ETC Time-Based Pricing Trial on the Seisho Bypass
Overview
Starting November 28, 2026, a social experiment will apply time-based ETC tolls for kei cars and other vehicles, as well as ordinary cars, at the Ishibashi Tollgate exit (toward Atami and Yugawara) on the Seisho Bypass on weekends and public holidays. This will be the second such case nationwide, following the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line. See the attached document for details. The experiment is set against the backdrop of highway congestion and recommendations in an interim report on toll policies.
Key points
- The Seisho Bypass trial is the second ETC time-based tolling social experiment nationwide.
- The trial begins on November 28, 2026.
- The trial will run on weekends and public holidays at the Ishibashi Tollgate exit toward Atami and Yugawara, for kei cars and other vehicles, as well as ordinary cars.
Overview
Highways experience chronic congestion when traffic concentrates on particular time periods or road sections, preventing roads from fully performing their intended functions.
An August 2021 interim report by the National Trunk Road Subcommittee recommended full-scale introduction of tolls that discount or surcharge travel during specific time periods or on specific routes to ease congestion caused by uneven traffic demand.
Following this recommendation, time-based ETC tolls are being implemented on the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line as a social experiment to promote smarter use of the road network.
Impact
The stated aim of the toll measures is to ease chronic congestion caused by traffic concentrated in particular time periods or road sections.
Details
In this trial, tolls will vary by time period. It covers kei cars and other vehicles, as well as ordinary cars, at the Ishibashi Tollgate exit on the Seisho Bypass toward Atami and Yugawara, on weekends and public holidays. See the attached document for specific tolls, time periods, and other details of the social experiment.