Congestion forecast on Expressway during the Obon period [NEXCO EAST version]
“後半の渋滞に注意 上り方面のねらい目はお盆最終日！”
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- Congestion forecast on Expressway during the Obon period [NEXCO EAST version]
July 17, 2020
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
NEXCO EAST (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has announced its traffic congestion forecast for Expressway (traffic congestion of 10 km or more) during the Obon period [August 7th (Fri) to August 16th (Sun), 2026: 10 days].
Holiday discounts will not apply during this period. Please cooperate by using our services at off-peak times to avoid crowds.
Furthermore, serious accidents have occurred on Expressway due to vehicles driving in the wrong direction. Driving in the wrong direction is a life-threatening act. Please check your direction of travel and drive safely.
Out-bound
- August 12th (Wed) and 13th (Thu) are particularly days to watch out for!
-
Biggest traffic jam:August 13th (Thursday) 11:00
E4Near the Yaita Kita PA Tohoku Expressway
Leading with the largest 35km - Traffic congestion occurs mainly from morning to early afternoon
In-bound direction
- August 14th (Friday) and 15th (Saturday) are particularly days to watch out for!
-
Biggest traffic jam:Saturday, August 15, 6:00 p.m.
E17Kan-Etsu Expressway Near Sakado-Nishi SIC
Leading the way, up to 40 km - Traffic jams occur mainly from late afternoon to night
For details on traffic jams exceeding 20km in length, please refer to Attachment 1 [PDF: 191KB].
Last year (2025), traffic congestion was relatively low due to severe weather, so the number of traffic jams is expected to increase compared to last year.
| Traffic jam scale | Traffic congestion forecast for 2026 August 7th (Fri) - August 16th (Sun) |
Traffic congestion data for 2025 (Reiwa 7) * August 8th (Fri) - August 17th (Sun) |
|---|---|---|
| 10km or more | 133 times | 104 times |
- The number of traffic jams in 2025 includes traffic jams caused by accidents and other factors.
About traffic congestion season special site/traffic forecast guide
Our customer-facing website, "DraPla," has launched a special site for periods of heavy traffic. It features information such as traffic congestion forecasts and explanations of avoidance points by traffic congestion forecasters *, so please make use of it when you travel.
- "Traffic Forecaster" is a registered trademark of NEXCO EAST.
What is the main cause of traffic congestion?
- Most of the congestion caused by concentrated traffic on Expressway occurs due to sag.
- NEXCO EAST is currently installing congestion point signs at sags where congestion occurs.
To prevent traffic jams, please slow down when you see this sign.
Traffic jam point sign
Changing the route also helps!
For travel between Tokyo and Sendai, we recommend using the E6 Joban Expressway, which is less affected by traffic congestion. Please see Attachment 2 [PDF: 373KB] for details.
Holiday discounts are not applicable during the Obon period.
To avoid increased traffic congestion, holiday discounts will not be applied during this period. Please see below for details.
Let's eliminate wrong-way driving -Expressway are one-way streets -
To avoid serious accidents caused by driving the wrong way, please be aware of the following:
- Please pay close attention to regulatory signs, guide signs, and road markings, and drive in the correct direction.
- U-turns and backing up on Expressway are strictly prohibited.
- If you hear or see information about wrong-way driving, slow down, maintain a sufficient distance, and keep a close eye on the movements of the vehicle ahead.
To view the PDF file, you need the Adobe Systems plug-in software "Acrobat Reader (Japanese version)". If you do not have Download from here (free)Please use it.
Related Sites and Content
If you are looking for information on fares, routes, service areas and parking areas, please click here.
If you are looking for real-time traffic congestion and restriction information, click here.
NEXCO EAST (Road Disaster Prevention Information) Official X
Click here if you are looking for road information such as road closures during disasters.