The long-awaited extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen “Kanazawa-Tsuruga” section has finally opened on March 16, bringing faster and more convenient travel options to passengers. The inaugural train, named “Glorious” No. 502, departed from Fukui City bound for Tokyo, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s high-speed rail network.
After more than half a century since the construction plan was finalized in 1973, the Shinkansen network has now expanded to Fukui Prefecture. The new extension has reduced the travel time between Tokyo and Fukui to just 2 hours and 51 minutes, saving passengers 33 minutes compared to the previous transfer time between the Tokaido Shinkansen and ordinary line limited express trains. This improved transportation convenience is expected to attract more tourists to the region and promote post-disaster reconstruction efforts on the Noto Peninsula.
An opening ceremony was held at Tsuruga Station before the departure of the first train to Tokyo. Kazuaki Hasegawa, the President of West Japan Railway Company (JR West), expressed his excitement at the long-awaited opening, stating, “After waiting for 51 years, the opening day is finally here. I hope more people will ride the Shinkansen and experience the benefits of high-speed rail travel.”
The extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen marks a significant milestone in Japan’s transportation infrastructure development. The last new section of the Shinkansen to open was the “Takeo Onsen-Nagasaki” section of the West Kyushu Shinkansen in September 2022, further expanding the reach and accessibility of Japan’s high-speed rail network.