tomei

Tomei is a name that can refer to more than one thing, including a major Japanese expressway and an Italian surname. In Japanese romanization, the expressway is written 東名高速道路 and read Tōmei Kōsoku-dōro, often transliterated in English as Tomei. The name derives from pairing Tokyo (Tō) and Nagoya (Mei, from 名, the first character of the city’s name), signaling its route between those cities.

The Tōmei Expressway is a vital corridor in Japan’s expressway network, connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area with the Chūbu region and continuing toward Nagoya. It passes through prefectures such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, and Aichi, and it intersects with other major routes like the Meishin Expressway toward Osaka. Opened in the 1960s and expanded over time, it remains one of the busiest roads in the country, supporting substantial freight and passenger traffic.

Tomei is also an Italian surname. It is borne by individuals of Italian origin, including the American actress Marisa Tomei (born 1964), known for roles in films such as My Cousin Vinny and other works. The surname appears among Italian-descended populations in the United States and elsewhere.

In summary, Tomei can denote a prominent Japanese highway named from Tokyo and Nagoya or serve as an Italian last name carried by notable people.