Traveling in Japan, one can always feel the unique charm of order and cultural allure. However, an unexpected incident in April 2025 added a heartwarming twist to Japan’s highway journeys—a true “conscience passage” experiment.
In the early hours of April 8, the electronic toll collection (ETC) system of Central Nippon Expressway Company (NEXCO Central) crashed due to an update error, rendering toll gates across Japan’s highways virtually nonexistent, allowing vehicles to pass freely.
Faced with this sudden chaos, Japanese traffic authorities made a surprising decision instead of setting up temporary toll booths: they allowed all vehicles to pass for free, gently reminding drivers to “calculate their travel distance online at home and pay the toll later.” This was not only a test of civic integrity but also an unforgettable highway experience for travelers.
For tourists driving through Japan, this was an unexpected delight. From the cherry blossom-lined routes between Tokyo and Kyoto to the coastal highways stretching from Hokkaido to Kyushu, drivers could cruise unhindered on picturesque roads.
Many foreign tourists shared their experiences on social media, marveling at Japan’s trust in civic responsibility. An Australian backpacker wrote on a community platform: “I drove from Osaka to Nagoya without paying a cent, but now I’m seriously figuring out how to pay the toll! This is Japan’s magic!”
After the incident, NEXCO Central quickly launched a simple online platform where drivers could input their routes to calculate and pay the toll. Remarkably, within just one day, 24,000 drivers proactively contacted the company, expressing their willingness to settle their fees. This act of integrity reflected Japan’s deep-rooted culture of trust, adding a layer of warmth to the journey.
For travelers planning a road trip in Japan, highways are more than just convenient networks—they carry cultural and human significance. Whether driving along the Tomei Expressway at the foot of Mount Fuji or winding through the San’in Coast, remember to follow traffic rules and carry a heart of respect for local culture. Perhaps on your next trip, you’ll experience the beautiful interplay of integrity and travel in this land.
However, there’s a small twist to the story: statistics show that around 920,000 vehicles traveled the highways during the 38-hour period, yet only 24,000 drivers voluntarily paid their tolls. It seems that even in a nation of integrity, some chose to quietly keep their “conscience” in the car, driving off with a mischievous smile. 😉
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