Where to stay and what to see in Fukui
See large dinosaur skeletons and fossils at the Dinosaur Museum, or explore temple buildings connected by corridors at Eiheiji. In Ichijodani, browse excavated artifacts or walk through reconstructed houses and streets. A hotel near Fukui Station lets you make separate day trips. To combine Tojinbo's rocky coast with a relaxing hot spring stay, add nights near Awara-Yunomachi. Plan around the museum's entry slots and closures, coastal bus service, and the reconstructed townscape's shuttle operating days.
Dinosaur exhibits, temple corridors, or the coast?
Choose the Dinosaur Museum for a close look at large dinosaur skeletons and fossils, or Eiheiji for a leisurely walk through temple corridors. To explore life in the former castle town, see artifacts and reconstructed exhibits at the Ichijodani museum, then visit the reconstructed townscape to walk between samurai residences and artisans' houses. For a day by the sea, visit Tojinbo's rocky cliffs and ocean views. You can also move to Awara Onsen for a relaxing stay after your coastal walk.
Itineraries by trip length
Use Fukui Station as a base for separate days at museums, the temple, and historic sites, or move from Tojinbo to Awara Onsen for a relaxing stay. Your museum entry slot and the townscape shuttle's operating days help determine which itinerary fits.
2 days, 1 night
If you arrive in the morning and can catch the Eiheiji Liner, visit the temple on day 1 and stay one night in Fukui. On day 2, choose a full day at the Dinosaur Museum or a visit to the Ichijodani museum. Allow time after sightseeing before your onward departure.
3 days, 2 nights
Stay two nights in Fukui and visit Eiheiji and the Ichijodani museum on separate days. Add the Dinosaur Museum for dinosaur exhibits, or Tojinbo for a coastal walk. Choose around museum reservations and coastal bus operating days.
4 days, 3 nights
For two museums, Eiheiji, and the reconstructed townscape without changing hotels, stay three nights in Fukui. Schedule the final townscape visit on a day when the free weekend shuttle runs. For a hot spring break, stay one night in Fukui, then visit Tojinbo en route to two nights in Awara Onsen.
5 days, 4 nights
Four nights in Fukui let you divide the two museums, temple, coast, and reconstructed townscape across separate days. For a day of hot spring downtime, divide your stay into one night in Fukui, two in the hot spring area, and one back in Fukui. Compare how much time remains after returning from the Dinosaur Museum on the final day before your long-distance departure.
Where should you stay?
Near Fukui Station
A useful base for the museums, temple, and ruins on separate days. JR Kuzuryu Line trains, Echizen Railway, and the Eiheiji Liner east of the station have different boarding locations. On your last day, check the return to the station alongside your onward train.
Katsuyama
Compare Katsuyama accommodation if you want a long Dinosaur Museum visit. Museum buses leave from Katsuyama Station, so check the walk from your booked hotel to the station or museum and any shuttle service separately.
Near Awara-Yunomachi
Choose this base for hot springs and Tojinbo. Check whether your hotel's access guide names Awaraonsen Station or Awara-Yunomachi Station, and ask about pickup conditions.
Official Fukui tourism transportation guideRailway operator weekday round-trip connections
Before transportation and reservations
Check timetables and closures for your travel dates
Reserve your preferred Dinosaur Museum entry time first, then match trains and buses. The Eiheiji Liner runs daily with first-come boarding. For Tojinbo, distinguish weekday connections from weekends and public holidays.
The free Ichijodani townscape shuttle runs Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays April 4–November 29, 2026. For weekdays or dates outside that period, check official access information for other transportation. If your dates change, compare return train and bus services with facility closure calendars again.
Official JR timetable and fare searchJR Etsumi-Hoku Line outbound timetableLiner timetable and fares2026 Ichijodani free weekend shuttle timetableOfficial JR October 14, 2026 round-trip timetable and fare searchOfficial JR October 15, 2026 round-trip timetable and fare search3-day B Tojinbo weekday rail and bus connections recheckOfficial JR October 18, 2026 round-trip timetable and fare search4-day A free shuttle timetable in both directionsOfficial JR October 16, 2026 date-specific round-trip searchEchizen Railway April 1, 2026 timetable: hot springs to FukuiEchizen Railway station locker locations, sizes, and feesAwara Grand Hotel official accessAwara Grand Hotel official check-in and checkout guideOfficial JR November 3, 2026 date-specific round-trip searchOfficial JR November 7, 2026 date-specific round-trip searchDinosaur Museum November calendar: next-month display checked5-day A November 7 weekend shuttle timetable5-day A November 6 weekday Tojinbo round-trip connections
Checks when changing hotels
JR, Echizen Railway, and the Eiheiji Liner at east-side stop 1 have different boarding locations. On your last day, check the return from sightseeing to the station alongside time for your next train.
When moving from Tojinbo to Awara's hot springs, you do not return to Mikuni Station. Check your hotel's station name, access route, shuttle arrangements, and meal times.
Luggage storage informationHotel accessRailway transfer guideLiner timetable and faresTojinbo route segment fare chartAwara Grand Hotel official accessAwara Grand Hotel official check-in and checkout guide
When should I compare Echizen Railway passes?
The one-day pass costs ¥1,200 for junior high school age and older and is valid only Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and December 29–January 3. It covers all Echizen Railway lines on the stamped date; JR, Keifuku buses, and admission are separate. Do not apply this weekend pass to the weekday Tojinbo example.
The Dinosaur Museum transportation set costs ¥1,700 for adults on museum opening days and covers Echizen Railway and eligible Daifuku Kotsu buses. Museum admission is excluded, so reserve and pay for the entry time separately. Check that your bus is covered before purchase.
The Awara hot-spring accommodation pass costs ¥2,500 and covers Echizen Railway for the purchase day and the next day. First check that your booked hotel is on the operator's participating list. You must obtain the hotel's confirmation stamp at check-in on day 1 to use it on day 2. If you stay two nights and leave on the third day after arrival, the return date is outside this initial two-day pass's validity. Compare buses and return railway fares separately. Course amounts use regular tickets.
Echizen Railway one-day pass, dinosaur transportation set, and hot-spring accommodation pass
Explore further
Fukui food and restaurant guide
Check opening hours, prices, and reservation conditions for your chosen restaurant.
Fukui food and restaurant guide →Fukui transportation map and timetables
Select a station on the transportation map with Fukui selected to find timetables. Check operations, delays, and ticket coverage with the operator for your travel date.
Fukui transportation map and timetables →Fukui camera list
Check each camera's location and current view for a look at the area you plan to visit. Confirm facility operations and reservation availability in each facility's official guide.
Fukui camera list →How should I divide the museums, temple, historic sites, and coast?
See large dinosaur skeletons and fossils at the Dinosaur Museum, and explore life in the former castle town through artifacts and reconstructions at the Ichijodani museum. At Eiheiji, follow the visitor route through the temple corridors. To move from Tojinbo's rocky coast to the hot spring area, take a bus toward Awara-Yunomachi. Visit the reconstructed townscape on a day when its free shuttle runs.
Dinosaur Museum: plan a full day around your entry slot
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum · 福井県立恐竜博物館
The museum displays large dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and exhibits on the history of Earth and life. Transfer to a museum bus at Katsuyama Station. Reserve your entry slot first, then choose your trains and buses. The adult subtotal from Fukui is ¥3,240 for round-trip transportation and the general exhibition. Special exhibitions, the outdoor museum, activities, and meals cost extra.
Entry times and pricesTrain and bus connectionsCurrent Katsuyama Station railway faresMuseum admission and operationsDinosaur Museum permanent-exhibition introduction
Eiheiji: temple visit and lunch nearby
Eiheiji Temple · 永平寺
Follow the visitor route through temple buildings linked by corridors. The direct Liner runs from the east side of Fukui Station. Official directions allow about five minutes to walk from the bus stop to visitor reception. After your visit, you can leave time for lunch and a break at a nearby restaurant. There are indoor stairs; ask ahead about assistance and which areas you can visit.
Liner timetable and faresOfficial temple visiting guideWalking directions to the templeOfficial Fukui Eiheiji visiting route
Ichijodani: museum exhibits and reconstructed streets are separate visits
Ichijodani Asakura Family Site Museum · 福井県立一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡博物館
Browse artifacts and reconstructed exhibits to explore life in the former castle town.
Reconstructed Townscape of Ichijodani · 一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡 復原町並
At the reconstructed townscape, walk between samurai residences and artisans' houses. Compare separate admission with the two-site combined ticket on the museum's official website. The three-night Fukui itinerary visits the two sites on different days and schedules the townscape on the final day, when the free weekend shuttle runs.
Museum operations and admissionCurrent townscape operations and admission2026 Ichijodani free weekend shuttle timetableIchijodani museum exhibit introduction
Tojinbo and Awara Onsen: a hot spring stay after the coast
Tojinbo Cliffs · 東尋坊
After seeing the rocky cliffs and sea views, decide whether to return to Fukui or move to a hot spring hotel.
Awara Onsen · あわら温泉
The bus back toward your Fukui hotel travels in a different direction from the bus to Awara Onsen. The hot spring itinerary takes a bus toward Awara-Yunomachi rather than returning to Mikuni Station. Set your time on the coast around your hotel's pickup and dinner schedule.
Tojinbo route segment fare chartAwara Grand Hotel official accessAwara Grand Hotel official check-in and checkout guideSightseeing boat operator access guide
Which trains and buses leave from Fukui Station?
JR, Echizen Railway, and the east-side Liner have different boarding points. Allow time to buy tickets, move through the station, and wait for your next service when transferring.
Dinosaur Museum: Echizen Railway → Katsuyama → D-line bus
Take a Katsuyama-bound train from Echizen Railway's Fukui Station to the terminus. Transfer to a D-line bus, which runs on museum opening days, and get off at Geo Terminal. Continue to the general entry gate on the main building's third floor. For your return, check both the museum bus and the Katsuyama-to-Fukui train. The museum's last bus and the railway's last train leave at different times.
Train and bus connectionsMuseum entry procedureBus and parking access
Eiheiji: Liner from east-side stop 1
Board the Eiheiji Liner at stop 1 on Fukui Station's east side and ride to the terminus. The bus runs daily and boards on a first-come basis; check your return service too. Walk about five minutes from the temple bus stop to reception. Leave an earlier return option in case buses fill up or traffic causes delays.
Ichijodani: JR Kuzuryu Line → museum
Take the JR Etsumi-Hoku Line (Kuzuryu Line) from Fukui to Ichijodani Station, then walk about three minutes to the museum's main building. Ichijodani Station does not support ICOCA, so prepare a train ticket. To continue to the reconstructed townscape, the free shuttle from the museum runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from April 4 through November 29, 2026. It seats 24, with priority for guided-tour participants. This shuttle does not run on weekdays.
Ichijodani Station facilitiesMuseum access2026 Ichijodani free weekend shuttle timetable
What is Echizen soba?
A signature way to serve Echizen soba is oroshi soba: boiled and chilled buckwheat noodles with cold broth, grated daikon, bonito flakes, and scallions. Look for it on restaurant menus if you would like noodles with grated radish. The taste varies with the radish and serving style.
On your Dinosaur Museum day, allow time for lunch during your visit and before the return bus. After Eiheiji, choose a restaurant near the temple that is open. If your hot spring booking includes dinner, check the hotel's meal time. Food is outside the transportation and admission subtotals below.
Ministry of Agriculture: how to eat Echizen and oroshi sobaWalking directions to the templeMuseum admission and operationsAwara Grand Hotel official check-in and checkout guide
Costs for museum, temple, and coastal visits
These figures are for one adult traveling from Fukui at regular fares. Lodging, meals, long-distance transportation to and from Fukui, special exhibitions, sightseeing boats, and extra activities are separate. No transportation-pass discounts are applied. Check valid routes and days in the transportation and booking guidance above.
| Route or attraction | Adult cost | Included and extra costs |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur Museum general exhibition day | ¥3,240 | Exhibition ¥1,000 + train ¥820 × 2 + bus ¥300 × 2. |
| Eiheiji round trip | ¥2,700 | Admission ¥700 + Liner ¥1,000 × 2. Zazen and overnight programs are separate. |
| Ichijodani Site Museum round trip | ¥1,220 | Basic exhibition ¥700 + JR ¥260 × 2. Special exhibitions and the reconstructed townscape are separate. |
| Tojinbo visit with return to Fukui | ¥2,120 | Fukui–Mikuni train ¥780 × 2 + bus ¥280 × 2. Sightseeing boats and viewing facilities cost extra. |
| Reconstructed townscape admission | ¥330 | Ages 15 and up. Separate from museum admission. The free shuttle has operating-day and capacity limits. |
Current Katsuyama Station railway faresTrain and bus connectionsMuseum admission and operationsLiner timetable and faresOfficial temple visiting guideMuseum operations and admissionOfficial JR timetable and fare searchOfficial Mikuni Station fare chartTojinbo route segment fare chartCurrent townscape operations and admission
Can I check cameras before visiting Katsuyama?
Use Katsuyama City's camera list to check each camera's location and current view of the area you plan to visit. Check the museum's official information for closures, entry slots, and booking availability. Use railway and bus operators' information for service updates.
Katsuyama City's official camera list; detailed views unconfirmed
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near Fukui Station or in Awara Onsen?
Consider a base near Fukui Station if you want to visit the Dinosaur Museum, Eiheiji, and Ichijodani on separate days. A stay near Awara-Yunomachi also works for hot spring downtime combined with Tojinbo. Before booking, check which station serves the hotel, how to reach it, and its pickup and meal times.
Train and bus connectionsLiner timetable and faresMuseum accessRailway operator weekday round-trip connectionsAwara Grand Hotel official access
Are Awaraonsen and Awara-Yunomachi the same station?
No. Awara-Yunomachi is on Echizen Railway's Mikuni-Awara Line. Check the station named in your hotel's directions before choosing your route. If you need a hotel pickup, ask which station it serves and whether you must book ahead.
Awara Grand Hotel official accessAwara-Yunomachi Station Fukui-bound timetable and fares
Sources and checked dates
- Hotel access ·
- Luggage storage information ·
- Liner timetable and fares ·
- Walking directions to the temple ·
- Train and bus connections ·
- Museum entry procedure ·
- Railway transfer guide ·
- Entry times and prices ·
- Bus and parking access ·
- Official JR timetable and fare search ·
- JR Etsumi-Hoku Line outbound timetable ·
- Ichijodani Station facilities ·
- Museum access ·
- Museum operations and admission ·
- Museum admission and operations ·
- Official temple visiting guide ·
- Official Fukui tourism transportation guide ·
- Sightseeing boat operator access guide ·
- Railway operator weekday round-trip connections ·
- Official Mikuni Station fare chart ·
- Current Katsuyama Station railway fares ·
- Current townscape operations and admission ·
- Awara-Yunomachi Station Fukui-bound timetable and fares ·
- 2026 Ichijodani free weekend shuttle timetable ·
- Tojinbo route segment fare chart ·
- Official JR October 14, 2026 round-trip timetable and fare search ·
- Official JR October 15, 2026 round-trip timetable and fare search ·
- 3-day B Tojinbo weekday rail and bus connections recheck ·
- Official JR October 18, 2026 round-trip timetable and fare search ·
- 4-day A free shuttle timetable in both directions ·
- Official JR October 16, 2026 date-specific round-trip search ·
- Echizen Railway April 1, 2026 timetable: hot springs to Fukui ·
- Echizen Railway station locker locations, sizes, and fees ·
- Awara Grand Hotel official access ·
- Awara Grand Hotel official check-in and checkout guide ·
- Official JR November 3, 2026 date-specific round-trip search ·
- Official JR November 7, 2026 date-specific round-trip search ·
- Dinosaur Museum November calendar: next-month display checked ·
- 5-day A November 7 weekend shuttle timetable ·
- 5-day A November 6 weekday Tojinbo round-trip connections ·
- Echizen Railway one-day pass, dinosaur transportation set, and hot-spring accommodation pass ·
- Ministry of Agriculture: how to eat Echizen and oroshi soba ·
- Katsuyama City's official camera list; detailed views unconfirmed ·
- Dinosaur Museum permanent-exhibition introduction ·
- Official Fukui Eiheiji visiting route ·
- Ichijodani museum exhibit introduction ·