Congestion prediction on Expressway during Golden Week [Hokkaido version]
Traffic congestion is expected on May 3rd (Sun) and May 5th (Tue).
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- Congestion prediction on Expressway during Golden Week [Hokkaido version]
March 25, 2020
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido Regional Head Office
NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo) is pleased to announce its traffic congestion forecast for Expressway within its Regional Head Office during the Golden Week period [April 25th (Sat) to May 6th (Wed), 2026: 12 days].
Holiday discounts will not apply during this period. To help alleviate traffic congestion, we ask for your cooperation in "staggered use" by avoiding peak hours.
1. Major traffic congestion predicted sections (traffic jams of 10km or more)
Sapporo ⇒ Eastern or Southern Hokkaido
- On Sunday, May 3rd, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with a peak at 11:00 AM, traffic In-bound lane of the Hokkaido Expressway from Sapporo Minami IC Eniwa IC, up to a maximum of 10 km.
- On Sunday, May 3rd, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, peaking at 11:00 AM, traffic congestion occurred Out-bound lanes Doto Expressway Expressway from Oiwake-cho IC to Mukawa-Hobetsu IC, up to a maximum of 10 km.
Eastern Hokkaido ⇒ Sapporo or Southern Hokkaido
(3)
On Sunday, May 3rd, between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM, with a peak at 9:00 AM, traffic congestion occurred In-bound lane Doto Expressway from Tokachi-Shimizu IC to Tomamu IC, up to a maximum of 10 km.
(4)
On Sunday, May 3rd, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, peaking at 12:00 PM, traffic congestion occurred on the In-bound lane Doto Expressway from Tomamu IC to Mukawa-Hobetsu IC, up to a maximum of 10 km.
(5)
On Tuesday, May 5th, between 4 PM and 9 PM, with a peak at 6 PM, traffic congestion occurred In-bound lanes Doto Expressway from Tomamu IC to Mukawa-Hobetsu IC, covering a maximum distance of 15 km.
2. Comparison of traffic congestion during Golden Week last year (Hokkaido Regional Head Office area)
| Maximum traffic length | Traffic congestion forecast for 2026 4/25 (Sat) - 5/6 (Wed) |
Traffic congestion data for 2025 April 25th (Friday) - May 6th (Tuesday) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic jam prediction count | Total traffic count | Number of traffic jams due to traffic congestion * | |
| 1 to less than 10km | 3 times | 8 times | 5 times |
| 10km or more | 5 times | Twice | Twice |
* "Number of traffic jams due to traffic congestion" refers to the number of traffic jams excluding the effects of accidents, etc.
For detailed information on traffic congestion forecasts exceeding 1km, please refer to the attached document [PDF: 180KB].
3. About traffic congestion season special site/traffic forecast guide
Our customer-facing website, "DraPla," has launched a special section for periods of heavy traffic. It includes traffic congestion forecasts and explanations of tips for avoiding congestion, so please make use of it when you travel.
Four. Precautions regarding ETC holiday discounts
To avoid worsening traffic congestion, holiday discounts will not be applied during Golden Week. Please see below for details.
5. Eliminate wrong-way driving –Expressway are one-way streets –
Driving against traffic is a life-threatening act. To avoid serious accidents caused by driving against traffic, please pay attention to the following points.
- 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.