Shinkansen Dreams

The big shiny news of the week - Fukui’s shinkansen dreams were finally answered this weekend when a new bullet train line extension opened on March 16th, directly connecting Fukui to Tokyo. This marks the first time in history that a bullet train will operate within the prefecture.

Needless to say, the train paparazzi were out in their droves. And rightly so!

The new Hokuriku Line section will shorten the journey from Tokyo to Fukui City by 30 minutes - the fastest service clocking in at 2hrs 52 minutes. Alternatively, you can try walking from Japan’s capital to Fukui but it may take 5-6 days.

This is Ayami Nakajô , a person of such aerodynamic presence they modeled a shikansen after her.

The expansion adds an additional six stations to the bullet train line, two in Ishikawa Prefecture - Komatsu and Kaga-Onsen - and an additional four stations in Fukui - Awara Onsen, Fukui, Echizen-Takefu and Tsuruga. The development is expected to greatly boost tourism in the region, particularly in Ishikawa Prefecture which is still recovering from the destruction of the New Year’s day earthquake.

Spectators trying to cool the Shinkansen down to a halt with plastic fans. Thankfully, this one has been equipped with brakes.

However, this also presents a great opportunity for Fukui, an often overlooked travel destination, to bolster it’s image and attract a new demographic of travelers - those looking to venture away from the tourist epicenters of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in search of new and exciting realms to explore. Some of those realms may or may not include velociraptor bones.

At Osaka Expo 2023 promoting Katsuyama City, Fukui, the center of dinosaur research in Japan and home to one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world.

But wait, I didn’t see Takahama on the list of bullet train stops. Yes, unfortunately Japan Rail seems to have ran out of track and has no current plans to get more in stock.

See, look what you did JR. You made Pikchu cry.

However, at just a two hour train or car ride from Kyoto city, and with a local train connection to Tsuruga City, we are looking forward to welcoming more and more visitors as we gear up to show the world what Takahama and rest of Fukui has to offer.

Stay tuned for more news on regional development projects in and around Takahama.

And this is just one of the things Takahama has to offer. Beautiful crystal clear waters and gigantic natural archways. Love all that.

Photo credit: Florian Koschella.

A few more snaps taken around town.