TOKYO —The Golden Week holiday exodus began Saturday with travelers crowding Narita airport near Tokyo and Kansai International Airport near Osaka. Some workers are taking up to 16 consecutive days off for Golden Week this year as the order of public holidays makes it easier to take a longer vacation. The number of travelers booked to go abroad from Narita airport is some 40,000 for Saturday only.

Takeshi Kosugi, a 35-year-old office worker from Toyama City, said at Narita airport that he and his four family members are traveling to Belgium and the Netherlands through May 6. Tsugunari Kato, a 41-year-old welder from Osaka City, said he is making a nine-day trip for surfing in Bali, Indonesia, as he was able to take a longer vacation due to a drop in welding work amid the recession. The exodus at Kansai airport, meanwhile, is expected to peak at around 19,000 travelers on May 2.

Eleven Japanese airlines said Tuesday they have seen reservations increase for Golden Week, up 8% for international flights and 1% for domestic flights from the previous year.

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