A new bullet train service began Saturday connecting the central Japanese city of Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture to Tokyo in 3 hours and 8 minutes -- 50 minutes faster than before.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen extension is expected to boost prospects for the local economy and reconstruction of neighboring areas affected by the New Year's Day earthquake.
A crowd gathered at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture to witness the departure of the first Tokyo-bound train.
One of the passengers said that he never dreamed of having a Shinkansen line extending to Fukui when he was little. He said he was impressed.
Meanwhile, shop owners are hopeful the bullet train will boost their businesses.
Kawatou Masaki, a souvenir shop owner, said that he heard new shops will be opening and that they need to work on ways to energize the area.
The train's new section from Tsuruga to Kanazawa covers 125 kilometers. Six new stations were built, including the Kaga Onsen station near famous resorts in Ishikawa Prefecture. The Noto Peninsula in the prefecture's north was seriously damaged in the New Year's Day quake.
A program was started on Saturday offering visitors discounts of up to 50 percent on hotels aiming to help rebuild the economy in the affected area.
One visitor said that she wants to do something to help people in the area because she experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that hit in 1995.
Planning is underway to extend the Hokuriku Shinkansen line further to Shin-Osaka, western Japan.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen extension is expected to boost prospects for the local economy and reconstruction of neighboring areas affected by the New Year's Day earthquake.
A crowd gathered at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture to witness the departure of the first Tokyo-bound train.
One of the passengers said that he never dreamed of having a Shinkansen line extending to Fukui when he was little. He said he was impressed.
Meanwhile, shop owners are hopeful the bullet train will boost their businesses.
Kawatou Masaki, a souvenir shop owner, said that he heard new shops will be opening and that they need to work on ways to energize the area.
The train's new section from Tsuruga to Kanazawa covers 125 kilometers. Six new stations were built, including the Kaga Onsen station near famous resorts in Ishikawa Prefecture. The Noto Peninsula in the prefecture's north was seriously damaged in the New Year's Day quake.
A program was started on Saturday offering visitors discounts of up to 50 percent on hotels aiming to help rebuild the economy in the affected area.
One visitor said that she wants to do something to help people in the area because she experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that hit in 1995.
Planning is underway to extend the Hokuriku Shinkansen line further to Shin-Osaka, western Japan.
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Summary
New Hokuriku Shinkansen extension launched, reducing travel time from Tsuruga to Tokyo by 50 minutes. Expected to boost local economy and reconstruction efforts following the New Year's Day earthquake. Passengers express enthusiasm, shop owners anticipate increased business. Discount programs
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ID: 965136e2-fd16-4662-a39a-c5f28eee89e8
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240317_02/
Date: March 17, 2024
Created: 2024/03/17 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 16:23
Last Read: 2024/03/17 15:43