Template:Short description Template:Expand Japanese Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox rail line
The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Template:Langx) is a high-speed Shinkansen railway line connecting Tokyo with Tsuruga in the Hokuriku region of Japan. It is jointly operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West).
The first section, between Template:STN and Template:STN in Nagano Prefecture, opened on 1 October 1997 in time for the 1998 Winter Olympics, and was originally called the Template:Nihongo. The extension to Template:STN in Toyama Prefecture and Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture opened on 14 March 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Construction of a further section onward to Template:STN and Template:STN in Fukui Prefecture, covering 125 kilometers and six stations, commenced in 2012 and opened on 16 March 2024.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The route of the final section to Shin-Osaka was decided on 20 December 2016 as the Osaka–Kyoto route,<ref name="railwaygazette.com">Template:Cite news</ref> with construction expected to begin in the late 2020s and take about 25 years, after impact assessment procedures for areas along the line are completed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Train names and service patternsEdit
Since March 2015, services on the line are split into four types, with train names as listed below.<ref name="jreast20140827">Template:Cite press release</ref> Trains operate over the Joetsu and Tohoku Shinkansen tracks between Tokyo and Takasaki.
- Template:Color box Kagayaki: Tokyo–Tsuruga, limited-stop service, since 14 March 2015
- Template:Color box Hakutaka: Tokyo–Tsuruga, mostly all-stations service, since 14 March 2015
- Template:Color box Tsurugi: Toyama–Tsuruga, mostly all-stations shuttle service, since 14 March 2015
- Template:Color box Asama: Tokyo–Nagano, mostly all-stations service, corresponding to existing Nagano Shinkansen service introduced in 1997
The original Nagano Shinkansen Asama services, introduced in 1997, replaced the conventional Shin'etsu Main Line limited express services, also named Asama, which previously took 2 hours 50 minutes from Tokyo (Ueno Station) to Nagano. Following the opening of the Shinkansen, part of the conventional line was abandoned between Yokokawa and Karuizawa. This section included the steeply-graded Usui Pass which required the use of bank engines on all trains. Travel time between Tokyo and Tsuruga is 3 hours 8 minutes, 50 minutes shorter than using a conventional train between Kanazawa and Tsuruga.<ref name="newswitch20240316">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
StationsEdit
Legend:
| ● | All trains stop |
|---|---|
| ▲ | Some trains stop |
| ｜ | All trains pass |
- The boundary between JR East and JR West lies immediately to the north of Jōetsumyōkō Station.
- Stations in italics are not currently operational.
NotesEdit
As of 2024, the maximum line speed is Template:Convert between Tokyo and Ueno, Template:Convert between Ueno and Omiya,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Convert between Omiya and Takasaki,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Template:Convert between Takasaki and Tsuruga.<ref name="railfan612">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Rolling stockEdit
- E7 series 12-car "F" sets" (since 15 March 2014)<ref name="dj361">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- W7 series 12-car "W" sets" (since 14 March 2015)
With the start of Nagano Shinkansen services, trains were operated by a new fleet of JR East E2 series 8-car sets. A fleet of 17 new E7 series 12-car trainsets were phased in from March 2014, and these were augmented by a fleet of 10 JR West W7 series 12-car sets introduced from March 2015. The fleet of W7 series was purchased at a cost of ¥32.8 billion.<ref name=JT131019/> The remaining E2 series trainsets were withdrawn from Hokuriku Shinkansen services on 31 March 2017.<ref name="yomiuri20170321">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2019, ten trains, eight from JR East with a book value of ¥11.8 billion and two from JR West, were damaged when a train yard in Nagano was flooded as the Chikuma River overflowed during typhoon Hagibis.<ref name=JT131019>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Kyodo071119/> As a result, JR West suffered a loss of Template:JPYConvert.<ref name=Kyodo071119>Template:Cite news</ref>
Non-revenue-earning typesEdit
Former rolling stockEdit
- E2 series 8-car "N" sets on Tokyo - Nagano Asama services only
- E2 series 8-car "J" sets
- E4 series 8-car "P50/P80" sets as Max Asama
- 200 series 12-car set F80 during February 1998 only
The original E2 series 8-car "J" sets, primarily used on Tohoku Shinkansen services were also used on some Asama services until they were subsequently lengthened to 10 cars. One specially-modified 200 series set, numbered F80, was used on additional Asama services in February 1998 during the 1998 Winter Olympics held in Nagano. The train was modified to operate on both 25 kV AC 50 Hz and 60 Hz overhead power supplies, incorporated weight-saving measures to comply with the 16 tonne axle load restriction, and included additional control equipment to cope with the 30‰ gradient of the Nagano Shinkansen.<ref name="railfan444">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Its maximum speed was limited to Template:Convert.<ref name="railfan444"/> The last services operated using eight-car E2 series trainsets ran on 31 March 2017, from which date all Asama services were formed of E7 and W7 series trainsets.<ref name="railfan20170401">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- N11 Asama 514 Tokyo 20020601.jpg
Nagano Shinkansen E2 series "N" set (Set N11) approaching Tokyo, June 2002
- E2 J6 Asama Karuizawa 19980218.jpg
Nagano Shinkansen E2 series "J" set (Set J6) approaching Template:STN, February 1998
- Shinkansen E4series (4467135007).jpg
An E4 series set (Set P14)
- 200 F80 Asama Ueda 19980218.jpg
Modified set F80 on a Nagano Shinkansen Asama service, February 1998
HistoryEdit
Nagano ShinkansenEdit
The initial section between Takasaki and Nagano opened on 1 October 1997, in time for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
Between May 2012 and March 2014, station platforms on the Nagano Shinkansen had their platform roofs extended to handle the E7 series 12-car trains which entered service in March 2014 ahead of the March 2015 opening of the extension beyond Nagano.<ref name="asahi20120503">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Hokuriku Shinkansen extension from Nagano to Template:STN opened in March 2015.<ref name="asahi20120503"/> The 113-km extension from Kanazawa to Tsuruga was approved for construction in June 2012.<ref>Kyodo News, "Bullet-train extensions approved", The Japan Times, 30 June 2012, p. 2</ref>
From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2014, E7 series trainsets were introduced on Asama services.<ref name="dj361"/> Initially used on seven return services daily, this number was increased to eleven return services daily from 19 April 2014.<ref name="dj361"/>
NamingEdit
The line's legal name has always been Hokuriku Shinkansen. However, just before the opening of the Nagano section, JR East decided that using this name in passenger service was to be avoided. From March 22, 1997 until the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa, the primary route for Hokuriku customers (from the Tokyo area) was to use the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then transfer to Hakutaka via the Hokuetsu Express, rendering using the Takasaki–Nagano section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen meaningless for them. Therefore, JR East sought other names.<ref>「北陸新幹線・東京－長野 10月開業を発表 列車愛称『あさま』」『信濃毎日新聞』 [Hokuriku Shinkansen Tokyo-Nagano will open October]. Shinano Daily News, Apr 16 1997 (in Japanese).</ref>
On the other hand, local governments in Hokuriku, fearing construction west of Nagano may be halted, petitioned that the name "Hokuriku" should remain in use for operational purposes. <ref>「呼称は長野か北陸か新幹線揺れる―JR東日本『まだ長野まで』北陸自治体『名前は残して』」『日本経済新聞』1997年5月5日</ref>
JR East announced the following solution on July 25, 1997:<ref>「北陸新幹線ダイヤを発表 長野まで最速79分 しなの鉄道2割増」『信濃毎日新聞』1997年7月26日</ref>
- Voice announcements using "Nagano Shinkansen"
- Tokyo area stations using depictions with "Nagano-bound Shinkansen".
- Stations between Annaka-Haruna Station and Nagano Station depicting "Shinkansen" only.
Soon, "Nagano-bound Shinkansen" fell out of use, and timetables by various publishers use "Nagano Shinkansen" only.<ref>JTB時刻表 時刻表80年のあゆみ-第3回- - JTB Publishing るるぶ.com</ref> Construction to Kanazawa was officially decided, thereby reducing the opposition to the name.
Extension beyond NaganoEdit
Construction of the extension from Nagano to Kanazawa was completed on 24 May 2014.<ref name="asahi20140525">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When services commenced in March 2015, the travel time from Tokyo to Toyama was reduced to about 2 hours, with Kanazawa an additional 30 minutes away.<ref name="asahi20140525"/> Final permission to start construction to Fukui was granted in December 2011, with modification works to Fukui Station already in progress for several years in anticipation of the extension.<ref>[1] Template:Webarchive</ref> The extension to Tsuruga was approved for construction on 30 June 2012,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and opened on 16 March 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Beyond Jōetsumyōkō Station, the line is operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) instead of East Japan Railway Company (JR East).<ref>Kyodo News, "DPJ may OK three new bullet-train sections", The Japan Times, 17 December 2011, p. 1.</ref>
Naming issue rises againEdit
Many people speculated about and discussed what the line's operational name should be after Nagano–Kanazawa section is completed.
Nagano economic associations argued a sudden change in name will confuse customers, propose "Nagano–Hokuriku Shinkansen" to be used.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:Dead link</ref> In contrast government officials and economic associations in Hokuriku region defended the legal name, including statements such as "a just result should come after 3 prefectures striving for 40 years".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Section west of Jōetsumyōkō belongs to JR West, which did not state an opinion and used "Hokuriku Shinkansen" only.<ref name="westjr20120904">Template:Cite press release</ref>
On October 2, 2013, JR East announced formal line name will be Hokuriku Shinkansen (consistent with National Shinkansen Railway Development Act) and depicted as Hokuriku Shinkansen (via Nagano) to reflect its expansion into the region, resolving the naming issue.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Test-runningEdit
Test-running on the JR East section of the line between Nagano and Kurobe-Unazukionsen commenced on 1 December 2013, initially at low speeds using the "East i" test train.<ref name="webun20131005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From 6 December, test-running commenced using 10-car E2 series trainsets, with running speeds gradually increased to the full line speed of Template:Convert.<ref name="webun20131005"/> Test-running continued until the end of March 2014.<ref name="webun20131005"/> Test-running on the entire line between Nagano and Kanazawa (Hakusan Depot) started on 1 August 2014, using the "East i" test train.<ref name="hobidas20140804">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Test-running using W7 series trains commenced on 5 August 2014, initially at low speed, on the JR West section between Template:STN and Template:STN.<ref name="hobidas20140805">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Tsuruga extensionEdit
In the months preceding the opening, JR West conducted various low speed runs on the new Kanazawa-Tsuruga section using "East i" test trains on 23 September 2023.<ref name="asahi20240315">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Runs using regular W7 series trainsets started on 26 September.<ref name="asahi20240315" /> Regular passenger service began on 16 March 2024, with ceremonies at both Template:STN and Template:STN from the respective presidents of JR West and JR East.<ref name="nhk20240316">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The extension cost Template:JPYConvert to build.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In accordance with the opening of the extension, the limited express service Thunderbird ended its service between Tsuruga and Kanazawa on 15 March 2024.<ref name="nhk20240315">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Future plansEdit
The route of the final section from Template:STN to Template:STN was finalized on 20 December 2016 as the Obama–Kyoto route.<ref name="railwaygazette.com"/> JRTT proposed three possible stations in Kyoto at an August 8, 2024 meeting.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two options include a new station underground near Kyoto Station. The third option is a newly constructed station near Katsuragawa Station, also underground. The route extension is estimated to cost up to 5.3 trillion yen and require up to 28 years to complete construction.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Including the Obama-Kyoto route, the following four options were under consideration before the December 2016 announcement,<ref name="asahi20150829">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with a fifth unofficial option suggested by a local politician.<ref name="japantimes.co.jp">Template:Cite news</ref>
- Template:Nihongo: This involved building a full standard shinkansen track to Maibara Station. The proposal was one third of the length of the Obama Route, and provided good access to both Kyoto and Nagoya. However, a severe drawback was that it would have resulted in longer travel time to Osaka than the other options and trains would have had to use the existing, already heavily congested Tokaido Shinkansen tracks between Maibara and Shin-Osaka.
- Template:Nihongo: This involved no new track construction; instead, this proposal would have upgraded the Kosei Line to Template:STN, either by regauging or dual-gauging the line to support Mini-Shinkansen, or alternatively utilizing Gauge Change Train (GCT) operations. This was the cheapest option, but meant train speeds would likely be limited to a maximum of Template:Convert and hence travel times would have been longer than the other options.
- Template:Nihongo: First proposed in 1973,<ref name="asahi20150829"/> this route involved building a full standard shinkansen track via Template:STN and Template:STN. It was the shortest route to Osaka, but also the most expensive (approximately 1 trillion yen), and would have bypassed Template:STN.
- Template:Nihongo: This, the now selected route, was first made public in August 2015, and involves following the proposed Obama Route west as far as Obama and then building shinkansen track southward to link with the Tokaido Shinkansen at Template:STN. Including Kyoto on the route is seen as important to increase tourism.<ref name="asahi20150829"/>
- Template:Nihongo: Kyoto politician, Shoji Nishida's proposal from Tsuruga, via Obama, to Maizuru then south-east to Kyoto City, southern Osaka City, and Kansai International Airport.<ref name="japantimes.co.jp"/> This option did not have a price estimated, but would have likely been the most expensive due to the scale of the proposal. Its case was to provide development to the Maizuru region as per the Japanese national government's policy, with the Maizuru Maritime Self-Defence Force Base and several nuclear power stations put forward as reasonable traffic generators. The option to extend the line south of Kyoto to a new Osaka station (Template:STN, located in the south east of Osaka City) was seen as a means to avoid the congestion of the Tokaido line. It may have served as an alternative route or terminus to Shin-Osaka station for Tokaido line trains, reducing Tokaido line congestion.
A government committee deliberating the proposals decided in April 2016 to narrow the proposed route to three alignments between Template:STN and Template:STN and two alignments between Kyoto and Template:STN (a northern route through Minoh and a southern route through the Kansai Science City). On 6 March 2017 the government committee announced the chosen route from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka is to be via Kyotanabe, with a station at Matsuiyamate on the Katamachi Line.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There are also requests from Kyoto City and Kyoto Prefecture, local governments along the route, to further extend the line to Template:STN.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Interim plansEdit
In an attempt to extend the benefits of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to stations west of Tsuruga before the section to Shin-Osaka is completed, JR West was working in partnership with Talgo on the development of a Gauge Change Train (GCT), which was proposed to be capable of operating under both the 25 kV AC electrification used on the Shinkansen and the 1.5 kV DC system employed on conventional lines. The six-car train was due to start trials on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and the 1067 mm-gauge Hokuriku and Kosei lines in 2017. As part of the project JR West had begun trials with a purpose-built 180 m-long gauge-changer at Tsuruga.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, as a result of the abandonment of the proposed use of a GCT on the West Kyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki by JR Kyushu, in August 2018 JR West announced that the proposed GCT between Tsuruga and Osaka had been abandoned.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Conventional lines running parallel to the Hokuriku ShinkansenEdit
With the opening of the initial Nagano Shinkansen section in October 1997, the section of the conventional (narrow gauge) Shinetsu Main Line running along approximately the same route between Template:STN and Template:STN was transferred from the control of JR East to a newly established third-sector railway operating company, Shinano Railway, becoming the Shinano Railway Line.
With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension north of Nagano on 14 March 2015, the conventional lines running along approximately the same route were transferred from the control of their respective JR owning companies to newly established third-sector railway operating companies funded primarily by the prefectural and municipal governments through which the lines pass. A total of Template:Convert of route between Nagano and Kanazawa was transferred to four separate operating companies, including Template:Convert of the Shinetsu Main Line between Nagano and Template:STN, and Template:Convert of the Hokuriku Main Line between Naoetsu and Kanazawa.<ref name="dj371">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Details of the five third-sector operating companies and their respective lines are as shown below.<ref name="dj371"/>
In 2019, it was decided that the section of the Hokuriku Main Line between Tsuruga and Fukui would be transferred to third-sector railway operating companies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Three years later in 2022, it was determined that the section would be split among two operators. The IR Ishikawa Railway would extend their operations from Kanazawa to Daishoji,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while a new company, Hapi-Line Fukui,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> established during the preparation phase, would take over the section between Daishoji and Tsuruga. Hapi-Line Fukui is expected to overtake the Template:Convert section of the Hokuriku Main Line effective the 16 March 2024 timetable revision.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
| Former line name | Former operating company | Date transferred | Section | Length (km) | New line name | Operating company | Prefecture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinetsu Main Line | JR East | 1 October 1997 | Template:STN–Template:STN | 65.1 | Shinano Railway Line | Shinano Railway | Nagano |
| 14 March 2015 | Template:STN–Template:STN | 37.3 | Shinano Railway Kita-Shinano Line | ||||
| Template:STN–Template:STN | 37.7 | Myōkō Haneuma Line | Echigo Tokimeki Railway | Niigata | |||
| Hokuriku Main Line | JR West | Template:STN–Template:STN | 59.3 | Nihonkai Hisui Line | |||
| Template:STN–Template:STN | 100.1 | Ainokaze Toyama Railway Line | Ainokaze Toyama Railway | Toyama | |||
| Template:STN–Template:STN | 17.8 | IR Ishikawa Railway Line | IR Ishikawa Railway | Ishikawa | |||
| 16 March 2024<ref name=":0" /> | Template:STN–Template:STN | 46.4 | |||||
| Template:STN–Template:STN | 84.3 | Hapi-Line Fukui Line | Hapi-Line Fukui | Fukui |
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- JR East website Template:In lang
- JR West website Template:In lang
- Ishikawa Prefecture: Hokuriku Shinkansen construction page Template:In lang
- Fukui Prefecture: Hokuriku Shinkansen Construction Promotion Division Template:In lang
Template:Shinkansen Template:Japan Railways Group Template:East Japan Railway Company Lines Template:West Japan Railway Company LinesTemplate:Osaka transitTemplate:High-speed railway lines