2024 Complete Access Guide to Fukui from Kyoto!

• Table of Contents
• Visiting Fukui from Kyoto 
• How to Access Fukui from Kyoto
• Fast and Convenient! "Express Thunderbird"
• Using Local Lines（JR Line）
• Hokuriku Bullet Train Extension in Spring 2024!
• Express Bus
• Rental Car
• Must Visit Fukui Locations 
• Enjoy Your Trip to Fukui

Visiting Fukui from Kyoto 

Fukui Prefecture is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan, facing the Sea of ​​Japan, and is adjacent to Kyoto Prefecture. The Hokuriku Shinkansen will be extended to Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture in the spring of 2024, which is currently attracting attention.

In addition to scenic spots such as ``Tojinbo'', ``Eiheiji'', and ``Mikata Goko'', tourist attractions such as ``Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins'' and ``Dinosaur Museum'', ``Echizen Crab'', ``Sauce Katsudon'', and ``Grated There are many local gourmet foods such as "Soba".

How to Access Fukui from Kyoto

There are currently three means of transportation to go from Kyoto to Fukui: train, express bus, and car. Among them, there are two types of ``trains'': ``Limited Express Thunderbird'' and ``local trains,'' and ``cars'' can be used either by using expressways or by using local roads. The one-way travel time and fares for each of the three means of transportation, train, express bus, and car, are as follows.

◆Express Thunderbird

・Time (one way): Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes ・Fare (one way): 5030 yen (reserved seat)

◆Ordinary train

・Time (one way): Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes ・Fare (one way): 2,640 yen (with transfer)

◆Highway bus

・Time (one way): Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes ・Fare (one way): 2,800 to 4,400 yen

◆Car (when using the expressway)

・Time (one way): Approximately 2 hours. ・Fee (one way): 4550 yen + gasoline fee

◆Car (if not using the expressway)

・Time (one way): Approximately 4 hours. ・Fee (one way): 4550 yen + gasoline fee

*Although there is an airport in Fukui Prefecture, there are no scheduled flights, so it is not suitable as a means of transportation.

Fast and Convenient! "Express Thunderbird"

◆Limited express train

From Kyoto to Fukui (one way)

Time required: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

Price: 4,500 yen (ticket + limited express non-reserved seat)

For reserved seats +530 yen.

Thunderbird is an easy-to-use option, as the travel time is short and there are no transfers. If you are going round trip, it is advantageous to purchase a round trip ticket.

Tickets can be purchased directly at the "Midori no Madoguchi" or "Midori Ticket Vending Machine" at JR stations, or by making a reservation through JR West's online reservation service "e5489 (Iigoyoyaku)". .

Using Local Lines（JR Line）

Time required: Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes (one way)

Fare: 2,640 yen (one way)

*If you go by local train, you will need to change trains.

JR Tokaido Sanyo Main Line New Rapid Service bound for Tsuruga ⇒ JR Hokuriku Main Line bound for Fukui

*The number of transfers varies depending on the timetable.

Local trains require transfers and travel time, but the fares are cheaper.

Additionally, the Seishun 18 Kippu, which allows unlimited rides on local trains on JR lines nationwide, is on sale for a limited time. We also recommend using this to move around.

However, if you are a tourist visiting Japan and have a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), you will be able to use it as much as you want on JR lines, limited express trains, and Shinkansen trains, so it is recommended that you save on transportation costs. Please note that you can only ride the Shinkansen " Hikari " and " Kodama " with your JR Pass, and you cannot ride the "Nozomi".

Japan Raik Pass (JR Pass) Complete Guide

Hokuriku Bullet Train Extension in Spring 2024!

When the Hokuriku Shinkansen Fukui-Tsuruga section opens in the spring of 2024, conventional lines and limited express trains from Kyoto will run to Tsuruga. From Tsuruga to Fukui, you will need to transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen or use the parallel conventional line "Happi Line Fukui" which takes over the JR Hokuriku Main Line.

According to an estimate issued by Fukui Prefecture, if you transfer on the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Osaka to Fukui, the fare for Thunderbird will be +600 yen, so if you apply that to Kyoto, the fare will be 4,500 + 600 = 5,100 yen. Masu.

Although the fare will be a little higher, it is expected that it will be cheaper than the current price due to the discount provided by transferring, and the travel time will be further shortened, so I am happy that it will be closer to Kyoto and Fukui.

Express Bus

If you go by express bus, the time and fare will vary depending on the bus company.

Kyoto Station⇒Fukui Station

Time: 3 hours 13 minutes

Amount: 2800 yen (one way)

The advantage of express buses is that they are cheap. Please note that there are no direct flights and you will have to transfer flights.

We recommend that you reserve tickets in advance, as seats may not be available on the day of the event. Reservations can be made by phone at the ticket center of each bus company.

West Japan JR Bus Co., Ltd.

Alternatively, you can also purchase on Deshasha Alright Net.

Departure Alright Net

Rental Car

There are two ways to get there by car: use the expressway or go north on the lower road on the west side of Lake Biwa.

Map from Kyoto to Fukui

◆Expressway

Meishin Expressway Kyoto Minami IC ⇒ Hokuriku Expressway Fukui IC

Time: 2 hours 34 minutes

Amount: 4550 yen

Distance: 180.3km

*Prices vary depending on the destination. Please check the transportation information site for details.

Recommended for those who want to get to their destination quickly by using the expressway.

◆ How to go north on the west side of Lake Biwa on the general road

Biwako West Jukan Road (Kosai Road) ⇒ Tsuruga Bypass ⇒ From Tsuruga IC to Hokuriku Expressway Fukui IC

Time: about 3 hours

Amount: 1530 yen

*It will take about 4 hours if you go all the way down. Please check the transportation information site for details.

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 are not pressed for time or who have a lot of luggage, we recommend traveling by car, although it will take some time and cost.

Also, if you are traveling with a large group of people, such as a family, it may be cheaper to travel by car.

Must Visit Fukui Locations 

1. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

The Dinosaur Museum is one of Fukui's most popular tourist spots, visited by over 900,000 people a year. It is said to be one of the world's three largest dinosaur museums, and 44 full-body skeleton fossils are displayed in the vast space. It is scheduled to be renovated and reopened around the summer of 2023, making it a must-see tourist spot.

Access

Public transportation: 12 minutes from Echizen Railway Katsuyama Station to the bus bound for Dinosaur Museum.

Car: 15 minutes by car from Chubu Jukan Expressway Katsuyama IC

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. Tojinbo

Tojinbo is a large-scale columnar joint that stretches approximately 1km along the coastline in Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture. Because of its sheer size, it is considered one of the ``three greatest wonders of the world'' and is a geologically valuable place. For this reason, Tojinbo has been designated as a national natural monument, and is one of Japan's leading scenic spots, having been selected as one of Japan's ``100 Best Geological Sites'' and ``Japan's 100 Best Sunsets.''

Access

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

Car: 30 minutes by car from Hokuriku Expressway Kanazu IC

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.

3. Mikata Goko Rainbow Line Summit Park

Mikata Five Lakes is a general term for five lakes that straddle Mihama Town and Wakasa Town in Fukui Prefecture: Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, Lake Kan, Lake Kugushi, and Lake Hyuga. The five lakes have different water quality and depth, and all appear to have different shades of blue, which is why they are called "five-colored lakes." You can clearly see the difference from the Mikata Goko Rainbow Line, a prefectural road with a total length of 11.2 km, and enjoy the dynamic scenery of the Goko Lakes and the Sea of ​​Japan.

Access

Car: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway Wakasa-Mihama IC

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.

Enjoy Your Trip to Fukui

This time, we introduced how to get from Kyoto to Fukui. We have introduced various means of transportation such as ``train,'' ``high-speed bus,'' and ``car,'' but if you want comfort, you should choose the ``Limited Express Thunderbird,'' and if you want to save money, you should choose the ``high-speed bus.'' Please find the transportation method that suits your itinerary, budget, and travel style and enjoy your trip to Fukui Prefecture.