In March 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended from Kanazawa to Tsuruga. As a result, the parallel conventional line between Kanazawa and Tsuruga was separated from JR and transferred to two new third-sector railway companies: IR Ishikawa Railway and Hapi-line Fukui.
I combined riding the new Shinkansen extension with completing the full lines of both third-sector companies, all during a trip from Tokyo to Osaka.
Route Design
Take the Shinkansen directly from Tokyo to Tsuruga, then ride third-sector local trains back from Tsuruga to Kanazawa. This covers the full lines of Hapi-line Fukui (Tsuruga–Daishōji) and IR Ishikawa Railway (Daishōji–Kanazawa). From Kanazawa, take the Shinkansen back to Tsuruga, then Thunderbird to Osaka.
The Shinkansen extension (Kanazawa–Tsuruga) is covered on the outbound Kagayaki.
Itinerary
Tsuruga → Kanazawa: Third-Sector Local Trains
About 2.5 hours from Tsuruga to Kanazawa by local train, with a transfer at Fukui. Riding the train, there wasn’t much noticeable difference from the JR era, though the cars were a bit more crowded — likely due to reduced frequency.
Hapi-line Fukui operates the Tsuruga–Daishōji section; IR Ishikawa Railway operates Daishōji–Kanazawa. Some trains run through, but a transfer at Fukui may be required.
Kanazawa → Tsuruga: Shinkansen Return
Arrived in Kanazawa at 12:40; Kagayaki 509 departed at 12:51. An 11-minute connection to board the Shinkansen back to Tsuruga. At Tsuruga, the transfer flow to the Thunderbird was well-designed and easy to navigate.
Tsuruga → Shin-Osaka: Thunderbird
Thunderbird 24 departing Tsuruga at 14:14 to Shin-Osaka. With the Shinkansen extension, Thunderbird services now originate at Tsuruga rather than running from further along the line.