While the number of new coronavirus infections continues at a record high nationwide, the U-turn rush of this year's Obon festival, which is not accompanied by restrictions on movement for the first time in three years, will peak on the 14th, and congestion is expected in the afternoon.
According to JR companies, the number of Shinkansen reservations during this year's Obon period is only about 60% compared to the same period before the spread of infection (2018), but it has increased compared to last year. increase.
There was no noticeable congestion in the morning, but the congestion peaked on the 14th for the inbound train, and in the afternoon, reserved seats on many trains, including the Tohoku Shinkansen, were full.
Also, according to airlines, the number of passengers on the flights will be dispersed until the 16th, and although some flights from various places to Haneda Airport are full, there is no noticeable congestion.
According to the Japan Road Traffic Information Center, as
of 11:00 am,
there is a 22-kilometer traffic jam on the outbound line of the Kanetsu Expressway, starting near the Takasaka service area.
Heavy traffic is expected from the afternoon
of the 14th to late at night
. 35km
▽Tohoku Expressway inbound line near Kazo Interchange is expected to lead for 35km,
▽Chuo Expressway inbound line near Kobotoke Tunnel
is expected to lead for 30km.
JR Tokyo Station No big congestion
Although there was no heavy congestion on the Shinkansen platform at JR Tokyo Station, families were seen returning home from their trips in the morning.
A 37-year-old man who returned to his parents' home in Nagoya with a 5-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy said, "In Tokyo, there were no festivals or fireworks displays, and no emergency declaration was issued, so I returned home. I was supposed to go back to Tokyo yesterday, but due to the typhoon, the Shinkansen was canceled, so I postponed my trip by one day. I'm glad I came back," he said.
A 5-year-old girl also said, "She enjoyed going to the festival."
Also, a 12-year-old boy from Shiga who was visiting Tokyo by himself to see his father, who was away from home, said, "It's a bit regrettable, but I was happy that my father picked up a prize at the game center and talked with him. I was worried about what I would do if I couldn't go home due to a typhoon yesterday."
Haneda Airport No congestion in the morning
The arrival lobby at Haneda Airport was not crowded in the morning, but there were many families returning to their hometowns and those who had just finished their trips.
A 33-year-old woman who had returned to Yamaguchi Prefecture with her two sons, ages 4 and 2, said, ``The weather was good, so I enjoyed bathing in a nearby park every day. I'm doing an examination. My parents were very happy because I can only see them about once every six months."
An 8-year-old girl who visited her grandmother's house in Hiroshima prefecture by herself said, "She spent her time reading books. I talked to her grandmother about her English conversation lessons." was
A 41-year-old father who came to pick her up at the airport said, ``Since there is less risk of infection than traveling with a large family, I have had my daughter undergo a PCR test in advance, and since last year, I have been sending my daughter home alone.'' was talking
A 50-year-old woman who traveled to Okinawa with her family for the first time since the spread of the new coronavirus said, "It was my fifth trip to Okinawa, but I felt that there were fewer tourists than usual. Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy the beach with fewer people." I talked to you.
Also, my son in the third year of junior high school said, "It relieved my daily stress."
On the other hand, some people changed their plans because the flight on the 13th was canceled due to the typhoon.
A 40-year-old woman who had returned to her parents' home in Fukuoka Prefecture with her three sons said, "I was planning to go home yesterday, but due to the typhoon, I changed it to today, and the children were happy instead. Pools and barbecues etc. I enjoyed it, and I was able to leave the children to my parents and spend a relaxing time."
Airlines are planning to operate as usual on the 14th, but are calling for the latest information on their websites.
New Chitose Airport crowded with families and tourists
New Chitose Airport was crowded with families and tourists with large luggage and souvenirs from the morning of the 14th, and a long line was formed in front of the airline counter.
Also, in the departure lobby, people who came to see them off waved their hands and took pictures to say goodbye.
A girl in the second grade of elementary school in Nagoya said, ``I went to my grandpa's house in Sapporo and played in Niseko.
Also, a couple in their 20s from Chiba Prefecture who were visiting on a trip said, "I saw flowers in Furano and interacted with nature, and I ate while walking in Otaru. The food unique to the land was also delicious," he said.
According to airlines, the number of reservations for flights departing and arriving in Hokkaido during the Obon period has recovered to about 80% of the number before the spread of the new corona infection as of the 29th of last month.
It seems that the lack of action restrictions such as requests to refrain from going out has had an impact.
Air flights returning from Hokkaido to the metropolitan area are expected to be crowded on the 16th.