How the Hokuriku Shinkansen will change things! A summary of how to get to Fukui

Key points of the timetable change

Addition of new stations and improved access to tourist destinations

The new timetable adds six new stations at popular tourist destinations, including Awara Onsen Station and Fukui Station. This will dramatically improve access to tourist attractions and beautiful nature, further broadening the scope of travel. With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsurugakan, this timetable revision will shorten travel times between the Hokuriku area and the Tokyo metropolitan area, Shinetsu area, and Kinki, Chukyo and Kanazawa areas, making access even more convenient.

Significant increase in the number of trains

With the long-awaited increase in train frequency, tourists can now enjoy travel on a more flexible schedule. It is also easier to avoid crowds, so you can look forward to a more comfortable journey on board.

◆Hokuriku area to the greater Tokyo area and Shinetsu region With the start of direct service from Tokyo to Tsuruga, direct access between the greater Tokyo area and Shinetsu region and the newly opened section will be possible, shortening travel time.

Number of trains: Kagayaki: 9 round trips between Tokyo and Tsuruga, 1 round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa, Hakutaka: 5 round trips between Tokyo and Tsuruga, 9 round trips between Tokyo and Kanazawa

◆Hokuriku area to Kinki/Chukyo area The "Tsurugi" will connect with the limited express "Thunderbird" and "Shirasagi" at Tsuruga Station, and travel times will be shortened by the speed effect of the opening of the Shinkansen and the smooth transfer between the limited express and Shinkansen trains.

●Number of services: Thunderbird: 25 round trips between Tsuruga and Osaka, Shirasagi: 15 round trips between Tsuruga and Maibara or Nagoya, Tsurugi: 25 round trips between Tsuruga and Kanazawa or Toyama

Let's visit tourist attractions that are now easier to access!

Beautiful nature and historical sites

There are many beautiful natural and historical sites accessible from the new stations. For example, from Tsuruga Station you can go to tourist attractions such as the Red Brick Warehouse, a symbol of Tsuruga as an international city, and Kehi Shrine, famous for one of Japan's three largest torii gates, alongside Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture and Kasuga Shrine in Nara Prefecture. From Echizen-Takefu Station you can go to Urushi-no-Sato Kaikan, where you can learn about the history and manufacturing process of lacquerware, and Tree Picnic Adventure Ikeda, where you can enjoy ziplining and rafting in the great outdoors.

Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse

914-0072 4-1 Kanegasakicho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture

Modern warehouse built in 1905 by the Standard Oil Company When it was built, it was used as an oil storage facility, and until a few years ago, it was also used as a kelp storage facility. In 2015, a ``railroad and port diorama'' that recreates Tsuruga's townscape from the late Meiji period to the early Showa period, combining historical facts and entertainment, and ``an attractive restaurant unique to Tsuruga'' were installed, and the building is a place that combines history and culture. It has been reborn as a new tourist facility where you can enjoy food. In addition to this brick warehouse, there is also a group of active warehouses with a retro Showa atmosphere on the side of "Kirameki Minatokan".

Kehi Shrine

11-68 Akebonocho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture 914-0075

Founded in 702 AD, Kehi Jingu Shrine in Tsuruga City is one of the three major torii gates in Japan and welcomes you with its 11-meter-tall torii designated as an important cultural property. It is also famous as a power spot, and there are many places full of energy in the precincts of the shrine.

Tree Picnic Adventure Ikeda

28-16 Shizuhara, Ikeda Town, Imadate County, Fukui Prefecture 910-2523

One of Japan's largest adventure forests, located in the forests of the Shizuhara area of Ikeda Town, Fukui Prefecture. The 1km-long "Mega Zipline" that flutters in the sky from a bird's eye view is a forest. In terms of distance and ground clearance, the distance that can be skied using a single wire rope is one of the most popular in Japan. In addition, there are various programs such as the "Adventure Park" where you can walk in the air on trees, and the "Adventure Boat" with a total length of 2.1km that goes down the source of the Asuwa River. Encounter the mountains, learn from the trees, and enjoy the joys of nature.

Local delicacies

The revision has made it easier to experience the unique and delicious foods of each region. Fukui Prefecture's famous specialties include Echizen oroshi soba, sauce katsudon, Echizen crab, fried tofu, and mizu yokan. The new Shinkansen station is located next to the station, so you can enjoy meals made with local ingredients. Make your sightseeing memories even more special.

Enjoy the local charm to the fullest

Enjoy the beautiful nature, historical sites, and local cuisine that are accessible from the new stations. Thanks to the new timetable, you can visit more places and experience the local charm.

Echizen Washi no Sato Papyrus Museum

8-44 Shinzaikecho, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture 915-0232

A facility where anyone can casually experience papermaking without a reservation. The time required for the experience is about 20 to 40 minutes, and the staff will carefully explain everything from the basic knowledge of Japanese paper to the paper-making process. While learning traditional techniques, you can create your own original Japanese paper with your own design using pressed flowers, cut paper, colored water, etc., and take it home as a souvenir. In addition, a large number of Echizen Japanese paper goods that match the season and events are sold at the production area price.

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'' .

Ashiyu

910-4104 1-203 Onsen, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture

In the Awara Onsen Yunomachi Square in the center of the hot spring town, there is a footbath of the highest quality in the Hokuriku region, made entirely of cypress and made with plenty of shakudani stone from Fukui Prefecture. You can enjoy the water flowing directly from the source in 5 bathtubs using 2 different types of hot springs. It is characterized by a structure inspired by Taisho romance and a stained glass window depicting plum blossoms, irises, and geishas. At night, the stained glass and the entire footbath are lit up, creating a magical atmosphere. can.

Increase in the number of trains dramatically improves travel efficiency

With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tsuruga, travel will become much easier than before, and it will become easier to access tourist spots that were previously difficult to reach. Fukui Prefecture has many attractive places. Please take advantage of the new Hokuriku Shinkansen and enjoy a wonderful trip.

Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins

Kidonouchi-cho, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture 910-2153

Asakura, one of the Three Cultural Lords of the Warring States Period, built his city in Ichijodani about 430 years ago. In its heyday, the city housed roughly 10,000 people. It was razed by Oda Nobunaga and its remains excavated 400 years later. Ichijodani is the only place in Japan that featuring Warring States architecture in its original ruined form.