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 shield
National Route 8
国道8号
Map
Route information
Length574.1 km[1] (356.7 mi)
Existed1952–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
Location
CountryJapan
Highway system
National Route 7 National Route 9

Route description

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Oyashirazu, Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture
Left:Hokuriku Expressway
Center:National Route 8 and JR Hokuriku Main Line
Right: Niigata Prefecture Route 525

History

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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

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National Route 8 is the namesake of Hachi-ban Ramen [ja], a chain of ramen shops in the Hokuriku region.[6]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ 一般国道8号 (in Japanese). Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  3. ^ 一般国道8号 (in Japanese). Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  4. ^ "北陸道/ほくりくどう" (in Japanese). Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Hachi-ban Ramen History". Retrieved 30 January 2020.
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