How to Get from Kyoto to Fukui in 2025｜Train, Bus & Car Travel Guide

Fukui Prefecture faces the Nihon Sea and is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan, adjacent to Kyoto Prefecture . It is currently attracting attention as the Hokuriku Shinkansen will be extended to Tsuruga City , Fukui Prefecture in spring 2024.

There are also many scenic spots such as Tojinbo, Eiheiji Temple, and the Mikata Five Lakes, tourist attractions such as the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins and the Dinosaur Museum, as well as many delicious local delicacies such as Echizen crab, sauce katsudon, and oroshi soba.

• Table of Contents
• I want to go sightseeing from Kyoto to Fukui, but how do I get there?
• How to get from Kyoto to Fukui?
• Why it's best to go to Fukui by train
• Use a transit app
• Benefits of using Japan Rail Pass
• How to get to Fukui by highway bus
• Going to Fukui by car | Recommended for rental cars and family trips
• How to purchase JR tickets (for tourists visiting Japan)
• Must-see tourist spots when you come to Fukui!
• Great access to tourist spots! Recommended hotels and accommodations in Fukui
• Choose the access method that suits you best and enjoy your trip to Fukui

I want to go sightseeing from Kyoto to Fukui, but how do I get there?

In spring 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen will be extended to Tsuruga, making travel between Kansai and Hokuriku even more convenient.

Not only does it compare transportation options, but it also covers useful apps, discount rail passes, and tourist information, so be sure to use it to help plan your trip to Fukui.

How to get from Kyoto to Fukui?

There are three ways to get from Kyoto to Fukui.

Train (express + Shinkansen or conventional line)

◆Time required: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes

◆Price: 4,500 yen to 6,000 yen

◆Characteristics: Fares and travel times vary depending on the number of transfers and route.

Express bus

◆Time required: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours

◆Price: 2,700 yen to 4,400 yen

◆Features: Recommended for those who want to travel cheaply. However, reservations are required during peak periods.

Car (private car, rental car)

◆Required time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes using expressway / Approximately 4 hours using general road

◆Fee: Expressway fee approx. 4,500 yen + gasoline fee

Features: Flexible route is attractive. Convenient for family trips and large luggage.

Why it's best to go to Fukui by train

The most recommended way to travel to Fukui is by train, which is comfortable and has simple transfers. In particular, with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension in 2024, access has become even more convenient.

◆Comfortable and speedy

◆ There are English signs inside the station and inside the company, so you can feel safe

◆Japan Rail Pass available

◆No worries even with large luggage

Thunderbird Express + Hokuriku Shinkansen (fastest route)

[Route] Kyoto Station → (Thunderbird Express) → Tsuruga Station → (Hokuriku Shinkansen) → Fukui Station [Travel time] Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes [Fee] Approximately 5,100 yen [Recommended point] Japan Rail Pass can be used on all JR routes

Thunderbird Express + Hapi-line-Fukui(cheap)

[Route] Kyoto Station → Tsuruga Station (Thunderbird) → Fukui Station (Hapi-line-Fukui)
[Time required] About 2 hours [Price] From about 4,500 yen
[Note] The Hapi Line is not a JR line and is therefore not eligible for the JR Pass.

JR Special Rapid Service + Hokuriku Shinkansen (savings route)

[Route] Kyoto Station → Tsuruga Station (Special Rapid Service) → Fukui Station (Shinkansen)
[Time required] Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes [Fee] From approximately 4,200 yen
[Features] It takes a little time, but it's cheap. Seishun 18 Ticket can also be used (only during the applicable period)

Use a transit app

◆ Google Maps
[Features] Available in English. Ideal for transfer information and timetables.

◆ NAVITIME Japan Travel
[Features] Includes tourist information for foreign visitors

◆ JR West Online Booking
[Features] Convenient for making reservations for express trains and Shinkansen

Benefits of using Japan Rail Pass

You can get to Fukui at a great price by using the Japan Rail Pass, which allows unlimited travel on JR lines throughout Japan. This pass is compatible with all JR lines, including the Thunderbird Express and the Hokuriku Shinkansen, making it ideal for traveling over a wide area. In particular, by using these express trains, you can arrive from Kyoto to Fukui in about 2 hours.

The Japan Rail Pass can be reserved online in advance, without the need to go through the purchasing process at the station. This allows you to smoothly proceed with preparations from the travel planning stage, and make the most of your time at your destination.

Detailed information about the Japan Rail Pass can be found on the official Japan Rail Pass website. The official website covers all the necessary information, such as pass types, terms of use, and reservation methods, so you can prepare for your trip with peace of mind.

Japan Rail Pass Official Website

How to get to Fukui by highway bus

Expressway buses are recommended for those who want to travel at a low cost.

Main Routes

[Route] Kyoto Station (Karasuma Exit) or (Fukakusa) → Fukui Station East Exit [Time Required] Approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes [Fee] From approximately 2,800 yen (varies depending on the bus company)

Reservation site (Reservations are recommended as the venue may be fully booked on the day)

Keifuku Bus ( Kyoto/ Osaka )

Japan Bus Online

WILLER BUS

Going to Fukui by car | Recommended for rental cars and family trips

Expressway Route

[Route] Kyoto Minami IC → Hokuriku Expressway → Fukui IC
[Time required] Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes [Cost] Expressway fee: Approximately 4,500 yen + gasoline fee

General road route

[Route] Kosai Road → Tsuruga → Fukui
[Time required] About 3 hours [Cost] Expressway fee about 1,500 yen + gasoline

🚗Perfect for those with lots of luggage and those who want to enjoy sightseeing freely.

Map from Kyoto to Fukui

How to purchase JR tickets (for tourists visiting Japan)

Purchase at the JR Ticket Office

This is a way to purchase tickets face-to-face with a station attendant. It is very convenient if you have any travel-related questions or concerns. Many stations also have English-speaking staff, so foreign visitors travelers can use it with ease. It is the best way to get direct advice on detailed itineraries and train selection.

Purchasing from a ticket machine

The touch-screen ticket vending machines are multilingual and easy to operate. They are ideal for people who want to choose tickets at their own pace or purchase tickets without worrying about time. You can easily purchase tickets by simply following the instructions on the screen, such as selecting your destination and specifying a time.

Online booking

This method involves making reservations online in advance using JR West's official reservation site "e5489" or "Smart EX." It is extremely convenient as you can easily make reservations at home or while on the move. By reserving in advance, you can be sure to secure a seat, especially during peak seasons or when using popular trains. Discounts and special offers may also be available when reserving online. If you want to avoid crowds at the station, we recommend reserving online.

Japan Raik Pass (JR Pass) Complete Guide

Must-see tourist spots when you come to Fukui!

1. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

The Dinosaur Museum is one of Fukui 's most popular tourist spots, visited by more than 1.2 million people a year. It is said to be one of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world, and more than 50 complete fossil skeletons are on display in the vast column-free space. It will be reopened in the summer of 2023, and is a very popular tourist spot for families with children and dinosaur lovers.

access

Public transportation: Take the Echizen Railway " Katsuyama Eiheiji " from JR Fukui Station to the last stop " Katsuyama Station" for about 55 minutes, Katsuyama transfer to a direct bus to the Dinosaur Museum for 12 minutes.

Car: About 50 minutes from JR Fukui Station

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

911-8601 51-11 Terao, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture is known nationwide as a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the world's leading dinosaur museums. The vast, immersive space is filled with exhibits of dinosaur skeletons, fossils, specimens, dioramas, reconstructed models, and more, allowing you to see impressive dinosaurs up close. The area surrounding the museum is also full of experiences such as fossil excavations and play equipment, making it an area that the whole family can enjoy. The Dinosaur Tower, which reopened in July 2023 and appeared in the new small egg hall, is a must-see. In the atrium of the new building, there is a 13m-tall monument called the Dinosaur Tower, which features five species of dinosaurs and one species of bird discovered in Fukui. In addition, the facility has been upgraded to be a facility that can be enjoyed in all seasons, including the impressive ``3-sided Dino Theater'' and the ``Fossil Research Experience'' .

2. Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu)

The Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu) at Daishizan Seidaiji temple is the tallest indoor seated statue in Japan, surpassing the Great Buddha of Nara, at 17m tall. Inside the Great Buddha Hall, where the Buddha is located, there is a stone Buddha wall with 1281 stone Buddha statues lined up, and in recent years it has become a popular spot for foreign visitors tourists. Depending on the season, you can see a magnificent performance called "Special Viewing of the Sea of ​​Clouds" only in the early morning and evening.

access

Public transportation: Take the Echizen Railway " Katsuyama Eiheiji " from JR Fukui Station to the last stop " Katsuyama Station" (approx. 55 minutes), then take a taxi or bus from Echizen Railway Katsuyama Station (approx. 10 minutes).

Car: About 50 minutes from JR Fukui Station

Daishizan Seidaiji temple Echizen Great Buddha

911-0811 50-1-1 Katase , Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

The model for the Great Buddha is a seated statue in the Longmen Grottoes on the outskirts of Luoyang, Henan, China, the origin of Buddhism. It is 17 meters tall. It is larger than the Nara Great Buddha (16.2 meters in documents, 14.98 meters in actual measurement). In addition, the halo is 23 meters, and the 3-meter lotus pedestal is placed on a 2-meter stone base, making the total height 28 meters. While the Nara Great Buddha is stocky, the Echizen Great Buddha is characterized by its slender and gentle face and neck. It is made of copper, with a total weight of 200 tons. In addition, 1,281 stone and gold Buddhas are enshrined on the three walls on the left, right, and back of the Great Buddha, and two arhat statues (10.3 meters) and two bodhisattva statues (11.2 meters) are enshrined on each side of the Great Buddha as attendant Buddhas.

3. Heisenji Hakusan Shrine

Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is a shrine with 1300 years of history. It flourished as a base for Hakusan faith, and is said to have been home to as many as 8000 warrior monks at its peak 600 years ago. Today, the shrine is famous for its beautiful green carpet of moss. We recommend visiting when there are few people, as you can leisurely enjoy a typically Japanese shrine.

Heisenji Hakusan Shrine

56 Heisenji, Heisenjicho, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture 911-0822

"Heisenji" is a base temple for worshiping Hakusan, located at the entrance to the Echizen side of the sacred Mt. Hakusan (altitude 2,702m). In the Middle Ages, it became one of the most influential in the Hokuriku region, and it is said that there were dozens of temples and shrines and thousands of temples in the precincts, which were much larger than the current Hakusan Shrine. However, in the 2nd year of Tensho (1574), the whole mountain was destroyed by fire during the battle against the Ikko Ikki, and most of the things that tell of the past have been lost. However, a full-scale excavation survey that began in 1989 revealed that the remains of the former precincts remain splendidly. The full picture of Heisenji in its glory in the Middle Ages is now being revealed little by little.

4. Tojinbo

Tojinbo is a large columnar joint that stretches for about 1 km along the coastline in Sakai City , Fukui Prefecture Prefecture. Its sheer size has made it one of the "Three Great Scenic Spots in the World," and it is a valuable geological site. For this reason, Tojinbo has been designated a national natural monument, and is one of Japan's most scenic spots, having been selected as one of the "Top 100 Geological Sites in Japan" and "Top 100 Sunsets in Japan."

access

Public transport: 10 minutes by Keifuku bus bound for Tojinbo from Echizen Railway Mikuni Station

By car: 30 minutes by car from Kanazu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway

Tojinbo

913-0064 64-1 Yasujima, Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

Tojinbo is a nationally designated scenic spot known for its view of the rough waves of the Sea of ​​Japan crashing against the cliffs. The magnificent cliffs spread out for about 1km. It is said that there are only three places in the world where the extensive columnar joints of dacite (volcanic stone) that form this kind of scenery are extremely valuable geologically. The dazzling blue sky and the Sea of ​​Japan in early summer, the evening view of the sun setting over the Sea of ​​Japan in autumn, and the rough waves and cold wind blowing against the rock surface when snow falls. All of them are wonderful seasonal scenery that shows Tojinbo and the great nature of the Sea of ​​Japan. Along with Ojima, which floats at the tip of Tojinbo, it has been designated as a natural monument of Japan. There are also many traditional souvenir shops and restaurants in the surrounding area.

5. Mikatagoko Rainbow Line Summit Park

The Mikata Five Lakes are the collective name for the five lakes that straddle Mihama Town and Wakasa Town in Fukui Prefecture : Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, Lake Kan, Lake Kugushi, and Hyuga. The five lakes have different water qualities and depths, and all appear to be different shades of blue, hence the name "Five Colored Lakes." The differences are easy to see from the 11.2km long Mikata Five Lakes Rainbow Line Prefectural Road, where you can enjoy the dynamic scenery of the five lakes and the Nihon Sea.

access

By car: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Maizuru Mihama IC on the Wakasa Wakasa Expressway

Mikata Five Lakes/Rainbow Line

〒919-1301 18-2-2 Kiyama, Wakasa-cho, Mikatakaminaka-gun, Fukui Prefec...

The five lakes, Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, Lake Suga, Lake Kugushi, and Lake Hyuga, which are interspersed among the valleys of the low mountains, are known for their mystical colors. You can enjoy the scenery by driving the 11.2km Rainbow Line that leads to the summit. If you go to the summit using a lift or cable car, you will find the Rainbow Line Summit Park. In the park, there are five terraces such as a footbath and a sofa terrace based on the concept of "a terrace in the sky floating on Mikata Five Lakes". The view of the Mikatagoko Lakes and the Sea of Japan, which can be seen while enjoying drinks and sweets, is highly acclaimed.

Great access to tourist spots! Recommended hotels and accommodations in Fukui

Hotel Harvest Ski Jam Katsuyama

911-0000 Fukui Prefecture , Katsuyama City, 170-70 Ski Jam Katsuyama

This hotel is attractive for its magnificent view of the Hakusan mountain range. Located at the front of the Ski Jam Katsuyama, you can enjoy the pure white snow world in winter, and mountain biking, Segway riding, barbecues, and other outdoor activities throughout the seasons from spring to autumn. The large Sasayuri hot spring bath is famous for its beauty-enhancing waters, and the sunset view from the open-air bath is a must-see. It is also conveniently located about 10 minutes by car from the Dinosaur Museum.

Katsuyama New Hotel

911-0811 2-114 Katase-cho , Katsuyama City , Fukui Prefecture

A 10-minute walk from the hotel is the Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu) and five-story pagoda, said to be the most magnificent in Japan, and nearby is Hakusan Temple, a nationally designated historic site that was founded by the great monk Taicho 1,300 years ago and is now highly regarded as the remains of a "medieval religious city." It is also close to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which inspires the romanticism of a wide range of people, from adults to children. In the nearby mountains is Ski Jam Katsuyama, one of the largest ski resorts in western Japan, and in the winter season the area changes completely, creating the bustle unique to a snowy country.

Choose the access method that suits you best and enjoy your trip to Fukui

●If comfort is your priority, choose the express train + Shinkansen (JR Pass compatible)

● If price is important, take the express bus

If you want to travel freely, rent a car

With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, now in 2025, Fukui has become a convenient travel destination, located just two hours from Kyoto.

Be sure to plan a trip to Fukui, which is packed with a variety of attractions, from history and nature to gourmet food and dinosaur experiences!