Japan's beloved Golden Week holiday stretch has officially begun, ushering in one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Starting April 29 with Showa Day and extending through May 5's Children's Day—complete with Constitution Memorial Day on May 3 and Greenery Day on May 4—this five-day core holiday (with potential for up to 12 consecutive days off when combined with weekends and paid leave) sees millions hitting the roads, rails, and skies. On May 2, 2026, the rush intensified as families and friends departed for hometowns, beaches, and mountain retreats, leading to early signs of highway gridlock particularly on major expressways out of Tokyo and Osaka.
The phenomenon, known locally as the "U-turn rush," reflects Japan's unique calendar where national holidays cluster in late spring, coinciding with mild weather perfect for outings. This year, despite economic pressures from rising fuel costs amid global tensions, travel enthusiasm remains high. Major travel agency JTB forecasts 23.9 million domestic trips—a 1.7% increase from 2025—though per-person spending dips 2.1% to ¥46,000 due to inflation and caution. Outbound travel surges 8.5% to 572,000, favoring budget-friendly spots like South Korea and Taiwan.
🚗 Highway Congestion Forecasts Materialize
Highway operators NEXCO have warned of unprecedented jams, predicting 375 instances of 10km-plus congestion nationwide from April 25 to May 6—20% more than last year. Central Japan's NEXCO anticipates 157 such events alone, 1.5 times higher than 2025, driven by the extended five-day back half.
Outbound peaks hit May 2-3: Chuo Expressway near Sagamiko IC could see 45km backups by 10 a.m.; Tohoku Expressway near Hanyu PA up to 40km at 7 a.m. Inbound "U-turn" worsens May 4-5: Kan-etsu near Sakado West SIC 40km on May 5 afternoon; Meishin and Tomei also 30-35km. Early reports confirm slowdowns on Tomei southbound from Tokyo toward Nagoya, with live apps like Drive Traffic showing yellow-to-red zones building by midday May 2.
- East Japan (NEXCO East): 115 jams, Tohoku and Kan-etsu hardest hit.
- Central: 157 jams, Chuo and Tomei epicenters.
- West: Kyushu Expressway up to 35km.
No major incidents as of May 2 afternoon, but police urge fatigue vigilance after long drives.
Major Routes Under Siege
The Tomei Expressway (Tokyo-Nagoya) routinely bears the brunt, with forecasts of 30km+ outbound May 2 and inbound May 5. Meishin (Nagoya-Kyoto-Osaka) expects similar, peaking southbound May 3. Chuo (Tokyo-Nagoya via mountains) warns of 45km—the longest predicted—due to fewer lanes and scenic appeal.
Inbound from Hokkaido via Tohoku sees 40km near Hanyu; Kan-etsu inbound 40km May 5. West Japan faces Kyushu jams up to 35km toward Fukuoka. Real-time data from JARTIC shows May 2 southbound Tomei already at 15km near Atsugi by noon, aligning with models.
| Route | Direction | Peak Date | Max Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuo Expwy Sagamiko IC | Outbound | May 2 | 45km |
| Tohoku Expwy Hanyu PA | Outbound | May 2 | 40km |
| Kan-etsu Sakado West | Inbound | May 5 | 40km |
| Tomei/Meishin | Inbound | May 4-5 | 30km+ |
Rail and Air Swamped Too
JR East reports Shinkansen near-capacity; Tokyo Station swarmed May 2 with Kyoto/Nara-bound families. Yamagata line delayed by wind/tree. Airports like Haneda/Narita see 1.59M through Narita alone. Domestic flights to Okinawa/Hokkaido booked solid.
Popular Hotspots Driving the Rush
Destinations like Kyoto's temples, Osaka's food scene, Hokkaido's nature, Okinawa beaches pull crowds. JTB notes short 1-2 night trips up to 39.9%. Tokyo Disney/Universal jam-packed.
JTB's full forecast highlights near-2019 levels.Economic Boost Amid Caution
24.5M total trips inject billions, supporting rural tourism/hotels. Yet fuel hikes from Iran tensions curb lavish spending; more drive short distances.
Safety First: Fatigue and Incidents
Golden Week sees spiked accidents from fatigue. NEXCO deploys safety patrols. Past years: multi-car pileups on Tomei. Tips: Rest every 2hrs, no phone.
Smart Strategies to Dodge the Chaos
- Early morning (pre-5am) or late night (post-9pm) drives for ETC discounts.
- Trains: Book now, Nozomi full fast.
- Apps: Drive Plaza, iHighway for live reroutes.
- Alternatives: Local stays, bikes in cities.
Environmental Toll
Emissions spike; greener choices like trains urged.
Photo by fauve othon on Unsplash
Looking Ahead: Post-Rush Return
May 5-6 inbound peaks; plan returns early. 2026's alignment worsens vs 2025.