The Impact of High Speed Rail on Tourism Development: A Case Study of Japan

In order to clarify the impact of Shinkansen network extension on tourism development in Japan, this study investigates the change of tourism demand and tourist behavior in Tohoku and Kyushu Region by using statistical data collected by MLIT and JTA. The results suggest that tourism arrivals increased significantly in cities that were connected by the extended Shinkansen network. In addition, modal share of railway showed obvious increase as well. This paper also reviews the policies that have been adopted to promote tourism development by utilizing Shinkansen through a case study of Hirosaki and Ibusuki city. In order to clarify the impact of HSR and policy effort on tourism demand, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis is conducted in this study. The model estimation result suggests that the shorter distant from HSR station will result in an increase of tourism demand to a certain destination. In addition, it indicates that the simultaneously operation of Shinkansen and scenic trains will significantly increase the tourism demand. However, such influence will decay over time. Specifically speaking, although it has great influence on tourism demand in the first year, such influence becomes insignificant in the second year.