Japan's airports, Shinkansen lines, and highways saw heavy outbound congestion on May 2, 2024, marking the start of Golden Week's second half [1].

This surge in travel creates significant pressure on national infrastructure and transit hubs, often resulting in systemic delays that affect both leisure travelers and daily commuters across the Tokyo area [1, 2].

Crowds gathered at Haneda Airport and Tokyo Station as passengers departed for holiday destinations [1, 3]. On the Tohoku Expressway, traffic agencies observed a jam of 24 km near the Hanyu Parking Area at 11 a.m. [1]. Additional disruptions occurred on the Yamagata Shinkansen line, where fallen trees contributed to the congestion [1, 2, 4].

Highway operators and the Japan Road Traffic Information Center are monitoring the situation as the holiday continues. Reports on the exact peak of outbound traffic vary; some sources said May 2, 2024, was the peak day [4], while others said the peak occurs on May 3, 2024 [2].

Forecasts for the morning of May 3, 2024, indicate further delays. A traffic jam of approximately 40 km is expected on the Chuo Expressway near the Sagami-Lake interchange [1]. Other forecasts suggest that maximum jam lengths during the Golden Week period could reach as high as 45 km [4].

Travelers are advised to monitor real-time updates from NEXCO and other traffic agencies to navigate the predicted bottlenecks, especially those utilizing the major expressways leaving the capital [1, 4].

“Japan's airports, Shinkansen lines, and highways saw heavy outbound congestion”

The recurring congestion during Golden Week highlights the persistent strain on Japan's transport arteries during national holidays. The discrepancy in peak-day forecasts and the impact of environmental factors, such as fallen trees on rail lines, underscore the volatility of transit stability during high-demand periods.