Shuto Expressway is a network of toll expressways in the Greater TokyoArea of Japan. It is operated and maintained by the Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. Most routes are grade-separated and central routes have many sharp curves and multi-lane merges that require caution to drive safely. The speed limit is 60 km/h on most routes, but 80 km/h on the Bayshore Route, and 50 km/h on the Inner Circular Route. All trips on the expressway require a toll be paid. As of 2014, the cash toll for a standard-size car is ¥1300 regardless of distance traveled. Vehicles using the ETC toll-collection system pay a distance-based toll ranging from ¥300 to ¥1300 for ordinary vehicles – in some cases substantially less than the previous fixed-rate toll. Lower cash rates exist for certain radial routes and ETC users have various time-of-day discounts. For large vehicles, the toll is doubled.
The Metropolitan Expressway was first built between Kyobashi Exit in Chūō, Tokyo and Shibaura Exit in Minato, Tokyo in 1962 for the purpose of increasing traffic flow efficiency in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, thus optimizing and improving the functionality of the traffic system. Since then, 280 kilometers of highway network has been built in the Tokyo metropolitan area; 30 kilometers more of highway are either constructed or planned, making the Metropolitan Expressway a vast network of urban expressways in the Tokyo region.
Motorcycles with passengers
Like all other expressways in Japan, two-wheeled motorcycles with passengers were banned for many years. Even though a legal amendment on 1 April 2005 generally allows a person aged at least 20 with a motorcycle driver license for at least 3 years to carry a passenger on a two-wheel motorcycle on an expressway, some segments of the Shuto still prohibit passengers. These segments include the important C1 route and adjoining central Tokyo routes. With the opening of the Yamate Tunnel Ohashi junction in 2010, motorcycles with passengers are finally able to pass through the Shuto Expressway from the Tōmei Expressway to other expressways using the C2 route, although this can be a much longer drive in some cases. See for details.
Parking areas
There are 21 parking areas scattered throughout the Shuto Expressway system. In general these are much smaller than the service areas available every or so on inter-city expressways. In some cases they are no more than toilets, a few vending machines, and a handful of parking spaces. None have fuel – drivers must exit the system to use a service station.
Street racing
Like other expressways in Japan including the Tōmei Expressway, the Shuto line has become a common street racing road. One of the lines, Bayshore Route, received worldwide notoriety during the 1990s as the home course for the Mid Night Club, one of the most notorious street racing clubs, who were known for their 300 km/h, sometimes 320 km/h exploits. Due to this infamy, the Wangan is the setting for several entertainment properties, such as the manga and arcade gameWangan Midnight, video gamesShutokou Battle and Gran Turismo 5, 6 and Sport and the movie seriesShuto Kousoku Trial. Numerous car enthusiast magazines and DVDs, like Best Motoring, also highlight races and activities on the Wangan.
