Golden Week traffic is expected to be busy as people across Japan look forward to the holidays. To enjoy this exciting time efficiently, it’s a good idea to check traffic conditions in advance. NEXCO East Japan and NEXCO Central Japan have announced their congestion forecast for highways in the Kanto-Koshin region and Shizuoka Prefecture during Golden Week (from Friday, April 25 to Tuesday, May 6).
Check the 2025 Golden Week dates and their cultural significance here.
Table of Contents
Key Highlights for Golden Week Traffic in 2025
This year’s holiday falls into two parts: a scattered first half and a four-day break in the second half. More traffic will happen during the second half.
Highways like the Tomei, which carry a lot of business traffic, will see more traffic jams over 10 km, especially heading toward Tokyo.
Since the holidays are split, long traffic jams over 30 km will happen less often than in 2024.
| Direction | Date | Road | Starting Area | Traffic Jam Length | Peak time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Outbound |
May 2nd, Fri |
Tomei |
Hadanonakai IC |
40-kilometer |
22:00 |
|
May 3rd, Sat |
Chuo |
Sagamiko IC |
45-kilometer |
5:00 |
|
|
May 3rd, Sat |
Tohoku |
Hanyu PA |
40-kilometer |
7:00 |
|
|
May 3rd, Sat |
Kanetsu |
Takasaka SA |
30-kilometer |
7:00 |
|
|
May 3rd, Sat |
Tohoku |
Yaitakita PA |
30-kilometer |
10:00 |
|
|
May 4th, Sun |
Chuo |
Sagamiko IC |
45-kilometer |
7:00 |
|
|
Inbound |
May 4th, Sun |
Chuo |
Kotoboke TN |
30-kilometer |
19:00 |
|
May 4th, Sun |
Kanetsu |
Sakadonishi SIC |
35-kilometer |
17:00 |
|
|
May 5th, Mon |
Chuo |
Kotoboke TN |
30-kilometer |
16:00 |
|
|
May 5th, Mon |
Kanetsu |
Sakadonishi SIC |
40-kilometer |
15:00 |
|
|
May 5th, Mon |
Tohoku |
Kazo IC |
30-kilometer |
17:00 |
What to Take Into Account before traveling
Peak Travel Dates
May 3rd to 5th will be the busiest. Try to travel on less crowded days if possible.
No Discounts During Golden Week
Expressway holiday discounts for ETC users usually apply on weekends and holidays. But during Golden Week, these discounts don’t apply to help reduce congestion.
Travel Time
Give yourself extra time in case of traffic delays.
Public Transportation
Trains and other public transportation can be a good choice, as they are less affected by road traffic.
Rest Areas
Popular rest areas get crowded. Plan your stops ahead of time.
Navigation Apps
Use apps to check live traffic updates and choose the best routes.
Useful Tool to Manage Your Plan
DoraTora is a useful website for checking real-time traffic information, congestion forecasts, and work-related restrictions across Japan. It is available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Thai. This service is provided by Zenrin, a long-standing company that conducts research, production, and sales of map information. It could be helpful to check traffic information on the day of your outing.
For more daily useful tips about Japan, please check our How To Guide below.
If you’re thinking about where to go during Golden Week or any other time, be sure to check out our list of things to do.
