On July 15, 2026, the national government of Japan confirmed the preferred route for extending the Hokuriku Shinkansen line from its current terminus at Tsuruga to Shin-Osaka. The project continues a vision dating back to the 1970s aiming to connect western Honshu via high-speed rail. The Hokuriku Shinkansen reached Tsuruga in March 2024, having extended from Tokyo to Kanazawa since 2015. Three route options were reviewed, with the Wakasa Route designated as the preferred choice since December 2015.
Wakasa Route Details and Environmental Considerations
The Wakasa Route extends approximately 139 kilometers southwest from Tsuruga, passing through Obama and Maizuru before tunneling under the Tanba Highlands, near
the western shore of Lake Biwa. The route passes roughly five kilometers west of Kyoto station. Despite being the shortest option, it is the most expensive route assessed. Kyoto authorities raised environmental concerns about direct tunneling beneath Kyoto, citing risks to groundwater and heritage sites. MLITT and JRTT provided detailed route and station information in August 2024.
Katsuragawa Underground Hub Adoption
To address Kyoto’s environmental issues, the government confirmed plans for an underground station hub near Katsuragawa, located about five kilometers west of Kyoto’s city center. This station will connect with local rail and metro lines, with commuting to Kyoto station expected to take
close to 10 minutes. This approach reduces the need for an intrusive tunnel beneath the heavily congested Kyoto station and minimizes environmental impacts on local groundwater and cultural heritage areas.
Cost and Funding Structure
The extension’s estimated cost is ¥5.5 trillion (approximately US$34 billion). Funding will primarily come from access payments made by JR Group operators using the line, intended to cover at least 75% of construction costs. Presently, the national government and local authorities share costs in a 2:1 ratio, but this distribution may be adjusted to lessen the financial burden on local governments. Additionally, revenue from the International Tourism Tax charged on
foreign visitors entering and exiting Japan is planned to support financing the project.
Construction Timeline and Journey Impact
Design and environmental assessments are expected to commence imminently under the oversight of MLITT and JRTT, with construction targeted to start in fiscal year 2027. Civil engineering works are projected to span at least 26 years, pushing the earliest opening of the extended section to 2054 or later. Upon completion, the journey time from Kanazawa to Shin-Osaka is estimated at about 1 hour and 21 minutes. No immediate travel disruptions are anticipated during the early stages, as the project remains in planning and initial construction phases.
Official Statements on Project Status and Planning
The
Japanese government reiterated the preference for the Wakasa Route and the adoption of the Katsuragawa hub to reduce environmental impact. MLITT and JRTT have reaffirmed their roles in finalizing route designs and environmental compliance, with the intent to begin preliminary works soon. Funding arrangements involving JR Group access payments and contributions from tourism taxes are established to balance project costs while mitigating local government financial pressures.
