The latest regulatory information isDraTraPlease see.

PDF version [PDF: 550KB]

NEXCO EAST Tohoku Regional Head Office (Miyagino Ward, Sendai City) will announce its forecast of Expressway congestion (traffic congestion of 5 km or more) during the Obon period in the Tohoku region [Thursday, August 7, 2025 to Sunday, August 17, 2025: 11 days].
In order to alleviate traffic congestion, we ask for your cooperation in "dispersing use of the facilities" by avoiding busy days and times.
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. 1. Congestion forecast

On Expressway in the Tohoku region, it is predicted that traffic jams of 5 km or more will occur eight times on Out-bound lanes and eight times on the In-bound lanes, for a total of 16 times.

Forecasting the longest traffic jam in the Tohoku region

[Details of traffic congestion forecast are given in Attachment-1 [PDF: 255KB]and Attachment-2 [PDF: 331KB]]

• Out-bound line:

  Saturday, August 9th

  E4 Near Fukushima Nishi IC Tohoku Expressway
  (Nihonmatsu IC to Fukushima Nishi IC) Maximum 15km
• In-bound line:

  Saturday, August 16

  E4 Near Fukushima TN Tohoku Expressway
  (Fukushima Matsukawa PA - Fukushima Iizaka IC) Maximum 15km

Comparison of traffic congestion during the Obon period 2024

• ``Number of traffic jams due to traffic concentration'' refers to the number of traffic jams excluding the effects of accidents, etc.

2. Information on special website for traffic congestion season, traffic jam forecast guide, etc.

The customer website "DraPla" has set up a special site for traffic congestion periods. It provides a traffic congestion forecast guide and videos explaining tips for avoiding traffic congestion.
In addition, information about Expressway is also provided through the official LINE account and the official X account, so please make use of it when you go out.

• Special site for traffic congestion period
• Drive Traffic (DraTra)
• LINE official account “NEXCO EAST ”
  (@e-nexco)
• X official account “NEXCO EAST (Tohoku)” (@e_nexco_tohoku)
• Road traffic information Now!!
  (*Japan Road Traffic Information Center website)

3. Request to customers to drive safely and alleviate traffic congestion

When using Expressway, please read "Requests for Using Expressway" Appendix 3 [PDF: 94KB] before setting off to ensure the safe travels of drivers and all passengers.

4. 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.

• https://www.e-nexco.co.jp/activity/reverse/

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

To avoid increased traffic congestion, holiday discounts will not be applied during this period. Please see below for details.

• https://www.e-nexco.co.jp/pressroom/cms_assets/pressroom/2025/03/14/pdf.pdf