While the end of the new coronavirus infection is not foreseeable, this is the first Obon holiday period in three years that does not involve movement restrictions.


The 11th is the peak of the homecoming rush for people who spend the Obon holidays in their hometowns and resorts, and each transportation system and highways are congested from the morning.

Shinkansen

According to JR companies, the number of Shinkansen reservations during this year's Obon period is only about 60% compared to the same period four years ago before the spread of infection, but it has increased compared to last year. .



As of 10:30 a.m. on the 11th, the reserved seats on the outbound Shinkansen trains arriving at and departing from Tokyo Station were crowded, and the non-reserved seats were on the Tokaido Shinkansen heading from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, and ▽ Tokyo. Some trains, such as the Hokuriku Shinkansen heading from to Kanazawa, have over 100% occupancy.

the plane is

According to airlines, the number of reservations on the 11th is about 240,000 people in total for All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, which is close to the highest number since the spread of the infection last year.

the highway

According to the Japan Road Traffic Information Center, as of 11:00 a.m. on the


Meishin Expressway, traffic congestion on the expressway is 24 km from the vicinity of the Otsu Interchange in Shiga Prefecture


. 22 km starting near the Takasaka service area in the prefecture ▽


21 km starting near the Fujino parking area in Kanagawa prefecture on the outbound Chuo Expressway ▽


On the outbound line of the Tomei Expressway near the Ebina service area in Kanagawa prefecture 21 kilometers to the top,


and so on.

Narita Airport Departure Rush Peaks

At Narita Airport on the 11th, the departure rush of people spending the Obon holiday abroad has reached its peak.



In the international departure lobby of Narita Airport, families with large suitcases formed long lines at the airline counters from the morning.



According to the Narita Airport Company, about 200,000 people are expected to enter and leave Narita Airport from August 10 to 21, about 4.5 times more than the same period last year. About 10,200 people are expected to leave the country.



The reasons for the increase are that there are no restrictions on movement for the first time in three years, and that restrictions are being relaxed around the world. It means that



At Narita Airport, so-called resort routes such as Hawaii and Guam are resuming operations one after another.



A man traveling to Guam with his family said, "It's been three years since I've traveled overseas.



The eldest daughter, who is in the sixth grade of elementary school, said, "It's the last summer vacation of elementary school, so I want to make a lot of memories with her family."



A woman who went to Guam with her friend said, "I want to enjoy shopping and swimming with sea turtles in the sea while being careful about infection control."



The return rush at Narita Airport is expected to peak on August 21st.

Haneda Airport Many passengers early in the morning

During the Obon holidays, domestic flights reach their peak on the 11th, and Haneda Airport is visited by many young people and families from early in the morning.



Domestic flights departing from Haneda in the morning were almost fully booked, and some people were seen using the private PCR testing facility set up at the airport.



A company employee in his 30s who is returning to his parents' home in Saga Prefecture with his 5-year-old daughter and wife said, "I'm looking forward to returning home for the first time in three years. The whole family took an antibody test and was negative, but be careful. I want to spend it," he said.



A company employee in his 20s who just registered this month said, "I'm going to Okinawa on my honeymoon. I'd like to continue my usual infection control measures, such as avoiding places where people gather and washing my hands and gargling thoroughly." was talking

JR Tokyo Station There is also a long line at the non-reserved seat platform

The platform of the Tokaido Shinkansen at JR Tokyo Station was crowded with many families heading home or traveling from the morning, and there was a long line at the non-reserved seat platform.



A woman who is going back to her husband's parents' house in Osaka with her two children, ages 2 and 4, said, "It's been a long time since I've been out with my family. We and our parents need the opportunity to meet once in a while, so this time, we decided to go home after doing a PCR test.I think the parents will be happy with the growth of their children."



A woman who is going back to Kyoto with her daughter, who is in elementary school and junior high school, said, "I couldn't go back to my hometown, but I'm prepared to visit a grave. I was talking.

JR Shin-Osaka Station Crowded from the morning

The Shinkansen platform at JR Shin-Osaka Station is crowded with families and groups of young people carrying suitcases and souvenirs from the morning.



According to JR, the occupancy rate of unreserved seats on the Shinkansen departing from Shin-Osaka Station is 110% to 130% for the outbound Nozomi train from the first train to 10:00 am, and close to 100% all day on the 11th. Congestion is expected.



On the other hand, there is no noticeable congestion on the uphill side.



A man in his 30s from Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, who is going back to his parents' house in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture, with his wife and five-year-old son, said, "It's been two years since I've been back home, so I want my parents to see my grandchild's face as soon as possible. I want to."



A man in his 30s from Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, who is going back to his wife's parents' house in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, said, "I'm looking forward to taking my 2-year-old son to the beach for the first time."



On the other hand, Shin-Osaka Station has a test site where you can take a test for the new coronavirus for free, and Osaka Prefecture wants you to check the negative test before returning home or traveling to prevent the spread of infection. I am calling.

Congestion centered on the Tohoku Shinkansen outbound

At JR Sendai Station, every time a train arrived, people with large suitcases and souvenirs would get off the platform.



A woman in her 60s who returned from Saitama Prefecture said, "I'm afraid of being infected with Corona, so I've completed my fourth vaccination and plan to stay for one night. Still, I hope I can take it easy." was talking



A 5-year-old boy who came from Tokyo to see his grandparents said, "I'm looking forward to catching bugs with my grandpa and grandma."



The use of the Tohoku Shinkansen has increased compared to last year and the year before, when there was a record drop due to the influence of the new corona, but there are vacant seats on some trains, and according to JR East, as of 10:00 am on the 11th. The outbound occupancy rate is ▽ non-reserved seats 50% to 80%, ▽ reserved seats 70% to 80%.