This video from the 丹波篠山路快速 channel takes a detailed look at the effects of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Tsuruga (敦賀) one year after it was opened. The host offers thoughtful commentary from the perspective of travelers in the Kansai region, who may now feel psychologically further away from Tsuruga due to the route changes and implications for connectivity. However, the video emphasizes that the situation is more nuanced and presents a range of benefits that have come with the extension.

Through commentary based on firsthand experiences, the video explores how the extended line has impacted travel times, connectivity to other areas, and economic ripple effects. Despite concerns that Tsuruga feels more disconnected from the Kansai region, the host argues that it’s important to observe the broader advantages, including improved access to the Hokuriku region and the increased convenience for passengers traveling to areas like Toyama and Kanazawa.

The video also invites viewers to check out a related video on the ‘first train’ of the extension—a recommended watch for train enthusiasts and travel planners. The host’s perspective highlights the evolving role of Japanese high-speed rail in linking regional hubs, and how infrastructure updates like this can have wide-reaching effects beyond simple travel times.

Tsuruga Station, now a new terminal point on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, is located in Fukui Prefecture and is known historically as a gateway to the Sea of Japan coast. With the Shinkansen extension, the town is better poised to welcome tourists and connect more seamlessly with greater destinations throughout Japan.