The Short One
Among the tunnels of the former Hokuriku Line, the Funagaya Tunnel is one of the shortest, running straight for only about 64 metres. It lies in the Aso district of Tsuruga, roughly 1.1 kilometres north of the Habara Tunnel. Its brevity is part of its appeal: where the long bores are about darkness and echo, this one can be taken in almost at a glance, which makes its construction easier to study.
How It Was Built
The cross-section is the single-track horseshoe shape used throughout the line. The lining follows the standard division of materials, with cut-stone side walls carrying a brick arch, here laid in stretcher bond so that the long faces of the bricks show along the curve. The detail worth seeking out is the north portal, whose crown was shaped to slope in step with the hillside above it rather than being cut level. It is a small adjustment, but it shows the builders fitting a standard design to the exact lie of the land, and it gives the portal a quietly distinctive line.
Value and Visiting
Funagaya was registered in 2016 with the other structures of the line, recognised for its contribution to the historic landscape. Its value lies in how clearly a short, well-built bore lets you read the standard details of Meiji railway tunnelling, from the horseshoe section to the sloped portal crown.
Owned by Tsuruga City, it sits on the single-lane road along the old alignment. Because it is short and straight, daylight reaches through, but the usual cautions apply: mind oncoming traffic, use headlights, and check that the route is open, as repairs periodically close sections.
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Questions and Answers
- How short is the Funagaya Tunnel?
- About 64 metres, making it one of the shortest tunnels on the former Hokuriku Line. It runs in a straight line, so daylight passes through it.
- What should I look for at the portal?
- The north portal has a crown that slopes to match the hillside above, rather than being cut level. It is a small but deliberate touch that sets it apart.
- What is stretcher bond?
- It is a brickwork pattern in which the long faces of the bricks are shown. The tunnel's brick arch is laid this way over its cut-stone side walls.
- Where is it and who owns it?
- It is in the Aso district of Tsuruga, about 1.1 kilometres north of the Habara Tunnel, and is owned by Tsuruga City. It was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2016.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Hokuriku Line Funagaya Tunnel |
|---|---|
| Location | Aso, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure), registered 25 February 2016 |
| Registration No. | 18-0145 |
| Built | around 1895 (Meiji era) |
| Structure | Stone and brick; length 64 m, width 4.1 m |
| Owner | Tsuruga City |
| Access | On the former Hokuriku Line alignment (single-lane public road); use headlights; confirm road status before visiting |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database — Funagaya Tunnel
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010953
- Tsuruga City Tourism Association — Former Hokuriku Line Tunnels
- https://tsuruga-kanko.jp/spot/history_culture/hokuriku-line-tunnel/
- Fukui Prefecture Official Travel Guide (Fuku-e.com)
- https://www.fuku-e.com/spot/detail_1640.html
Last verified: 2026.07.09