Analysis of Transportation Choices Affected by the 2024 Hokuriku Shinkansen Tsuruga Extension

The Hokuriku Shinkansen is among the five main Shinkansen lines in Japan. It starts from the capital, Tokyo, and passes through the Hokuriku region (Nagano City, Toyama City, and Kanazawa City) before reaching the Kansai region (Kyoto City and Osaka City). In Japan, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is being developed to increase the number of visitors in the area by shortening travel times and ensuring transportation networks in the event of a disaster; the Kanazawa–Tsuruga extension was opened on Saturday, 16 March 2024. The shortened travel times with this opening are expected to increase the number of visitors to the Hokuriku region and other regions, such as the Tokyo metropolitan area. The Tsuruga extension opening will connect the Hokuriku region with the Tokyo metropolitan area through direct service; however, travel between the Kansai and Chukyo regions will require transfers at Tsuruga Station, which would reduce convenience. Consequently, the flow of people in the Hokuriku region is expected to change significantly after spring 2024. Therefore, this study conducted a questionnaire survey of Kanazawa residents in Ishikawa Prefecture prior to the opening of the Tsuruga extension to analyze its effect on the choice of modes of transportation for travel to the Kansai region. The Hokuriku Shinkansen was found to be the most popular route for travel to the Kansai region after the opening of the Tsuruga extension, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen users prioritized comfort during travel and shorter travel times. Moreover, a high proportion of Hokuriku Shinkansen users were unemployed and received pensions, whereas a high proportion of private automobile users were students, housewives, or other people with no income.