For those who are not fluent in Japanese, JR West introduced a new _Special Rapid_ service in middle March 2024 that goes non-stop between Tsuruga and Maibara on what amounts to the last named part of the JR West Hokuriku Main Line. Designed to match the arrival of the Hokuriku Shinkansen train at Tsuruga for a quick trip to Maibara, passengers then transfer to _Special Rapid_ or _Rapid_ service trains running on the Tokaidō Main Line from Maibara to Kyoto (and beyond).