The Limited Express Dinostar was a JR West limited express service that ran between Kanazawa Station and Fukui Station from March 2015 until March 2024. The name “Dinostar” is a mixture of the English words “dinosaur” and “star”. This name was chosen because Fukui Prefecture is famous for dinosaur fossils and the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, while the word “star” symbolized the hopes of the people of Fukui Prefecture.
A Limited Express Dinostar train at Kanazawa Station before the service ended
This service was introduced in March 2015, to coincide with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Kanazawa Station. The Dinostar gave passengers from Fukui a direct limited express link to Kanazawa, where they could transfer to Shinkansen services for Toyama, Nagano, and Tokyo. It also supplemented the Thunderbird and Shirasagi limited express services that ran between Kanazawa and Fukui. The Dinostar service ended when the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended from Kanazawa to Tsuruga on 16-Mar-2024.
Kanazawa to Fukui After the Dinostar Service
The direct route between Kanazawa and Fukui is the Hokuriku Shinkansen. From Kanazawa, Shinkansen trains serve Komatsu, Kaga-Onsen, Awara-Onsen, Fukui, Echizen-Takefu, and Tsuruga. For Kyoto, Osaka, Maibara, or Nagoya, transfer at Tsuruga to the Thunderbird or Shirasagi limited express.
The Japan Rail Pass covers JR Group services on this route, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Fukui. Ordinary local train travel between Kanazawa and Fukui is also possible via IR Ishikawa Railway and Hapi-Line Fukui, but this route is slower than the Shinkansen and uses non-JR third-sector lines. Check fares and pass coverage before choosing the local route.
Carriage banners on a Dinostar service bound for Fukui before the service ended
Key Destinations on the Kanazawa – Fukui Shinkansen Route
The destinations below were served by the Dinostar during its period of operation and are useful stops on the Kanazawa – Tsuruga section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. For departure times and fares between Kanazawa, Komatsu, Kaga-Onsen, Awara-Onsen, Fukui, and Tsuruga, use the JR West Route Finder.
Komatsu Station
Komatsu Station is a Hokuriku Shinkansen stop south of Kanazawa. Komatsu’s many attractions include the Motorcar Museum of Japan, Ishikawa Aviation Plaza, the crafts village of Yunokuni no Mori, the hot spring resort Awazu Onsen, and Hoshi Ryokan, a traditional inn which was founded in 718.
Kaga-Onsen Station
Kaga-Onsen Station serves the Kaga hot spring area. Kaga is a large sprawling city that includes within its official boundaries many smaller towns, among them the famed hot spring resorts of Yamashiro, Yamanaka, and Katayamazu. Natadera Temple is also a short bus ride from Kaga-Onsen Station and is worth a visit for its gardens and its commanding views of Mount Hakusan.
Awara-Onsen Station
Awara-Onsen Station serves the city of Awara, which is famous as a hot spring resort. It is also a useful station for travelers heading toward the Tojinbo cliffs and the coastal sights of northern Fukui Prefecture.
Fukui Station
Fukui Station is the main rail gateway to Fukui City and the prefectural capital. Its famous sites include the Ichijodani ruins, a partially reconstructed 15th century castle town, the Zen temple complex of Eiheiji Temple, Fukui Fine Arts Museum, and in the spring the 600 cherry trees that line the Asuwa River. To get to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, take the Echizen Railway from Fukui Station to Katsuyama Station, and then take a taxi or community bus to the museum.
Dinostar departure information at Kanazawa Station before the service ended
Checking Train Times
For travel between Kanazawa, Fukui, and Tsuruga, check the Hokuriku Shinkansen timetable with JR West before you travel. For travel from Tsuruga to Kyoto, Osaka, Maibara, or Nagoya, check the Thunderbird and Shirasagi limited express timetables.
The rear of a Limited Express Dinostar train
Useful Links
Use the JR West Route Maps and Timetables page to check departure times and fares for the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Thunderbird, and Shirasagi services.
The Hokuriku Area Pass covers travel in Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui, including eligible Hokuriku Shinkansen travel within the pass area. Regional passes have detailed rules for IR Ishikawa Railway and Hapi-Line Fukui sections, so check the official pass page before relying on a pass for local conventional-line travel.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 25-May-2026.
