Major Japanese expressways experienced significant traffic congestion on Monday, May 4, as travelers continued to move during the Golden Week holiday [1].

This surge in traffic occurs during one of Japan's busiest travel periods, putting immense pressure on national infrastructure and increasing travel times for millions of residents heading to leisure destinations [4].

Data from the Japan Road Traffic Information Center as of 11:30 a.m. showed heavy congestion on several down-direction lanes. The Keiyō Road reported a 27 km jam near the Kaizuka Interchange [1]. On the Kan-etsu Expressway, traffic slowed near the Sakado-West Smart Interchange with a 21 km jam [1].

Other affected routes included the Tōmei Expressway, which saw a 19 km jam near the Ebina Service Area [1]. The Chūō Expressway also reported a 14 km jam near the Kobutsu Tunnel [1]. These delays follow a relatively quiet start to the day, as there were no notable jams reported at 5:00 a.m. [9].

Traffic officials said congestion is expected to shift as the day progresses. New jams are predicted for the afternoon on up-direction lanes as travelers begin returning home. The Chūō Expressway near the Kobutsu Tunnel and the Kan-etsu Expressway near Sakado-West are both expected to see jams reaching 30 km [1].

Further predictions for the afternoon include a 25 km jam on the Tōhoku Expressway near the Hanyu Parking Area [1]. Additionally, the Tōmei Expressway is expected to experience a 20 km jam near the Tōfuranō Tunnel [1].

“The Keiyō Road reported a 27 km jam near the Kaizuka Interchange.”

The recurring nature of Golden Week congestion highlights the seasonal strain on Japan's highway network. The shift from down-direction to up-direction jams within a single day demonstrates the concentrated movement of the population, which typically leads to predictable but severe bottlenecks at key interchanges, and tunnels.