Japan National Route 8
National Route 8 (国道8号, Kokudō hachi-gō) is a major highway in the Hokuriku and Kansai regions of central Japan. The 574.1-kilometer (356.7 mi) highway begins at an intersection with National Routes 7, 17, 49, 113, and 116 in Chūō-ku, Niigata. It travels southwest across central Honshu, connecting the prefecture capitals: Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui, and Ōtsu. In Kyoto it travels concurrently with National Route 1 toward its endpoint at an intersection with National Routes 9, 24, and 367 in Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto.[2][3]
National Route 8 | ||||
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国道8号 | ||||
Route information | ||||
Length | 574.1 km[1] (356.7 mi) | |||
Existed | 1952–present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
North end | National Route 7 / National Route 17 / National Route 49 / National Route 113 / National Route 116 in Niigata | |||
South end | National Route 1 / National Route 9 / National Route 24 / National Route 367 in Kyoto | |||
Highway system | ||||
National highways of Japan Expressways of Japan
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Route description
- Length: 574.1 km (356.7 mi)
- Origin: Chūō-ku, Niigata (originates at junction with Routes 7, 17, 49, 113 and 116)
- Terminus: Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto (ends at Junction with Routes 9, 24 and 367)
- Major cities: Sanjō, Nagaoka, Kashiwazaki, Joetsu, Itoigawa, Toyama, Takaoka, Kanazawa, Hakusan, Komatsu, Fukui, Tsuruga, Maibara, Hikone, Ōtsu
History
The origins of the road that is now National Route 8 can be traced back to the Hokurikudō, a road that was established after the Taika Reform to link Kyoto to the capitals of the region by that went by the same name.[4]
The modern history of the highway saw its establishment by the Cabinet of Japan on 4 December 1952 as First Class National Highway 8 from Niigata to Kyoto. On 1 April 1965 it was re-designated as General National Highway 8. On 7–9 February 2018, heavy snowfall shut down the highway for over 60 hours in Fukui Prefecture before it could be removed.[5]
Intersecting routes
In popular culture
National Route 8 is the namesake of Hachi-ban Ramen, a chain of ramen shops in the Hokuriku region.[6]
Gallery
See also
- Japan portal
- Roads portal
References
- "一般国道の路線別、都道府県別道路現況" [Road statistics by General National Highway route and prefecture] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- 一般国道8号 (in Japanese). Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- 一般国道8号 (in Japanese). Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- "北陸道/ほくりくどう" (in Japanese). Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- "大雪で立ち往生、ようやく解消 福井の国道8号" [Stuck with heavy snow, National Highway 8 is finally reopened in Fukui] (in Japanese). 9 February 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- "Hachi-ban Ramen History". Retrieved 30 January 2020.