Japan Road Traffic Information Center and highway operators forecast up to 35 km [1] of inbound traffic congestion on Greater Tokyo expressways.
The congestion occurs as travelers return to the capital on the final day of a three-day holiday. These delays impact thousands of commuters and travelers, creating significant bottlenecks on the region's primary arterial roads.
Traffic officials identified several critical hotspots for the delays. The Kanetsu Expressway is expected to see the heaviest congestion near the Sakado-West Smart Interchange [1]. On the Chuo Expressway, jams are predicted to reach 25 km [1] near the Kobutsu Tunnel.
Other major routes are facing similar pressures. The Tomei Expressway is forecasted to have 20 km [1] of congestion near the Ayase Smart Interchange, while the Tohoku Expressway is expected to see 20 km [1] of delays near the Kazo Interchange.
Forecasters said that the peak of the congestion is expected after 3 p.m. [1]. However, some reports indicated that congestion remained present as late as 6:30 p.m. due to accidents occurring along the routes [2].
These delays were reported for May 3, 2024 [3]. The combination of high holiday volume and unexpected road incidents contributed to the severity of the inbound traffic flow into the Greater Tokyo area.
“Forecast of up to 35 km of inbound traffic congestion”
The recurring nature of these massive bottlenecks during Japanese holiday periods highlights the continued reliance on private vehicle travel despite Tokyo's extensive rail network. The fact that accidents can extend peak congestion hours well into the evening suggests a low threshold for system failure when expressways operate at maximum capacity.
