The Obon holiday travel season has begun amidst concerns over a recent megaquake advisory. The advisory, issued on Friday, has put authorities and the public on high alert regarding potential earthquake risks along the Nankai Trough.
Reports from major airlines indicate that many domestic flights leaving Tokyo’s Haneda Airport were fully booked, particularly for areas that may be affected by a Nankai Trough earthquake. The Nankai Trough is an 800-kilometer undersea fault line stretching from Shizuoka Prefecture to Kyushu Island, known for its history of seismic activity.
Tokyo Station, a key rail transit hub, has experienced an increase in passenger volume. Reserved seats on departing trains, especially the Tokyo Shinkansen, were completely filled. As a precautionary measure, all Shinkansen lines have reduced their running speeds in response to the advisory.
Japan Railways (JR) firms have seen a significant rise in reserved seat bookings for both shinkansen and regular trains during the Obon holiday weekend. This reflects people’s desire to travel despite concerns about seismic activity; reservations are nearly 1.2 times higher than last year.
Airlines have also observed that domestic flight bookings for this holiday season are consistent with previous years’ levels. This suggests that while there may be questions surrounding the advisory, it has not deterred many people from traveling as planned.
In addition to rail and air transportation, expressway managers anticipate heavy road congestion during the Obon travels. They predict traffic jams of over 10 kilometers throughout the weekend.
The Obon festival is a major event in Japan characterized by family gatherings and visits to ancestral graves. However, this year’s celebrations are being closely monitored due to the potential threat of a significant earthquake.
Authorities urge visitors to stay informed and prepared for any crisis during this busy travel season. Safety should be prioritized as travel activities increase during this time.
