The extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line in Japan opens

Rail Transit Exhibition News Japan's Hokuriku New Line 1 Tsuruga Extension Section was officially opened to traffic on Saturday (16th), and in the future, passengers can take the Shinkansen directly from Tokyo to Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture in 3 hours and 8 minutes at the earliest, saving nearly 50 minutes by car than in the past.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first Shinkansen train from Tsuruga to Tokyo, JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa said, "After 51 years of waiting, we are finally celebrating our opening day, and I hope that more people will be able to take the Shinkansen than ever before. ”

The 125km stretch of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga features six new stations along the way, two of which are located in Ishikawa Prefecture, where Kanazawa is located, and the other four are located in Fukui Prefecture. The new route shortens the travel time between Tokyo and Fukui by 33 minutes, and to Tsuruga by nearly 50 minutes, compared to the previous limited express train

With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension, the Koei and Shirataka will make 14 round-trip trips a day from Tokyo to Tsuruga. The Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck on January 1, 2024 caused many people to cancel travel between Ishikawa and Fukui prefectures, and the industry is expecting more tourists from the opening of the Shinkansen.

According to the plan, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is planned to be extended to Osaka eventually, but due to the delay in the environmental assessment, the start time of construction has not yet been determined.

Related recommendation: Rail Transit Exhibition Booth Reservation Rail Transit Exhibition Free registration for visit