A: Hey there! Any plans for this weekend?

B: Nah, I think I'll just relax at home. Why do you ask?

A: Because it's the Bon holiday season and everyone is traveling! Trains and planes are super crowded!

B: Really?! I didn't know that. Where did you hear about this?

A: Oh, from the news. Seems like all Shinkansen bullet trains bound for Tokyo are fully booked today, even the Nozomi services. The same goes for flights to Haneda Airport and some other destinations.

B: Whoa, that sounds chaotic! I guess people really want to visit their families during Bon.

A: Definitely! And even though traffic jams peaked on Friday and Saturday, there are still traffic jams forecasted for today. There's a 25-kilometer backup on the Kan-Etsu Expressway near Sakado-nishi interchange in Saitama Prefecture, and another 20-kilometer backup on the Tomei Expressway near Ayase interchange in Kanagawa Prefecture.

B: That's quite a long traffic jam! I think I'll stay indoors today to avoid all that chaos. Let's catch up next week when things have calmed down.

A: Sounds like a plan! Have a great day, and enjoy your quiet weekend at home!
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Throngs of travelers returning from their hometowns and holiday destinations are crowding railways and airports as Japan's mid-August Bon holiday season wraps up.



Japan Railway companies say congestion on Shinkansen bullet trains bound for Tokyo is peaking on Sunday.



All Nozomi services -- the fastest trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and Osaka -- require reservations during the Bon holidays.



Before Sunday noon, almost all the seats on those trains bound for the capital were booked for both morning and afternoon departures on the day. The same was true for bullet trains heading from northern Japan to Tokyo, such as Hayabusa, Komachi and Tsubasa.



Domestic flights heading to Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Osaka and some other destinations are also crowded.



Japan Airlines says bookings have been peaking since Saturday through Sunday. All Nippon Airways reports that reservations for Sunday are the second highest this month after Thursday.



The Japan Road Traffic Information Center says it seems that congestion on expressways peaked from Friday to Saturday. But traffic jams are still expected on some stretches on Sunday.



No major traffic jams had been reported on expressways toward Tokyo as of 11 a.m. on Sunday. But congestion is forecast in the afternoon, including a 25-kilometer backup on the Kan-Etsu Expressway near the Sakado-nishi interchange in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo.



The center also expects a 20-kilometer backup on the Tomei Expressway near the Ayase interchange in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo.
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Quiz 1:
Question text: Which trains require reservations during Japan's Bon holidays on the Tokaido Shinkansen line?
A. All Nozomi services are optional
B. Some local trains do not require reservations
C. All Shinkansen bullet trains do not require reservations
D. None of the above, only some specific Nozomi services require reservations

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 1: D

Quiz 2:
Question text: What is the second highest booking for flights this month in Japan Airlines?
A. Tuesday
B. Wednesday
C. Sunday
D. Thursday

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 2: C

Quiz 3:
Question text: Where is congestion on the Kan-Etsu Expressway expected in the afternoon on Sunday?
A. In Tokyo
B. North of Tokyo at Sakado-nishi interchange
C. South of Tokyo
D. Not on any stretch of the Kan-Etsu Expressway

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 3: B