Editor’s note: This CNN Travel Series is sponsored or has been sponsored by the destinations featured. CNN retains full editorial control over the subject matter, coverage, and frequency of articles and videos within the Sponsorship, subject to the following: our policy.
CNN
—
Nestled between the towering Japanese Alps and the winding coastline of the Sea of Japan is one of this country’s best-kept secrets: Hokuriku.
This region of Japan’s Honshu, consisting of the four prefectures of Toyama, Niigata, Ishikawa, and Fukui, was a major hub during the Edo period (1603-1867). But over the next century, it was overshadowed by its neighbors, Tokyo to the east and Osaka to the southwest.
Thanks to a new Shinkansen extension connecting the region to Tokyo in March 2024, it will be easier than ever to experience Hokuriku’s many attractions.
Kyodo News/Getty Images
The Hokuriku Shinkansen will be extended and opened in March 2024.
To Nagano and beyond
The history of the Hokuriku Shinkansen dates back to 1997. At that time, it was called the Nagano Shinkansen. It was built to connect the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tokyo for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
In 2015, the line was expanded and renamed the Hokuriku Shinkansen to reflect its regional expansion, with the line later passing through the famous Niigata and Toyama prefectures. 20m deep snow corridor (66 feet) – Ending at Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture.
The 2024 extension will extend to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, adding 125 kilometers (78 miles) of track and providing a wealth of new travel opportunities for international visitors.journey from The travel time from Tokyo to Tsuruga Station will be 3 hours and 8 minutes, 51 minutes shorter than the current train journey time.
A representative from JR West says, “The opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen has increased interaction between cities and expanded the flow of business and tourists over a wide area.” Area in recent years.
Fukuioad
The extension of the Shinkansen will extend the line to Tsuruga City, a port in Fukui Prefecture.
Nowhere is this more obvious than Ishikawa Prefecturehad a dramatic impact on the tourism industry when the Shinkansen was extended to Kanazawa City.
The numbers speak for themselves. The number of tourists in 2019 increased by 3.3 million compared to the year before the Shinkansen Kanazawa Station opened in 2015.
“Although the number of tourists has not recovered to pre-coronavirus levels, ripple effects have appeared and continue to occur in a variety of ways, including a significant increase in the number of tourists since the opening of Kanazawa Port, far exceeding expectations.” Yumiko Omoteguchi, who works at the Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism Division, tells CNN Travel.
The new extension is expected to bring unexplored areas of the Hokuriku region into the international spotlight.
The main highlight is the area’s hot spring resort villages.
Hoshino Resort
Founded in the 4th century, KAI Kaga is located in Ishikawa Prefecture.
There are four locations near Komatsu Station and Kaga Onsen Station in Ishikawa Prefecture (Awazu, Yamanaka, Yamashiro, and Katayamazu), and one location in Awara Onsen in Fukui Prefecture.
“There are many hot spring resorts that meet the needs of travelers, from reasonable to luxury inns, and with the Shinkansen line scheduled to be extended in March 2024, many tourists are expected to visit. ” Omotekushi.
She added that the five spa resorts are expected to have around 3 million guests in 2024, an increase of around 400,000 compared to pre-pandemic 2019 numbers.
Established 400 years ago, KAI Kaga is one of the hot spring inns in Ishikawa Prefecture that is looking forward to welcoming new travelers.
Once known as Shirokane-ya, this traditional ryokan was built in Yamashiro in 1624 and hosted guests such as the Edo period lord of the Kaga domain and famous artist Rosanjin Kitaoji in the early 1900s.
Local Hoshino Resorts Group took over the space and renovated it in 2012.
Featuring red wood walls and an outdoor Zen garden, the inn proudly displays regional craftsmanship throughout and works with the local community to promote tourism in the area.
Each room is decorated with artisanal papercraft, dyed fabrics, and Kutani ware (a style of lavishly painted porcelain) tea sets.
Contemporary performances inspired by traditional mythical lion dances (shishi) are held nightly.
“For KAI Kaga, (the new Shinkansen) is an opportunity to share information.” We would like to convey the charms of Kaga not only to Japan but also to overseas customers,” general manager Aya Morishita told CNN Travel.
Techno-Buddhist Temple and King Crab Dinos
Fukui Prefecture’s Shinkansen stations, Awara Onsen Station, Fukui Station, Echizen Takefu Station, and Tsuruga Station, are all likely to become popular destinations for travelers with the opening of the Shinkansen. There’s a good reason for that.
Just like Mr. Ishikawa, Fukui prefecture It has well-preserved ancient architecture, historical sites and temples. On the other hand, new tourist spots have already been created around Fukui City, and existing tourist spots are also expanding.
Masaki Yasui, manager of the Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Division, says, “The Fukui extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen is expected to significantly change the flow of people and goods.”
Fukuioad
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is the largest dinosaur museum in Japan.
“This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to promote the best of Fukui Prefecture. It marks a major turning point, the beginning of a new era for Fukui. Expo 2025 Osaka will be held one year after the Shinkansen extension. , a further increase in the number of foreign tourists is expected.
A 100-meter-tall (328-foot) commercial complex including a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, a three-story food hall serving local Fukui cuisine, offices, and residential buildings will be built next to Fukui Station. It is said that it will open by December 2019. March 2024.
of Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museumis home to one of Asia’s largest dinosaur collections and has recently undergone a major expansion. There are currently 50 complete dinosaur skeletons on display here, including a rare Brachylophosaurus mummy with some well-preserved skin.
Yasui says Shoonji’s techno memorial service is a “must-see” for travelers as it’s something they can’t experience anywhere else in Japan.
“The interior of the temple is impressive in itself, but it is only here that you can experience a new and unique style of ritual using techno music and projection mapping, making it an unforgettable experience,” said the tourism director. say.
Established in 2016 to attract young tourists, Twice a year techno memorial service Yasui said the memorial service (usually held in May and October) has become so popular that the temple plans to open an “art space” where people can experience it year-round. That’s what it means.
GI15702993/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Echizen crab is one of the must-try gourmet foods in Fukui Prefecture.
In terms of local cuisine, Fukui is a prime destination for sushi lovers as it is both a major rice producer and a sea port.
The Echizen crab, a male snow crab that can grow up to 80 centimeters (31 inches) in length, is one of the region’s most prized delicacies.
“Explore outside Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto”
“Until now, foreign tourists visiting Fukui Prefecture have mainly been from East Asian countries due to its proximity to Kansai International Airport (Osaka) and Chubu Centrair International Airport (Nagoya), and the large number of flights from East Asia. Tomohiro Nagata, director of the Fukui Prefecture International Tourism Office, says:
The new Shinkansen connection will make it easier for tourists arriving at Haneda or Narita airports near Tokyo to travel directly to Fukui Prefecture.
“This is expected to increase the number of tourists primarily from Europe, North America and Australia who use Narita Airport,” Nagata said, adding that it would encourage travelers to travel outside of tourist-heavy metropolitan areas such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Sightseeing is recommended.
View this interactive content on CNN.com
For those looking for cherry blossoms, the Asuwa River that flows through Fukui City is home to a 2-kilometre stretch of cherry blossom trees that bloom every spring.
The city is also a great base for visiting Maruoka Castle Ruins Park, one of Japan’s 12 remaining castle towers, and Eiheiji Temple, one of Japan’s two main temples of the Soto sect of Buddhism.
on the other hand, Nishiyama Parkbetween Fukui Station and Echizen-Takefu Station, you can enjoy a sea of rhododendron bushes and visit the red panda zoo.
Tourism officials also recommend the 11-kilometre-long Rainbow Line, which offers views of the rugged cliffs of Tojinbo and the scenic Mikata Five Lakes and their associated lakes in the Wakasa Bay Quasi-designated area.・A national park near Tsuruga Station.
“Why is it called “Rainbow”? Please come to Fukui to find the answer,” Nagata teases.