Japan National Route 8

National Route 8
国道8号
国道8号 (Kokudō hachi-gō)
Route information
Length	574.1 km (356.7 mi)
Location
Country	Japan
Highway system
National highways of Japan Expressways of Japan

National Route 8 is an important highway in the Hokuriku and Kansai regions. It connects the prefectural capitals of Niigata, Toyama, Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture), Fukui, Ōtsu (Shiga Prefecture), and Kyoto.

Route Data

• 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

In popular culture

Route 8 is the inspiration for the popular Hachiban Ramen chain of noodle shops popular in the Hokuriku region.

History

• 4 December 1952 – First Class National Highway 8 (from Niigata to Kyoto)
• 1 April 1965 – General National Highway 8 (from Niigata to Kyoto)

Intersecting routes

• in Niigata Prefecture
  • Routes 7, 17, 18, 49, 113, 116, 148, 252, 253, 292, 350, 351, 352, 353, 403 and 460
• in Toyama Prefecture
  • Routes 41, 156, 160, 415, 470, 471 and 472
• in Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Routes 157, 159, 305, 360, 364 and 416
• in Fukui Prefecture
  • Routes 27, 158, 161, 305, 365, 416, 417 and 476
• in Shiga Prefecture
  • Routes 1, 21, 161, 303, 305, 306, 365, 421, 422 and 477
• in Kyoto Prefecture
  • Routes 9, 24 and 367