Where the String of Tunnels Begins
Driving north from Tsuruga along the abandoned railway, the First Kannonji Tunnel is one of the first bores a visitor meets. It is short by the standards of this line, about 82 metres, and curves gently as it passes through the ridge. What sets it apart is not its length but the quality of its masonry, which repays a close look before the longer tunnels ahead pull the eye onward.
The tunnel dates from 1894, two years before the Tsuruga to Fukui section opened to traffic. It stands in the Yokohama district, about 400 metres north of the Wanayamadani Culvert, on the climb toward the Kinome Pass.
Reading the Stonework
The portal is built almost symmetrically in cut stone, framed by pilasters, and finished throughout in andesite dressed by the technique known as Edo-kiri, a fine hand-chiselled surface. Inside, the builders mixed materials to suit the load: the arch of the lining is brick, while the side walls, including the arched refuge recesses set into them for track workers, are stone. This division of stone and brick recurs along the whole line, but the First Kannonji portal shows it in an unusually crisp and deliberate form.
Stand at the mouth and the care becomes plain. The joints are tight, the courses even, and the chiselled faces catch low light in a way that machine-cut stone does not.
Value and How to See It
The tunnel was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2016, together with the other structures of the former Hokuriku Line, under the criterion that it contributes to the historic landscape of the nation. Its worth lies less in engineering records than in workmanship: it is a well-preserved example of how a Meiji railway portal was designed and dressed.
The old alignment is now a single-lane public road shared by cars, cyclists and walkers. Traffic signals control the longer tunnels, and headlights are essential inside. Because sections are periodically closed for repair, it is wise to check current conditions with the Tsuruga tourism association before setting out.
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Questions and Answers
- Why is it called the First Kannonji Tunnel?
- It is the first of a pair. The Second Kannonji Tunnel lies about 80 metres to the north. The names distinguish two separate bores on the same stretch of line.
- What makes the portal notable?
- It is a near-symmetrical cut-stone portal with pilasters, built entirely of andesite finished by the fine Edo-kiri chiselling technique. The stone side walls and brick arch inside are also worth seeing.
- When was it built and designated?
- The tunnel was completed in 1894 and registered as a Tangible Cultural Property on 25 February 2016, along with the rest of the former Hokuriku Line structures.
- Can I drive through it?
- Yes. The former railway is now a public road. The tunnels are single-lane, so obey the traffic signals, use headlights, and do not stop inside. Confirm the route is open before you go, as repairs sometimes close it.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Hokuriku Line First Kannonji Tunnel |
|---|---|
| Location | Yokohama, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure), registered 25 February 2016 |
| Registration No. | 18-0148 |
| Built | 1894 (Meiji 27) |
| Structure | Stone and brick; length 82 m, width 3.9 m |
| Owner | Fukui Prefecture |
| Access | On the former Hokuriku Line alignment (single-lane public road); obey tunnel signals; confirm road status before visiting |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database — First Kannonji Tunnel
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010956
- 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