The 97th National Fireworks Competition (Omagari Fireworks)
[E46] Measures to combat congestion on Akita Expressway

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NEXCO EAST　The Akita Management Office (Akita City, Akita Prefecture) and the Kitakami Management Office (Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture) have compiled the following information regarding traffic congestion on E46 Akita Expressway (hereinafter referred to as "Akita Road") during the 97th National Fireworks Festival [Saturday, August 30, 2025] and the measures to be taken.
On the day of the event, traffic congestion is expected on the roads in the vicinity of the venue, so please plan your trip accordingly and drive safely.

1. Traffic congestion on the Akita Expressway Main Line

On the day of the tournament, there will be a large number of visitors heading to the venue, which usually causes traffic congestion on the Akita Expressway and at the Omagari IC exit, the nearest interchange (hereinafter referred to as "IC").
Even after the tournament ends, traffic jams occur every year at the entrances to Omagari IC, Yokote IC, Yuda IC, and on the In-bound lanes heading towards the E4 Tohoku Expressway (hereinafter referred to as the "Tohoku Expressway").
　This year, we do not expect traffic jams longer than 5km, but you should still be careful of crowds.
　Please consider leaving early and choosing a route other than the Akita Expressway.

Areas where you need to be careful of crowds

• "IC" stands for interchange, "SIC" stands for smart interchange, and "TN" stands for tunnel.

1. When congestion occurs, information will be provided on road information boards installed on the main Expressway and at the entrance to the toll gate, so please check.
2. If you notice a traffic jam ahead, please turn on the hazard lamp and cooperate with the following car to prevent a rear-end collision accident.

Please note that traffic restrictions are currently in place on Tohoku Expressway 's Out-bound lanes between Hiraizumi Maesawa IC and Mizusawa IC due to road renewal construction, so please be aware of congestion on Out-bound lanes on Saturday, August 30th. Please allow yourself plenty of time when traveling.

2. Congestion at Omagari IC

　大会開催時は、大会会場の最寄りICとなる秋田道　大曲ICの上り線出口・下り線出口で、交通集中の発生により一般道から連続して高速道路まで渋滞する場合がありますので、大曲ICより手前のIC^（※）のご利用もご検討ください。大会終了後も、大曲IC入口は、一般道から渋滞の発生が見込まれます。前方に注意して、安全運転を心掛けてください。

• From Tohoku Expressway, take Yokote IC, Yokote Kita Smart IC (ETC vehicles only) or Yuda IC.
  From Akita City, take Kyowa IC or Nishisenboku Smart IC (ETC vehicles only).
• Nishisenboku Smart IC is normally open from 6am to 10pm, but on the day of the tournament it will be open from 6am on Saturday, August 30th to 2am on the following Sunday, August 31st.
• Yokote Kita Smart IC is open 24 hours.

3. Major measures against traffic jams

NEXCO EAST will implement the following measures regarding traffic guidance and information provision.

1. Traffic guides will be stationed at the Omagari IC exit toll booth on the Akita Expressway to guide traffic.
2. Traffic restriction maps for the area around the venue will be distributed at the Yamauchi Parking Area (hereinafter referred to as "PA") (Out-bound), Omori PA (Out-bound), and Nishisenboku Service Area (hereinafter referred to as "SA") (In-bound) on the Akita Expressway.
3. Traffic controllers will be stationed in the parking lots of Kinshuko SA (both inbound and outbound lanes), Yamauchi PA (In-bound lanes), and Omori PA (In-bound lanes) on the Akita Expressway.
4. Temporary LED information boards will be installed on the Akita Expressway main line to provide traffic congestion information and warnings.

4. Business hours of facilities within the Akita Expressway area

The opening hours of facilities within the area on the day of the tournament, Saturday, August 30th, and the following day, Sunday, August 31st, are as follows.

• Kinshuko SA will extend the opening hours of its food court, shopping corner, and gas station as follows:

  錦秋湖SAフードコート ショッピングコーナー	Saturday, August 30th 7:00～20:00（通常営業） 22:00～0:00（臨時営業） August 31st (Sunday) 0:00～4:00（臨時営業） 6:00～20:00（営業開始変更）
  Kinshuko SA Gas Station	Saturday, August 30th 8:00～24:00 August 31st (Sunday) 0:00～20:00 Open continuously from August 30th to August 31st

• The convenience store at Nishi-Senboku SA (both inbound and outbound lanes) is open 24 hours a day.
  Please note that there are no gas stations on either the northbound or southbound lanes.

5. Providing Expressway information

For safe and comfortable driving on Expressway, you can easily obtain the latest Expressway information (traffic conditions, road surface conditions, road conditions, etc.) on your PC or mobile phone. Please use it before departure.

• The use of mobile phones and smartphones while driving is prohibited. When using it, please operate it before departure, during breaks, or by a passenger.

• "DraPla", a site full of useful information on Expressway nationwide
  [Address] https://www.driveplaza.com/
• Expressway information service "Drive Traffic (DraTra)"
  【address】
  Real-time information: https://www.drivetraffic.jp/
  Construction regulation information: https://www.drivetraffic.jp/construction-regulation
• NEXCO東日本お客さまセンター
  24時間365日オペレーターが応対いたします。
  【電話番号】0570-024-024　または　03-5308-2424
• 日本道路交通情報センター（JARTIC）
  【アドレス】https://www.jartic.or.jp/
  【電話番号】
  全国共通ダイヤル　050-3369-6666
  （携帯短縮ダイヤル　#8011）
  ※全国どこからでも最寄りの情報センターに接続します。
  岩手情報　050-3369-6603
  秋田情報　050-3369-6605
  東北地方高速情報　050-3369-6761
• LINE official account "NEXCO EAST"
  We inform you about the traffic closure situation in the NEXCO EAST jurisdiction.

  

• Highway radio (AM1620kHz)
  The section that is broadcasting is announced by the signs on the Expressway.
• VICS
  Road information can be obtained from devices equipped with VICS-compatible car navigation systems.
• Other
  In the major SA / PAs in the Tohoku region, "Driving Weather Ch." Broadcasts useful information for driving, such as weather forecasts and points to note when driving.

• The official account of X (formerly Twitter) also provides information about Expressway.
  "NEXCO EAST (Tohoku)" (@e_nexco_tohoku)