# Meishin Expressway

The Meishin Expressway (名神高速道路, Meishin Kōsoku-dōro), or Nagoya-Kōbe Expressway 193.9 kilometres (120.5 mi) is a toll expressway in Japan. It runs from a junction with the Tōmei Expressway in Komaki, Aichi (outside Nagoya) west to Nishinomiya, Hyōgo (between Osaka and Kobe). It is the main road link between Osaka and Nagoya, and, along with the Tōmei Expressway, forms the main road link between Osaka and Tokyo. East of the Chūgoku Expressway near Osaka, it is part of Asian Highway Network ( AH1).
The part east of interchange 29 (Yōkaichi) is owned by the Central Nippon Expressway Company; the rest is owned by the West Nippon Expressway Company.

## History

The Meishin Expressway was the first expressway in Japan, with a section near Osaka and Kyoto opening on July 16, 1963.
The Meishin Expressway parallels the old Nakasendō between Kyoto and Nagoya, now Route 8 and Route 21. The Meihan National Highway is a mostly non-tolled freeway between Osaka and Nagoya, lying further south and built to lower standards. The Shin-Meishin Expressway is an under-construction route between Osaka and Nagoya, lying between the two other high-speed roads, that will connect to the Shin-Tōmei Expressway (via the Isewangan Expressway) and the Sanyō Expressway. It roughly parallels the old Tōkaidō (Route 1).
During the Great Hanshin earthquake of January 17, 1995, the Meishin Expressway suffered light damage but could only be used by emergency vehicles for weeks after the earthquake. It was the only remaining link between Osaka and Kobe for some time after the quake.

## List of interchanges and features

Interchanges not yet opened, closed, or abandoned are shown with a gray background. Exit numbers continue from the sequence of the Tomei Expressway.
* IC - interchange, SIC - smart interchange, JCT - junction, PA - parking area, SA - service area, TN - tunnel, BS - Bus stop (S - open, X - closed)
| No. | Name | Connections | Dist. (km) from Tokyo | Bus Stop | Notes | Location | Location |
| Through to Tōmei Expressway ||||||||
| 24 | Komaki IC | National Route 41 (Meinō Bypass) Nagoya ExpresswayRoute 11 (Komaki Route) | 346.7 | | | Komaki | Aichi |
| BS | Iwakura Bus stop | | 350.7 | X | | Iwakura | Aichi |
| PA | Owari-Ichionomiya PA | | 353.2 352.4 | | | Ichinomiya | Aichi |
| 25 | Ichinomiya IC | National Route 22 (Meigi Bypass) Nagoya ExpresswayRoute 16 (Ichinomiya Route) | 355.0 | | | Ichinomiya | Aichi |
| 25-1 | Ichinomiya JCT | Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway Ichinomiya Nishikō Road (Planned) | 359.4 | | | Ichinomiya | Aichi |
| BS | Bisai Bus stop | | 362.9 | X | | Ichinomiya | Aichi |
| BR | Kisogawa Bridge | | | | 1,014 m (3,327 ft) | Ichinomiya | Aichi |
| BR | Kisogawa Bridge | | | | 1,014 m (3,327 ft) | Hashima | Gifu |
| PA | Hashima PA | | 366.0 | X | PA: westbound only | Hashima | Gifu |
| 25-2 | Gifu-Hashima IC | Pref. Route 46 (Gifu-Hashima Interchange Route) | 368.1 | | | Hashima | Gifu |
| BR | Nagaragawa Bridge | | | | 630 m (2,070 ft) | Hashima | Gifu |
| BR | Nagaragawa Bridge | | | | 630 m (2,070 ft) | Anpachi | Gifu |
| BS | Ampachi Bus stop | | 371.3 | X | | Anpachi | Gifu |
| 25-3 | Ampachi SIC | | 371.6 | | | Anpachi | Gifu |
| BR | Kisogawa Bridge | | | | 349 m (1,145 ft) | Anpachi | Gifu |
| BR | Kisogawa Bridge | | | | 349 m (1,145 ft) | Ogaki | Gifu |
| 26 | Ogaki IC | National Route 258 | 374.9 | S | | Ogaki | Gifu |
| 26-1 | Yoro JCT | Tōkai-Kanjō Expressway | 378.5 | | | Yoro | Gifu |
| BS | Yoroguchi Bus stop | | 379.6 | X | | Yoro | Gifu |
| 26-2 | Yoro SA/SIC | | 381.7 | | | Yoro | Gifu |
| PA | Kami-Ishizu PA | | 388.1 | | westbound only abandoned on December 20, 2001 | Ogaki | Gifu |
| 27 | Sekigahara IC | National Route 365 | 389.4 | | | Sekigahara | Gifu |
| TN | Imasu Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 380 m (1,250 ft) westbound: 400 m (1,300 ft) | Sekigahara | Gifu |
| TN | Sekigahara Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 223 m (732 ft) westbound: 240 m (790 ft) | Sekigahara | Gifu |
| TN | Sekigahara Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 223 m (732 ft) westbound: 240 m (790 ft) | Maibara | Shiga |
| BS | Santo Bus stop | | 396.8 | X | | Maibara | Shiga |
| PA | Ibuki PA | | 398.0 398.8 | | | Maibara | Shiga |
| BS | Maibara Bus stop | | 403.7 | X | | Maibara | Shiga |
| 27-1 | Maibara JCT | Hokuriku Expressway | 405.5 | | | Maibara | Shiga |
| TN | Maibara Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 170 m (560 ft) westbound: 150 m (490 ft) | Maibara | Shiga |
| TN | Maibara Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 170 m (560 ft) westbound: 150 m (490 ft) | Hikone | Shiga |
| TN | Hikone Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 430 m (1,410 ft) westbound: 427 m (1,401 ft) | Hikone | Shiga |
| 28 | Hikone IC | National Route 306 | 413.4 | X | | Hikone | Shiga |
| SA | Taga SA | | 418.0 | S | | Taga | Shiga |
| PA | Kora PA | | 421.3 | X | abandoned on September 29, 2005 | Kora | Shiga |
| 28-1 | Koto-Sanzan PA/SIC | Pref. Route 344 (Koto-Sanzan Interchange Route) | 424.6 424.3 | X | | Aisho | Shiga |
| BS | Hyakusaiji Bus stop | | 428.2 | S | | Higashiomi | Shiga |
| 29 | Yokaichi IC | National Route 421 Pref. Route 327 (Koto-Yokaichi Route) | 434.6 | S | | Higashiomi | Shiga |
| PA | Kuromaru PA | | 438.0 | | | Higashiomi | Shiga |
| BS | Gamo Bus stop | | 440.4 | X | | Higashiomi | Shiga |
| 29-1 | Gamo SIC | Pref. Route 41 (Tsuchiyama Gamo Omihachiman Route) | 441.2 | | | Higashiomi | Shiga |
| BS | Ryuo Bus stop | | 443.6 | X | | Ryuo | Shiga |
| 29-2 | Ryuo IC | National Route 477 | 447.2 | | | Ryuo | Shiga |
| PA | Bodaiji PA | | 451.7 451.9 | S | | Konan | Shiga |
| BR | Yasugawa Bridge | | | | | Konan | Shiga |
| BR | Yasugawa Bridge | | | | | Ritto | Shiga |
| 29-3 | Ritto-Konan IC | Koka Konan Road | 457.0 | | Koka Konan Road←→Nagoya: no access | Ritto | Shiga |
| 30 | Ritto IC | National Route 8 Yasu Ritto Bypass (planned) National Route 1 Pref. Route 55 (Kamitoyama Kamimagari Route) | 458.2 | X | Japan's first expressway route (to Amagasaki): opened on July 16, 1963 | Ritto | Shiga |
| BS | Kusatsu Bus stop | | 461.7 | X | | Kusatsu | Shiga |
| 30-1 | Kusatsu JCT | Shin-Meishin Expressway Otsu Connection Route | 464.4 | | | Kusatsu | Shiga |
| PA | Kusatsu PA | | 465.6 | | | Kusatsu | Shiga |
| PA | Kusatsu PA | | 465.6 | | | Otsu | Shiga |
| 30-2 | Seta-higashi JCT/IC | Keiji Bypass (toll route) National Route 1 (Keiji Bypass free route) | 467.5 | | westbound exit, eastbound entrance | Otsu | Shiga |
| 30-2 | Seta-nishi IC/Bus stop | Pref. Route 57 (Seta-nishi Interchange Route) | 469.0 | X | eastbound exit, westbound entrance | Otsu | Shiga |
| BR | Setagawa Bridge | | | | 500 m (1,600 ft) | Otsu | Shiga |
| 31 | Otsu IC/SA | Pref. Route 56 (Otsu Interchange Route) | 474.6 | X | | Otsu | Shiga |
| TN | Otsu Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 430 m (1,410 ft) westbound: 418 m (1,371 ft) | Otsu | Shiga |
| BR | Semimaru Bridge | | | | 62 m (203 ft) | Otsu | Shiga |
| TN | Semimaru Tunnel | | | | eastbound: 387 m (1,270 ft) westbound: 376 m (1,234 ft) | Otsu | Shiga |
| 32 | Kyoto-higashi IC | Pref. Route 143 (Shinomiya Yotsuzuka Route, Sanjo Street) National Route 1 (Gojo Bypass) National Route 161 (Nishi-Otsu Bypass) | 477.9 | | | Yamashina-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| BS | Yamashina Bus stop | | 481.0 | X | | Yamashina-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| BS | Fukakusa Bus stop | | 486.0 | S | | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| - | Kyoto-minami JCT | Second Keihan Highway | | | planned for 2021 | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| 33 | Kyoto-minami IC | National Route 1 (Keihan National Road) | 487.6 | | entrances, westbound exit | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| 33-1 | Kyoto-minami IC | National Route 1 (Keihan National Road) | 487.6 | | eastbound 1st exit | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| 33-2 | Kyoto-minami IC | National Route 1 (Keihan National Road) | 487.6 | | eastbound 2nd exit | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| BR | Katsuragawa Bridge | | | | | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| PA | Katsuragawa PA | | 490.4 | | | Fushimi-ku, Kyoto | Kyoto |
| 33-3 | Oyamazaki JCT/IC | Kyoto Jukan Expressway Keiji Bypass National Route 171 | 495.7 | S | Left Route | Oyamazaki | Kyoto |
| TN | Tennozan Tunnel | | | | eastbound Right Route: 1,718 m (5,636 ft) eastbound Left Route: 2,010 m (6,590 ft) westbound Right Route: 1,488 m (4,882 ft) westbound Left Route: 1,440 m (4,720 ft) | Oyamazaki | Kyoto |
| TN | Tennozan Tunnel | | | | eastbound Right Route: 1,718 m (5,636 ft) eastbound Left Route: 2,010 m (6,590 ft) westbound Right Route: 1,488 m (4,882 ft) westbound Left Route: 1,440 m (4,720 ft) | Shimamoto | Osaka |
| TN | Kajiwara Tunnel | | | | Kajiwara Daini Tunnel eastbound Right Route: 180 m (590 ft) Kajiwara Daini Tunnel eastbound Left Route: 180 m (590 ft) Kajiwara Daini Tunnel westbound Right Route: 150 m (490 ft) Kajiwara Tunnel westbound Left Route: 870 m (2,850 ft) Kajiwara Daiichi Tunnel eastbound Right Route: 740 m (2,430 ft) Kajiwara Daiichi Tunnel eastbound Left Route: 700 m (2,300 ft) Kajiwara Daiichi Tunnel westbound Right Route: 820 m (2,690 ft) | Shimamoto | Osaka |
| TN | Kajiwara Tunnel | | | | Kajiwara Daini Tunnel eastbound Right Route: 180 m (590 ft) Kajiwara Daini Tunnel eastbound Left Route: 180 m (590 ft) Kajiwara Daini Tunnel westbound Right Route: 150 m (490 ft) Kajiwara Tunnel westbound Left Route: 870 m (2,850 ft) Kajiwara Daiichi Tunnel eastbound Right Route: 740 m (2,430 ft) Kajiwara Daiichi Tunnel eastbound Left Route: 700 m (2,300 ft) Kajiwara Daiichi Tunnel westbound Right Route: 820 m (2,690 ft) | Takatsuki | Osaka |
| PA | Sakurai PA | | 503.5 | | Abandoned in March 1998 | Takatsuki | Osaka |
| 11 | Takatsuki JCT/IC | Shin-Meishin Expressway Osaka Pref. Route 79 (Fushimi-Yanagitani-Takatsuki Route) | 504.0 | | | Takatsuki | Osaka |
| BS | Takatsuki Bus stop | | 506.3 | S | | Takatsuki | Osaka |
| 34 | Ibaraki IC | National Route 171 | 511.7 | S | | Ibaraki | Osaka |
| 35 | Suita JCT/IC | Chugoku Expressway Kinki Expressway Pref. Route 2 (Osaka Chuo Kanjosen) | 514.5 | | Chugoku Expwy←→Nishinomiya: no access | Suita | Osaka |
| SA | Suita SA | | 517.8 | | | Suita | Osaka |
| TN | Senriyama Tunnel | | | | 508 m (1,667 ft) | Suita | Osaka |
| TN | Senriyama Tunnel | | | | 508 m (1,667 ft) | Toyonaka | Osaka |
| 36 | Toyonaka IC | Hanshin Expressway Route 11 Ikeda Line Pref. Route 10 (Osaka Ikeda Route) | 524.5 | | | Toyonaka | Osaka |
| BR | Inagawa Bridge | | | | | Amagasaki | Hyogo |
| 37 | Amagasaki IC | Pref. Route 13 (Amagasaki Ikeda Route) | 529.4 | | Japan's first expressway route (to Ritto): opened on July 16, 1963 | Amagasaki | Hyogo |
| BR | Mukogawa Bridge | | | | | Amagasaki | Hyogo |
| BR | Mukogawa Bridge | | | | | Nishinomiya | Hyogo |
| 38 | Nishinomiya IC | Hanshin Expressway Kobe Route (for Kobe) National Route 43 | 536.2 | | | Nishinomiya | Hyogo |
| Meishin-Wangan Connection Route (planned) ||||||||