During the 98th National Fireworks Competition (Omagari Fireworks)
[E46] Traffic congestion forecast for Akita Expressway

The latest regulatory information isDraTraPlease see.

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NEXCO EAST Kitakami Management Office (Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture) and Akita Management Office (Akita City, Akita Prefecture) have compiled the following information regarding traffic congestion forecasts and countermeasures for E46 Akita Expressway (hereinafter referred to as "Akita Expressway") during the 98th National Fireworks Festival [Saturday, August 29, 2026].
On the day of the event, congestion is expected on general roads around the venue, so please plan your trip with plenty of time and drive safely.

1. Traffic congestion forecast for the Akita Expressway main line, etc.

On the day of the competition, a large number of spectators will be heading to the venue, so traffic congestion typically occurs on the Akita Expressway and at the Omagari IC exit, which is the nearest interchange (hereinafter referred to as "IC") to the competition venue.
Furthermore, even after the tournament concludes, traffic congestion typically occurs at the Omagari IC entrance, Yokote IC entrance, Yuda IC entrance, and on the In-bound lanes heading towards the E4 Tohoku Expressway (hereinafter referred to as "Tohoku Expressway"), and we predict that the same trend will occur this year.
　Please consider taking action early or choosing a route other than the Akita Expressway.

Locations where traffic congestion of 5 km or more is expected

1. "IC" is an abbreviation for interchange, and "TN" is an abbreviation for tunnel.
2. Traffic congestion information and other updates are provided on road information boards installed on Expressway and at toll booth entrances, so please check them.
3. If you see traffic congestion ahead, please turn on your hazard lights to signal to following vehicles and help prevent rear-end collisions.

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、交通集中により一般道路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^（※1）のご利用もご検討ください。大会終了後も、大曲IC入口は一般道路からの渋滞が見込まれます。

1. 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).
2. The operating hours for the Nishisenboku Smart Interchange are normally from 6 AM to 10 PM, but on the day of the event, it will be open from 6 AM on August 29th (Saturday) to 2 AM on August 30th (Sunday).
3. Yokote Kita Smart IC is open 24 hours.

3. Major measures against traffic jams

The following measures will be implemented regarding traffic control 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 Akita Expressway 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).
3. Traffic controllers will be stationed at the parking lots of Kinshuko Service Area (both directions) and Yamauchi Parking Area (In-bound) on the Akita Expressway.
4. Temporary LED information boards will be installed on the Akita Expressway main line to provide information on traffic congestion on the Akita Expressway main line and the Omagari Interchange, as well as parking lot congestion at the Yamauchi Parking Area.

4. Operating hours of facilities within the Akita Expressway area

The operating hours for facilities within the area on the day of the tournament, August 29th (Saturday), and the following day, August 30th (Sunday), are as shown in the table below.

Kinshuko SA Food Court Shopping Corner	Saturday, August 29th 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Regular business hours) 22:00 - 24:00 (Temporary opening hours) August 30th (Sunday) 0:00-4:00 (temporary business hours) 6:00- 20:00 (Opening hours changed)
Kinshuko SA Gas Station	Saturday, August 29th 8:00 AM -12:00 AM (Extended business hours) August 30th (Sunday) 0:00- 20:00 (Opening hours changed) Open continuously from August 29th to August 30th.
Nishisenboku SA (up and down lines) convenience store	8月29日（土）　24時間営業 8月30日（日）　24時間営業

Please note that there are no gas stations at either the northbound or southbound Nishisenboku Service Area.

5. How to obtain information about Expressway

(1) Expressway information available before you leave

• NEXCO東日本お客さまセンター（24時間オペレーターが対応）
  ナビダイヤル：0570-024-024
  または：03-5308-2424
• NEXCO EAST Expressway Information Site "DraTra"
  Real-time information

  https://www.drivetraffic.jp/

  Construction regulation information

  https://www.drivetraffic.jp/construction-regulation
• 日本道路交通情報センター（JARTIC）道路交通情報
  全国共通ダイヤル　050-3369-6666
  （携帯電話短縮ダイヤル　#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。
  東北地方高速情報　050-3369-6761
  秋田情報　050-3369-6605
  岩手情報　050-3369-6603
  【アドレス】https://www.jartic.or.jp/
• LINE official account "NEXCO EAST"
  We provide information about Expressway under the jurisdiction of NEXCO EAST.

  

(2) Expressway information available while using Expressway

• Road information board
• Highway radio (AM1620kHz)
  The highway radio section is indicated by signs on the Expressway.
• VICS
  Road information can be obtained from devices equipped with VICS-compatible car navigation systems.

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