Fukui is the capital city of Fukui Prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan and it can be reached very easily from Kanazawa by train, bus, or car. There are many attractions of interest in the area around Fukui City which can be reached by bus or train from Fukui Station. However, traveling between these attractions can be complicated, so you may find it easiest to visit this area by rental car.
The Main Attractions
The Ichijodani ruins are a partially reconstructed 15th century castle town. Many samurai houses, merchant buildings, and gardens have been restored here and there is a splendid view from the castle ruins on top of the hill. Trains on the JR Kuzuryu Line from Fukui Station to Ichijodani Station take about 15 minutes, and the museum area is about 3 minutes on foot from the station. Buses from Fukui Station’s West Gate and the Asakura/Eiheiji Direct Bus from Fukui Station’s East Gate also serve the area.
Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins
Maruoka Castle was built in 1576 and has one of Japan’s oldest surviving castle towers. There is a park with cherry trees around the castle and a small history museum nearby. From Fukui Station, take a Keifuku bus bound for Maruoka Castle, which takes about 50 minutes. Tower preservation repair work is scheduled from 6-Mar-2026 through November 2027, and scaffolding, coverings, or restricted areas may affect visits, so check the official opening calendar before making the castle the focus of a day trip.
Eiheiji Temple is a large Zen temple complex which was founded in 1244. The name of the temple means “temple of eternal peace” and this is certainly a quiet reflective place nestled in cedar woods on a mountainside just outside of Fukui. It is possible for foreign visitors to stay here and join in Zen training, but applications should be made a month in advance. The Japanese maples here are famous for their autumn colors. Keifuku Bus operates the direct Eiheiji Liner from Fukui Station East Gate to Eiheiji, taking about 28 minutes for a fare of 750 yen for adults. You can also travel by Echizen Railway to Eiheijiguchi Station and transfer to a bus, but the direct bus is the simpler public transport option when visiting from Fukui Station.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is the only dedicated dinosaur museum in all of Japan and is regarded as one of the world’s great dinosaur museums. Many of the fossils on display were discovered in the local area. The museum is in the town of Katsuyama. From Fukui Station, take the Echizen Railway Eiheiji-Katsuyama Line to Katsuyama Station, which takes about 1 hour, and then take a community bus to the museum or a taxi taking about 10 minutes.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
How to Get There
Fukui is very easy to get to from Kanazawa either by train, bus, or car. The fastest route is by Hokuriku Shinkansen, and the cheapest route listed below is by bus. However, because many of Fukui’s main attractions lie outside the city center, you may find that a rental car is more useful for getting around. Let’s take a look at these options.
The Limited Express Dinostar served Kanazawa and Fukui before the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension
By Train
Fukui Station is connected to Kanazawa Station by the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Direct Tsurugi services usually take around 30 to 40 minutes. The regular adult one-way fare is 3,210 yen for an unreserved ordinary seat or 3,740 yen for an ordinary reserved seat.
The slower local route uses IR Ishikawa Railway and Hapi-Line Fukui through services between Kanazawa and Fukui. This takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on the train, and the adult one-way fare is 1,660 yen.
By Bus
The JR Highway Express Bus bound for Kyoto & Osaka also stops in Fukui
The JR Highway Express Bus company runs one daily daytime service from Kanazawa Station that stops at Fukui Station East Gate. The service bound for Kyoto and Osaka departs from Kanazawa Station’s Kanazawa Port Gate. The bus leaves Kanazawa Station at 10.20 and arrives at Fukui Station East Gate at 11.48. The fare is 1,200 yen. All seats are reserved, and you can book tickets online at Kousokubus.net or through the operator’s sales channels.
By Car
Fukui can be reached by car from Kanazawa via the Hokuriku Expressway. The journey should take around 53 minutes. Toll fees vary by interchange, vehicle class, and ETC discounts. Of course this does not include the cost of renting a car. For more information on local driving check our article on Car Rental in Kanazawa.
Article photos by Michael Lambe. Photos by mTaira, Chun Kit Ho, Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 04-Jun-2026.
