Traffic update: Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway closed in both directions between Hida Kiyomi IC and Shirakawa-go IC due to a broken-down vehicle (as of 12:15 PM on the 21st)

The Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway is a major highway in Japan connecting the Chubu and Hokuriku regions, linking cities like Nagoya with Toyama and Kanazawa. Its construction began in the 1970s, with sections opening gradually to improve transportation and economic ties between the Pacific coast and the Sea of Japan side. The expressway plays a vital role in regional travel and commerce, passing through scenic mountainous areas and contributing to the development of central Japan.

Hida Kiyomi IC is an interchange on the Chubu-Ōdan Expressway located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, serving the Hida region. It provides access to the scenic mountainous area known for its traditional crafts, such as Hida woodwork, and nearby cultural sites like the historic Shirakawa-go village. The interchange was opened as part of the expressway’s development to improve connectivity in the region, which has long been a center for tourism and local industry.

Shirakawago IC is an interchange on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway in Japan, serving as the main gateway to the historic village of Shirakawa-go. This area is famous for its traditional Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are over 250 years old and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village’s architecture and layout date back to the Edo period, reflecting a unique communal lifestyle adapted to heavy snowfall.