Prediction of traffic jams on Expressway during the Obon period [Niigata Prefecture version]

The peak is expected to be on the morning of Friday, August 15th and the afternoon of Sunday, August 17th, with a maximum of 5km on the northbound Hokuriku In-bound.

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  • Prediction of traffic jams on Expressway during the Obon period [Niigata Prefecture version]

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July 11, 2020
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Niigata Regional Head Office

NEXCO EAST Niigata Regional Head Office (Chuo-ku, Niigata Regional Head Office) would like to announce its Expressway congestion forecast (traffic congestion of 5km or more *1) for the Obon period (11 days from Thursday, August 7th, 2025 to Sunday, August 17th, 2025) on expressways under its jurisdiction.
In order to ease traffic congestion, we ask for your cooperation in "dispersing use" by avoiding days and times when congestion is predicted. Traffic conditions can change significantly due to traffic accidents and other traffic disruptions, weather conditions, etc. Please check the latest road information when using the service.
In addition, serious accidents have occurred on Expressway due to vehicles driving the wrong way. Driving the wrong way is a dangerous act that can be life-threatening. Please check the direction of travel and drive safely.

  1. Concentrated traffic congestion refers to congestion that is not caused by accidents or road closures.

1. Congestion prediction during the Obon period

Date and time when congestion occurs

It is predicted that traffic congestion will occur due to traffic concentrations during the Obon period in 2025, as detailed below.

Road name direction Direction Date Traffic jam
Time zone
Peak time maximum
Congestion length
Head position of traffic jam
E8
Hokuriku Expressway
going up For Toyama Friday, August 15 9:00-15:00 11 o'clock 5km Near Nakanoshima Mitsuke IC ※2
Sunday, August 17 From 15:00 to 18:00 17:00 5km Near Sanjo Tsubame IC

※2

IC: Interchange

2. Comparison of traffic congestion during the Obon period last year

Traffic jam scale Reiwa 7
Thursday, August 7th to Sunday, August 17th
2024
Thursday, August 8th to Sunday, August 18th
Traffic jam prediction count Total number of traffic jams *3 Number of traffic jams due to traffic congestion
5km or more but less than 10km Twice 0 times 0 times
10km or more 0 times Once 0 times

※3

The total number of traffic jams is the number of traffic jams, including the effects of accidents and road closures.

3. About traffic congestion season special site/traffic forecast guide

NEXCO EAST 's customer website "DraPla" has set up a special site for traffic congestion periods. In addition to publishing a traffic congestion forecast guide, "traffic congestion forecasters" from each Regional Head Office in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, and Niigata explain how to avoid traffic congestion in videos.

NEXCO EAST official Image image of traffic jam forecast guide by traffic jam forecaster
Congestion forecast guide Obon version image image

4. Holiday discounts will not be applied during the Obon period.

To avoid worsening traffic congestion, holiday discounts will not be applied during the Obon period from August 9th (Saturday) to August 11th (Monday, national holiday) and from August 16th (Saturday) to 17th (Sunday). Please see below for details.

Please note that the "Commuter Pass" currently undergoing a social experiment will still be applicable during this period. For other ETC discounts, please see below.

5. 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.
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