Japanese expressway operators predict heavy traffic congestion on Tuesday, May 5, as travelers return home during the Golden Week holiday peak [1, 2].

This annual U-turn rush creates significant logistical challenges for commuters and travelers, often resulting in multi-hour delays across the country's primary transit arteries.

NEXCO East Japan, NEXCO Central Japan, NEXCO West Japan, and the Japan Road Traffic Information Center identified several high-risk zones for congestion. Projections indicate that the Kanetsu Expressway near the Sakado West Smart Interchange could see jams reaching 40 km [2]. Other reports suggest the maximum congestion could reach as high as 45 km [6].

Further delays are expected on the Tohoku Expressway near the Kazo Interchange, where traffic is predicted to stretch up to 35 km [2]. The Chuo Expressway near the Kobotoke Tunnel is also flagged for potential delays of up to 25 km [2].

Data indicates the scale of the holiday travel surge is extensive. Reports show a total of 375 instances of congestion exceeding 10 km across both inbound and outbound lanes [6]. Despite these forecasts, early monitoring on Tuesday showed no significant congestion as of 5 a.m. [5].

The congestion is driven by the concentration of travelers returning from vacation destinations simultaneously as the Golden Week period concludes [3, 2]. Authorities said these warnings encourage travelers to adjust their schedules and avoid peak travel times to mitigate the impact on the national road network.

“Traffic congestion is expected to peak Tuesday, May 5, with some delays reaching up to 45 km.”

The Golden Week U-turn rush represents one of Japan's most significant annual infrastructure stresses. The wide variance in congestion predictions—ranging from 40 km to 45 km—highlights the volatility of holiday traffic patterns. The sheer volume of predicted 10-km-plus jams suggests that the national expressway system will operate at near-capacity, emphasizing the continued reliance on private vehicles despite Japan's extensive rail network.