The Japan Road Traffic Information Center predicts traffic jams up to 40 km long on the Kanetsu Expressway during the Golden Week U-turn rush [1].
These delays occur as millions of travelers return to major cities at the conclusion of the national holiday period. The resulting congestion can lead to significant travel delays and increased pressure on highway infrastructure during the peak return window.
Reports on May 5 indicate that congestion is already affecting several major routes. On the Kanetsu Expressway, traffic near the Kawagoe Interchange has reached 34 km [1]. Meanwhile, the Chuo Expressway is experiencing jams of 22 km near the Kobutsu Tunnel [1].
Forecasts for the night of May 5 suggest conditions will worsen. Officials said a maximum congestion length of 40 km is predicted on the Kanetsu Expressway near the Sakado-West Smart Interchange [1]. Additionally, the Tohoku Expressway is expected to see jams of up to 35 km near the Kazo Interchange [1].
While some forecasts for the broader Golden Week period, which runs from April 25 to May 6, 2026 [5], suggested peak congestion could reach 45 km [5], current reports focus on the immediate 40 km peak for the U-turn rush [1].
The U-turn rush is a recurring phenomenon in Japan, where the concentration of travel dates creates extreme bottlenecks on expressways leading into urban centers. The Japan Road Traffic Information Center provides these real-time updates to help drivers manage their departure times and avoid the worst of the gridlock.
“Traffic jams up to 40 km long are predicted on the Kanetsu Expressway.”
The recurring nature of Golden Week traffic highlights the systemic strain on Japan's highway network during concentrated holiday windows. The disparity between general forecasts and real-time data underscores the volatility of the 'U-turn rush,' where small shifts in travel timing can lead to tens of kilometers of standstill traffic.
