New Year will be very busy. Not all restaurants will be open during New Year, for example many Sushi restaurants will be closed because Tokyo fish market is closed during New Year. Those few restaurants open during New Year will be extremely busy.
When it comes to comparing New Year and Spring Break in Japan, although you have experienced that places are busy during Japanese Spring Break the situation can be worse during New Year.