Many sightseeing spots such as Tojinbo! How about a cheap trip to Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture? Thoroughly compare times and prices

• Table of Contents
• Where is Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture? Introduction of charm
• Enjoy sightseeing in three areas (Mikuni, Maruoka, Takeda)
• How to get from Tokyo to Sakai City by Shinkansen
• How to get from Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya to Sakai City by express train
• How to get to Sakai City from Nagoya by express bus
• How to get to Sakai City from Osaka. Direct express bus will start operating from December 23, 2023! !
• The Hokuriku Highway Bus Fukui Line departing from Nagoya will be powered up! !
• How to get from Komatsu Airport to Sakai City by plane
• Find the transportation method that suits your travel style!
• A “tour ticket” that allows you to easily enjoy the Sakai City area in Fukui Prefecture at a great value.

Where is Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture? Introduction of charm

Sakai City is located in the northern part of Fukui Prefecture, with a spectacular coastline represented by the scenic spot "Tojinbo", the retro townscape of Mikuni Minato, which flourished as a port of call for Kitamaebune ships, and one of Japan's oldest castle towers, one of the 12 in existence. There are many sightseeing spots such as Maruoka Castle, which has an architectural style of Sakai Plain, Fukui Prefecture's premier grain producing region, is the hometown of Koshihikari, which was born in Fukui. You can enjoy Fukui's representative branded ingredients and local foods, including sweet shrimp and Echizen crabs that are fried at Mikuni Port, as well as Wakasa beef, Echizen soba, Takeda fried tofu, and Hana rakkyo.

Check out Sakai City tourist information!

Enjoy sightseeing in three areas (Mikuni, Maruoka, Takeda)

[Mikuni area]

This port town was once the base of the Kitamaebune ship, and is now known for its Echizen crab landings. An area where people of all ages can enjoy Tojinbo, the old town of Mikuni, Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, and Shibamasa World.

Main sightseeing spots: Tojinbo, Mikuni Minato, Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, Shibamasa World

[Maruoka area]

You can experience history, culture, food, and nature around Maruoka Castle, the only remaining castle tower in Hokuriku. There are many attractions to see, including the Museum of the Shortest Letter in Japan, Shonenji Temple, which is associated with Mitsuhide Akechi, and Kubota Sake Brewery, a sake brewery that was the model for a manga.

Main sightseeing spots: Maruoka Castle, the shortest letter in Japan, Shonenji Temple, Kubota Sake Brewery, Eight Ribbon

[Takeda area]

This area is located in the mountains in the eastern part of Sakai City and has an area of ​​about 5,000 ha, mostly made up of mountain forests. A peaceful mountain village filled with the murmuring of the Takeda River, flowers, and greenery, where you can enjoy the natural scenery of each season. The weeping cherry blossoms in April are especially famous. There are also heritage sites with historical value such as the Senko House (Tsubokawa Family Residence), and Chikuchikubonbon, an experiential accommodation facility that takes advantage of nature, has opened and is attracting attention.

Main sightseeing spots: Chikuru House Chikuchikubonbon Sakai City Takeda Rural Exchange Center Takeda Waterwheel Melody Park Takekurabe Plaza

How to get from Tokyo to Sakai City by Shinkansen

From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen, from Maibara Station take the Limited Express Shirasagi (required time: approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes) or the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and from Kanazawa Station take the Limited Express (required time: 4 hours and 40 minutes) to Fukui Station.

When the Hokuriku Shinkansen is extended from Kanazawa Station to Tsuruga Station on March 16, 2024, the time required to travel from Tokyo Station to Fukui Station will be reduced to 2 hours and 51 minutes.

Access from Fukui Station is as follows.

[Mikuni Area] About 55 minutes by Echizen Railway to Mikuni Port Station

[Maruoka Area] Keifuku Bus Maruoka Line bound for Maruoka approximately 1 hour

[Takeda Area] Keifuku Bus Maruoka Line → Honmaruoka (transfer) → (Keifuku Bus: Route 99 Takeda Line) Takeda Nokyo-mae (get off)

Shinkansen tickets can be purchased at places such as ``Midori no Madoguchi.''

*For Shinkansen reservations, please check here ( JR Odekake Net (jr-odekake.net) ).

*Click here to purchase Echizen Railway ( Echizen Railway Co., Ltd. (echizen-tetudo.co.jp), which aims to be a service company that coexists with the local community ).

*For purchasing Keifuku Bus, please check here ( Keifuku Bus Co., Ltd. (keifuku.co.jp) ).

How to get from Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya to Sakai City by express train

Please come to Fukui Station using the Limited Express Thunderbird or Limited Express Shirasagi (required time: approximately 2 hours).

When the Hokuriku Shinkansen is extended from Kanazawa Station to Tsuruga Station on March 16, 2024, passengers from Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya Stations to Fukui Station will need to transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Tsuruga Station.

Access from Fukui Station is as follows.

[Mikuni Area] About 55 minutes by Echizen Railway to Mikuni Port Station

[Maruoka Area] Keifuku Bus Maruoka Line bound for Maruoka approximately 1 hour

[Takeda Area] Keifuku Bus Maruoka Line → Honmaruoka (transfer) → (Keifuku Bus: Route 99 Takeda Line) Takeda Nokyo-mae (get off)

*For reservations for the limited express Thunderbird/Shirasagi, please check here ( JR Odekake Net (jr-odekake.net) ).

*Click here to purchase Echizen Railway ( Echizen Railway Co., Ltd. (echizen-tetudo.co.jp), which aims to be a service company that coexists with the local community )

Please check.

*For purchasing Keifuku Bus, please check here ( Keifuku Bus Co., Ltd. (keifuku.co.jp) ).

How to get to Sakai City from Nagoya by express bus

The Hokuriku Expressway Highway Bus Fukui Line from the Osaka area will be powered up! !

How to get to Sakai City from Osaka. Direct express bus will start operating from December 23, 2023! !

Nihonkai Kanko Bus will start a new express bus service between Osaka/Kyoto and Fukui/Ashihara/Kaga (Blue Liner Hokuriku) from December 23, 2023.

It takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes from Osaka (Umeda) to Fukui Station. One-way fares range from 3,500 yen to 4,500 yen, making it a great deal.

The service will be one round trip every day starting February 29, 2024 (as of December 11, 2023), so please check the website below for details.

Osaka/Kyoto ⇔ Kanazawa/Fukui/Awara/Kaga Onsen Service Route│Highway bus/night bus reservation site [Busnoru.jp] (busnoru.jp)

The Hokuriku Highway Bus Fukui Line departing from Nagoya will be powered up! !

From 2022, the popular Nagoya ⇔ Mikuni direct bus will evolve and become the “Hokuriku Expressway Highway Bus Fukui Line”!

It takes about 3 hours from Meitetsu Bus Center to Fukui Station. The fare is 3,600 yen one way, making it a great deal.

Furthermore, the bus departing from Meitetsu Bus Center at 7:50 will be extended to Mikuni Station (scheduled to arrive at Mikuni Station at 12:00. Fares are 4,100 yen).

The return trip is scheduled to arrive at Mikuni Station at 3:25 p.m. and Meitetsu Bus Center at 7:40 p.m.

The extended operation will only operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until February 2024 (as of December 11, 2023), so please check the JR Tokai Bus official website for details.

Check here for the Hokuriku Expressway Highway Bus Fukui Line timetable! !

For other details, please check the JR Tokai Bus official website .

How to get from Komatsu Airport to Sakai City by plane

Flights to Komatsu Airport, the closest airport to Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, are operated by ANA and JAL from Haneda Airport. Additionally, EVA Air flies daily from Taipei. Please note that there are no flights to Fukui Airport.

Access from Haneda Airport

Domestic flights from Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport are available on ANA and JAL flights. Air ticket prices vary depending on when you book, but they range from 15,000 yen to 30,000 yen.

Limousine buses run from Komatsu Airport to Maruoka Interchange in Sakai City, Fukui Kita Interchange in Fukui City, and Fukui Station. It takes about 60 minutes from Komatsu Airport to Fukui Station. The price is 1400 yen.

*For purchasing limousine buses, please check here ( Komatsu Airport Line | Keifuku Bus (keifuku.co.jp) ).

Comparison of travel time and price from Tokyo Station (airplane vs. Shinkansen)

It depends on the means of transportation from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport, but it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Haneda Airport, and the flight time is about 1 hour, and it takes about 60 minutes to get from Komatsu Airport to Fukui Station in Fukui Prefecture, plus transfers and boarding. It will take approximately 4 to 5 hours, including time for baggage inspection.

When using the Shinkansen, compared to the conventional line fare and time required from Tokyo Station to Fukui Station (around 14,860 yen using the Tokaido Shinkansen and limited express, the journey time is approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes), the distance from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport is From 510 yen to around 670 yen, from Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport, 15,000 yen to 30,000 yen, from Komatsu Airport to Fukui Station, 1,400 yen, for a total of 16,970 yen to 32,070 yen, which is a little more expensive than the Shinkansen and takes longer. It may be long.

*Click here to reserve your flight ticket (ANA flight reservations, seat availability, fare information | ANA JAL | Check domestic/international flight ticket reservations .

Find the transportation method that suits your travel style!

As introduced above, there are several ways to travel to Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, including the Shinkansen, limited express, and airplane.

If you value comfort and time, we recommend choosing the Shinkansen, and if you want to enjoy the view from the sky, we recommend taking the airplane.

Find the mode of transportation that suits your itinerary, budget, and travel style and have fun.

A “tour ticket” that allows you to easily enjoy the Sakai City area in Fukui Prefecture at a great value.

The "tour ticket" that allows you to easily and affordably enjoy the Sakai City and Awara City areas of Fukui Prefecture is now a digital ticket.

It costs 2,000 yen and includes six 500 yen coupons that you can use to choose from popular stores where you can enjoy experiences, meals, shopping, and more. Tickets are limited to one per person per store, but can be shared with family and friends. (Please note that there are separate conditions depending on the store) *For example, if you are a family of 3, you can use up your card at a great value and enjoy it just by visiting 2 locations.

To purchase, click here ( Gakeppuchi Resort Tour Digital Ticket (sakai-awara.com) ).

*You must create an account to purchase tickets. Reservations can be made on the same day.

Please try using it when you go to Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture ♪