How to Access Fukui from Osaka! Complete Access Guide
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There are several ways to travel from Osaka to Fukui by train, bus, and car. Additionally, the first Hokuriku Shinkansen in Fukui Prefecture will open in spring 2024. We will summarize how to get there, the time required, and the benefits of each means of transportation.
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Katsuyama City is located in the northeastern part of Fukui Prefecture. The city is located on a river terrace formed along the course of the Kuzuryu River, and is a rural city rich in water and greenery, with commerce and industry based on the local textile industry since the Meiji period, and agriculture and forestry having been thriving since ancient times. Our company is a DMO (tourism region development organization) that works with local communities to develop tourist areas. Katsuyama City is a treasure trove of attractive tourist content, including the Dinosaur Museum and Heisenji Temple! We provide detailed services to customers visiting Katsuyama , such as guided tours that allow many people to experience Katsuyama , the Geo Terminal in the parking lot of the Dinosaur Museum, and the operation of the "Dinosaur Valley Katsuyama" Roadside Station , which opened in June 2020. We are also actively challenging ourselves to create new businesses centered around tourism, aiming to revitalize the town of Katsuyama.
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Table of Contents
- Let's Visit Fukui from Osaka!
- How to Access Fukui
- Fast and Convenient! Limited Express Train “Thunderbird”
- Using Local Trains: JR lines
- Hokuriku Bullet Train Extension in Spring 2024
- Using Express Buses
- Recommended for Drive Lovers! Using Rental Cars
- Fukui's Must Visit Locations
- Enjoy your trip to Fukui!
Let's Visit Fukui from Osaka!
Fukui Prefecture is a prefecture located in the Hokuriku region of Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. The Hokuriku Shinkansen is currently attracting attention as it will open from Kanazawa to Fukui/Tsuruga in the spring of 2024. There are also many attractive sightseeing spots from Japan and the world, as well as a wealth of local gourmet food.
The main ways to get from Osaka to Fukui are by train, bus, or car, but many people don't know how much time it actually takes or how much it costs. Also, once Shinkansen service begins, you will need a way to transfer from limited express trains.
In this article, we will introduce recommended access methods between Osaka and Fukui and how to transfer once the Shinkansen line opens. Find the transportation method that suits you and enjoy the charms of Fukui!
How to Access Fukui
There are three ways to travel from Osaka to Fukui:
From Osaka Station to Fukui Station (one-way)
◆Train [Time required] Approximately 1 hour 54 minutes ~ [Fare] 5,610 yen~
◆Highway bus [Time required] Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes ~ [Fare] 3,700 yen
◆Private car [Time required] Approximately 2 hours 55 minutes ~ [Fee] 6,330 yen + gasoline fee
Fukui Prefecture has Fukui Airport, but there are no scheduled flights, so it is not suitable as a means of transportation.
Fast and Convenient! Limited Express Train “Thunderbird”
The quickest way to get from Osaka to Fukui is to use the limited express train Thunderbird.
Osaka - Fukui (one-way)
Time required: Approximately 1 hour 54 minutes
Fare: 3,410 yen (passenger ticket) + 2,200 yen (limited express ticket) = 5,610 yen
◆When using reserved seats
Fare: 3,410 yen (ticket) + 2,930 yen (limited express reserved seat) = 6,340 yen
*Please note that additional charges will apply if you use green seats.
Although Thunderbird is more expensive than other means of transportation, it is easy to use as it has the shortest travel time and no transfers.
Also, if you are going round trip, it is better to buy a round trip ticket.
Tickets can be purchased directly at the "Midori no Madoguchi" or "Midori no Ticket Vending Machine" at JR stations, or if you would like to make a reservation at home, please use JR West's online reservation service "e5489 (Iigoyoyaku)". It can be purchased at.
However, if you are a tourist visiting Japan and have a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), we recommend that you use it as you can ride JR lines and Shinkansen as much as you like, which will save you money on transportation. Please note that you can only ride the Shinkansen " Hikari " and " Kodama " with your JR Pass, and you cannot ride the "Nozomi".
Using Local Trains: JR lines
If you don't mind the time and want to save money, you can also take a conventional line.
Osaka - Fukui (one-way)
Time required: Approximately 3 hours 18 minutes
Price: 3,410 yen
From Osaka to Tsuruga, use the rapid train and then transfer to the local train from Tsuruga.
Osaka ⇒ (Yamashina) ⇒ (Omi Shiotsu) ⇒ Tsuruga ⇒ Fukui
In the past, you would have to change trains twice, but now that rapid trains are in operation, you can now get there with just one change at Tsuruga. If the train is not delayed, it will arrive earlier than the express bus.
Additionally, the Seishun 18 Kippu, which allows unlimited rides on local trains on JR lines nationwide, is on sale for a limited time. If you are traveling using the Seishun 18 Kippu, please use this method of transportation.
Tickets can be purchased at the ``Midori no Madoguchi'' or ``Midori Ticket Vending Machine'' at JR stations, just like for limited express trains.
Hokuriku Bullet Train Extension in Spring 2024
In the spring of 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen will be extended to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, so conventional lines and limited express trains from Osaka will run to Tsuruga Station. From Tsuruga to Fukui, you will need to transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen or use the parallel conventional line "Happi Line Fukui" that takes over the JR Hokuriku Main Line.
According to estimates issued by Fukui Prefecture, if you transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, it will take approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes (including 10 minutes of transfer time), and the fare will increase by 600 yen to 6,210 yen.
Although the fare will rise slightly, it is expected that it will be cheaper than the current price due to discounts for round-trip use, etc. It also shortens travel time, so I'm happy to be closer to Osaka and Fukui.
Using Express Buses
If you have plenty of time and want to save money, we recommend the express bus operated by JR West Bus.
Osaka - Fukui (one-way)
Time required: Approximately 4 hours 33 minutes
Price: Weekdays/1900 yen to 2700 yen, Holidays/2500 yen to 3300 yen
*Fares vary depending on the boarding date and purchase date.
Although the fares are not much different compared to conventional lines, I don't think there will be a big impact on the arrival time on express buses because there is less worry about train delays.
If you purchase tickets on the day, you can purchase them at any West Japan JR Bus counter. You can also purchase at the multimedia terminals installed at Lawson and Ministop convenience stores.
If you would like to make a reservation from home, you can purchase it in advance from the West Japan JR Bus reservation site or telephone reservation center. We recommend that you make a reservation in advance, as there may not be any seats available on the day of your visit.
Recommended for Drive Lovers! Using Rental Cars
If you are traveling by car, we recommend using the expressway, which is smoother than the lower road.
◆Osaka - Fukui (one-way)
Time required: Approximately 2 hours 55 minutes
Fare: 6,330 yen (Hanshin Route 11 Ikeda Line 890 yen + Meishin Expressway - Hokuriku Expressway 5,440 yen)
*Prices vary depending on ETC and holiday discounts.
*Separate gas fee will be charged.
Distance: Approximately 231.5km
◆Root
1.6km (approx. 5 minutes) from Osaka Station to Fukushima IC (Hanshin Route 11 Ikeda Line) ⇒ Fukushima IC ⇒ Meishin Expressway
⇒ Hokuriku Expressway ⇒ Fukui IC ⇒ 5.2km from Fukui IC to Fukui Station (about 13 minutes)
With trains and buses, you always have to be aware of specific times, but with a car, you can go at your own pace and it's easier to carry around if you have a lot of baggage. For those who don't want to be pressed for time or have a lot of luggage, we recommend traveling by car, although it may be more time consuming and expensive.
Also, if you are traveling with a large group of people, such as a family, it may be cheaper to travel by car.
Fukui's Must Visit Locations
1. Tojinbo
Tojinbo, located in Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, has been designated as a natural monument of Japan.
It is a very valuable place that can only be seen in three places in the world, with a magnificent rock wall stretching for about 1 km and columnar joints of pyroxene andesite. It is a representative tourist spot in Hokuriku.
2. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture and is one of the world's three largest dinosaur museums.
In addition to displaying 44 full-body skeletons, there are also reproductions of actual fossils, making it a must-see.
You can also experience fossil excavation in the park on the premises. This is a spot that both children and adults can enjoy.
3. Mikata Goko Rainbow Line Summit Park
Mikata Goko is a general term for the five lakes that straddle Mihama Town and Wakasa Town. At Rainbow Line Summit Park, you can enjoy a 360° view of all the Mikata Five Lakes and Wakasa Bay. The lake has different depths and water quality, and each lake has a different color, so it is also called the "five-colored lake." It is a mysterious scenic spot.
4. Eiheiji
Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple is located in Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida District and is said to be a strict Zen dojo with a history of about 800 years. Many monks are still training hard. You can enter the temple for a fee, and you can also try Zen meditation and sutra copying. Please visit Eiheiji Temple, which has a Japanese atmosphere.
5. Kehi Shrine
Kehi Shrine in Tsuruga City was built in 702 AD. One of the three major torii gates in Japan, the large torii gate with a total height of 11 meters, designated as an important cultural property, welcomes you. It is also famous as a power spot, and there are many places within the shrine grounds that are full of energy.
Enjoy your trip to Fukui!
We introduced how to get from Osaka to Fukui.
I hope this article is helpful and helps you find the transportation method that suits you. Please be careful when traveling to Fukui.
Katsuyama City is located in the northeastern part of Fukui Prefecture. The city is located on a river terrace formed along the course of the Kuzuryu River, and is a rural city rich in water and greenery, with commerce and industry based on the local textile industry since the Meiji period, and agriculture and forestry having been thriving since ancient times. Our company is a DMO (tourism region development organization) that works with local communities to develop tourist areas. Katsuyama City is a treasure trove of attractive tourist content, including the Dinosaur Museum and Heisenji Temple! We provide detailed services to customers visiting Katsuyama , such as guided tours that allow many people to experience Katsuyama , the Geo Terminal in the parking lot of the Dinosaur Museum, and the operation of the "Dinosaur Valley Katsuyama" Roadside Station , which opened in June 2020. We are also actively challenging ourselves to create new businesses centered around tourism, aiming to revitalize the town of Katsuyama.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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