Japan Railways has inaugurated the long-awaited Hokkaido Shinkansen extension, reducing travel time between Tokyo and Sapporo from 8 hours to just 4 hours and 30 minutes.

A New Era of Travel

The $30 billion project connects Japan's largest and northernmost major cities by high-speed rail for the first time. Trains reach speeds of 320 km/h through the world's longest undersea tunnel.

Tourism officials predict a 40% increase in foreign visitors to Hokkaido as the region becomes easily accessible from Tokyo.

Travel Tips

The Japan Rail Pass covers the new route, making it an exceptional value for international tourists exploring Japan.