Holiday traffic in Japan is expected to hit a high on January 2nd and 3rd, according to a recent report. The high-speed highway congestion forecast suggests major roads across the country will be at peak congestion following the New Year's holiday, a period when people often travel to visit families or take vacations. Travelers are being urged to plan accordingly to avoid delays.

In Japan, the New Year holiday, known as Shōgatsu, is one of the most important annual holidays. It's traditionally a time when people return to their hometowns to visit relatives, pay respects at local shrines, and relax. Therefore, navigating nationwide travel during this peak period is a common concern and the focus for many transport and government agencies.

This is similar to the peak travel periods experienced during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in the US or the holiday migration, called the "grand depart", in Europe. Major traffic jams are expected, and relevant authorities provide continuous updates and suggestions to the public to mitigate the impact.