About 3 hours from Osaka to Fukui! A detailed explanation of the new access method

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There are several ways to travel from Osaka to Fukui, including by train, bus, or car. In spring 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen will open for the first time in Fukui Prefecture. We will introduce how to get there, the travel time, and the advantages of each mode of transportation.

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There are several ways to travel from Osaka to Fukui, including by train, bus, or car. In spring 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen will open for the first time in Fukui Prefecture. We will introduce how to get there, the travel time, and the advantages of each mode of transportation.

Go from Osaka to Fukui

Fukui prefecture faces the Sea of Japan and is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan. It is rich in attractive sightseeing spots and local gourmet food that represent Japan and the world.

The main ways to get from Osaka to Fukui are by train, bus, or car, but many people don't know how long the journey will take or how much it will cost.

In this article, we will introduce the recommended ways to get from Osaka to Fukui and how to transfer. Find the transportation method that suits you best and enjoy the charm of Fukui!

How to get from Osaka to 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 ~ [Fee] From 3,450 yen

◆Express bus [Time required] Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes [Fee] 3,700 yen

◆ Private car [Time required] Approximately 2 hours 55 minutes [Fee] 6,330 yen + gasoline fee

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

Fast and convenient! Using the Thunderbird express train and the Hokuriku Shinkansen

The fastest way to get from Osaka to Fukui is to use the Thunderbird express train and the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Osaka to Fukui (one-way)

Duration: Approximately 1 hour 44 minutes

Reference fare: 3,410 yen (board ticket) + 3,680 yen (express ticket) = 7,090 yen

◆All Thunderbird express trains have reserved seats

*Please note that if you use a green seat, an additional fee will be charged.

The fare for using the Thunderbird/Hokuriku Shinkansen is higher than other means of transportation, but it is the easiest to use as it has the shortest travel time.

Also, if you are going round trip, it is more economical to purchase a round trip ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at JR station "JR Ticket Office) or "Ticket Machine" (Ticket vending machine), or if you would like to make a reservation from home, you can purchase tickets through JR West's online reservation service "e5489 (iigoyoyaku)".

However, if you are a tourist visiting Japan and have a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), you can use JR lines and the Shinkansen as much as you like, so we recommend it as it will help you save on transportation costs. However, please note that the only Shinkansen trains you can use the JR Pass to ride are the "Hikari" and "Kodama" trains, and you cannot use it to ride the "Nozomi" trains.

If you're transferring to a conventional line, transfer to the "Hapi-line-Fukui" at Tsuruga

If you don't mind taking longer and want to save money, you can also take the local train.

Osaka to Fukui (one-way)

Journey time: about 3 hours 19 minutes

Price: 3,450 yen

In spring 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, so conventional and express trains from Osaka will run only to Tsuruga Station. From Osaka to Tsuruga, take a rapid train, then transfer to the "Hapi-line-Fukui" at Tsuruga.

Osaka ⇒ (Kyoto) ⇒ (Omi-Shiotsu) ⇒ Tsuruga (transfer to "Hapi-line-Fukui") ⇒ Fukui

If there are no delays on the train, you will arrive earlier than the express bus.

In addition, the Seishun 18 Ticket is on sale, which allows unlimited rides on local JR trains nationwide for a certain period of time. If you are using the Seishun 18 Ticket to travel, this is the means of transportation you should use.

Tickets for the Osaka-Tsuruga route can be purchased at the JR station's "JR Ticket Office) or "Ticket Machine."

No transfers required! By express bus

For those who have time and want to save money, we recommend the express bus operated by JR West Bus.

Osaka to Fukui (one-way)

Duration: Approximately 4 hours 33 minutes

Price: Weekdays: 1,900 yen to 2,700 yen, Holidays: 2,500 yen to 3,300 yen

*Fares vary depending on the boarding date and purchase date.

The fare is not much different from that of conventional trains, but since there is less need to worry about train delays, I don't think it will have a big impact on arrival times.

If you purchase tickets on the day, you can purchase them at any JR West Bus counter or at the multimedia terminals installed at Lawson and Ministop convenience stores.

If you would like to make a reservation from home, you can purchase in advance via the JR West Bus reservation website or telephone reservation center. We recommend that you make a reservation in advance as there may not be seats available on the day.

If you like driving, rent a car!

If you are traveling by car, we recommend using the expressways, which are smoother than the local roads.

https://goo.gl/maps/XSGh6Zc5uA9LiQUR8

◆ Osaka to Fukui (one-way)

Duration: Approximately 2 hours 55 minutes

Fare: 7,390 yen (1,950 yen on Hanshin Route 11 Ikeda Line + 5,440 yen on the Meishin Expressway to Hokuriku Expressway)

*Prices may vary depending on ETC and holiday discounts.

*Gasoline fees will be charged separately.

Distance: Approximately 224.3 km

Route

From the Umeda Exit, take the Fukushima IC (Hanshin Route 11 Ikeda Line) for 1.6km (approximately 5 minutes) ⇒ Fukushima IC ⇒

Meishin Expressway ⇒ Hokuriku Expressway ⇒ Fukui IC ⇒ Leave Fukui IC and drive 5.2km to Fukui Station (approximately 13 minutes)

When traveling by train or bus, you have to keep a certain time in mind, but when traveling by car, you can go at your own pace and it is easy to carry a lot of luggage. If you don't want to be rushed or have a lot of luggage, we recommend traveling by car, although it will take a little longer and cost more.

Also, if you are traveling with a large group such as a family, traveling by car may be cheaper.

Must-see tourist spots when you come to Fukui!

●Tojinbo

Tojinbo, located in Mikuni-cho, Sakai City, is designated as a natural monument of Japan.

The spectacular rock face stretches for about 1 km, and the columnar joints of pyroxene andesite are an extremely rare sight that can only be seen in three places in the world. It is a representative tourist spot in the Hokuriku region.

●Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, is one of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world.

In addition to the 44 complete skeletons on display, there are also reconstructions of actual fossils, making for a wealth of highlights.

You can also experience fossil excavation in the park on the premises, making it a spot that both children and adults can enjoy.

●Mikatagoko Rainbow Line Summit Park

The Mikata Five Lakes is the collective name for the five lakes that straddle Mihama Town and Wakasa Town. At Rainbow Line Summit Park, you can get a 360-degree view of all five lakes and Wakasa Bay. The lakes have different depths and water quality, and are also called the "Five-Colored Lakes" because each lake has a different color. It is a mystical, scenic spot.

● Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto sect

Daihonzan Eiheiji, located in Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, is a strict Zen training center with a history of about 800 years. Even today, many monks train there. You can visit the temple for a fee, and you can also try Zen meditation and copying sutras. Please visit Eiheiji, which is full of Japanese atmosphere.

●Kehi Shrine●

Kehi Shrine in Tsuruga City was founded in 702 AD. You will be greeted by a large 11m-tall torii gate, one of the three largest torii gates in Japan and designated as an Important Cultural Property. It is also famous as a power spot, and there are many places within the shrine grounds that are overflowing with energy.

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

We have introduced how to get from Osaka to Fukui.

I hope this article will be helpful and help you find the transportation method that suits you best.

Please be careful when traveling to Fukui.

Written by

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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