JR West Japan announced that it has submitted a notification of discontinuation of the Hokuriku Line between Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture) and Tsuruga (Fukui Prefecture) to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The Thunderbird and Shirasagi limited express trains, which have been popular for many years, are expected to be operated to Tsuruga Station following the discontinuation of the Hokuriku Line next spring.
Thunderbirds are not being discontinued
JR West plans to discontinue the Hokuriku Line between Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture) and Tsuruga (Fukui Prefecture) when the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line is scheduled to open in spring 2024.
The Thunderbird will stop between Osaka and Kanazawa, and the Shirasagi will stop between Nagoya and Kanazawa, and the Thunderbird will stop between Nagoya and Tsuruga. The Shinkansen trains will continue to operate up to Tsuruga Station, so it does not mean that passengers will no longer be able to ride on the trains.
In addition, with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen next spring, the parallel conventional lines of the Hokuriku Line will be operated by the third-sector 「Happiline Fukui」 in Fukui Prefecture and by the 「IR Ishikawa Railway」 in Ishikawa Prefecture.
In response to reports of the discontinuation of the Hokuriku Line, some tweeted
Memories of Thunderbirds and Shirasagi
So far, various photos have been submitted by people who got on and off at Kanazawa and other stations.
Kanazawa Station Information
| Spot name | JR West Japan Railway and IR Ishikawa Railway Kanazawa Station |
| Location | 1-1, Kinoshinbo-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture |
| Reference site | JR Odekake Net 「Kanazawa Station, Map of the premises」 |
