“I almost gave up and went home…”
During my solo trip to Fukui, I hit rock bottom on the very first day in Tsuruga. It was the biggest ‘travel fail’ of my life. However, what saved me was the incredible world of the Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama. It completely turned my despair into wonder.
In this article, I’m sharing my real-life mistakes and how I turned them into the ultimate travel experience. It’s not just a list of pretty spots—it’s a guide on how to survive and thrive in Fukui so you won’t have any regrets. Let’s turn your ‘travel hell’ into ‘heaven’ together!
Day 1: The Tsuruga Incident
Was a 20-minute delay fatal? Why I got stranded at Tsuruga Station.
“It was only supposed to be a few minutes…”
My nightmare began at Osaka Station. The doors of the Limited Express Thunderbird closed right in front of my eyes. In that moment, the gears of my Fukui trip started to grind to a halt.
After rebooking my reserved seat, I was hit with a ‘double punch’: an emergency stop during the journey. By the time I finally stepped onto the platform at Tsuruga Station, I was 20 minutes behind schedule.
You might think, “It’s just 20 minutes, right?”
But for a solo traveler relying entirely on public transport, those 20 minutes were the dividing line between Heaven and Hell.
The Cruel Reality of Local Buses
My destination was the Mikata Five Lakes (Rainbow Line), famous for its breathtaking views. However, getting there via the “Gokoichi Bus” (the local sightseeing loop bus) came with a set of incredibly high hurdles:
- Extremely rare service: Buses run only once every 1 or 2 hours.
- The “Tsuruga Gap”: Missing the connection at Tsuruga Station breaks your whole day.
- Long travel time: It takes about an hour each way.
Because of my 20-minute delay, I realized that waiting for the next bus would make it impossible to catch the Shinkansen to my hotel in Awara Onsen later that evening.
Looking around, I saw other tourists staring at their phones, looking just as lost as I was.
“Is navigating Tsuruga’s buses really this difficult…?”
Just like that, my first day in Fukui began by erasing every single plan I had made. I was back at zero.
Lilia’s Special Tip!
Google Maps is great, but in rural Japan, bus schedules can be tricky.
Always check the official website or ask the tourist information center at the station first!
Making the Hard Choice: Sabae or Seafood?
Stranded at Tsuruga Station, I desperately searched for “Fukui Sightseeing” on my phone. Sabae, famous for its eyewear, or the stunning cliffs of Tojinbo…? However, the “Wall of Trains” stood in my way once again.
- Sabae: A 40-minute train ride away, but trains only run once an hour.
- Tojinbo: It was in the direction of Awara Onsen, where I already had a Shinkansen booked for the evening.
With my options dwindling, I made a choice based on elimination: “Nihonkai Sakana-machi” (the Japan Sea Fish Market), which was accessible by a loop bus from Tsuruga Station.
Intense Sales Pitch and an “Average” Seafood Bowl
Upon arriving at the market, I was shocked by the sheer number of tour buses and the intense “aggressive sales pitch” from the vendors. For a solo traveler like me, the energetic shouting felt more like “pressure.” Seeking an escape, I quickly ducked into a restaurant called “Kaisendokoro Misho.”
I’m going to be completely honest here. The seafood bowl (priced for tourists) was… just “average.”
- The Look: The presentation was a bit messy. Scallions were scattered carelessly, and the egg yolk still had bits of egg white attached.
- The Taste: The slices were thick, but honestly, it didn’t taste much different from what I could eat at home.
- The Vibe: It was a quiet place to eat, but the staff were somewhat blunt and indifferent.
“I came all this way for this?” That thought only accelerated my loneliness and regret. My first day in Fukui felt like a complete failure.
The Horror of the Loop Bus: A Young Couple’s Tragedy
To make matters worse, the return bus arrived—and it was a shock. Despite being a ‘Sightseeing Loop Bus,’ it was just a tiny microbus.
I was at the front of the line, so I managed to squeeze in. But the young couple at the very end? They were denied boarding because the bus was completely full. The next bus wouldn’t come for another hour. As the doors closed, a heavy silence filled the bus. We all felt the same thing: ‘Those poor people…’.
Even after returning to Tsuruga Station, I still had several hours until my Shinkansen. I bought some souvenirs, sat on a bench, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
“I just want to go home now…”
Lilia’s Special Tip!
By the way, Japan has this initiative called “Pokémon Local Acts.”
Fukui Prefecture was selected too, so you can find Pokémon collaboration items at souvenir shops in places like train stations.
That’s a Dragonite in the photo!
Looking back, if you can drive in Japan, renting a car is the absolute best way to explore Fukui.
It would have saved me from the ’20-minute nightmare’ entirely!
If you have an International Driving Permit, I highly recommend renting a car at Tsuruga Station. Fukui’s public transport is rare, but the roads are beautiful and easy to drive. By car, you can reach the Mikata Five Lakes in 30 minutes without worrying about the bus schedule.
A Night in Heaven: Finding Peace at “Seifuso”
Feeling defeated, I boarded the Shinkansen and headed to Awara Onsen. As I dragged my feet to my hotel, I kept thinking, ‘Day 1 was such a failure…’ But waiting for me was a literal paradise.
I stayed at Seifuso, and to put it simply—it was absolutely incredible.
A Buffet That Redefines Everything: Live Kitchen & All-You-Can-Eat Crab!
I thought I knew what a hotel buffet was like, but Seifuso blew my mind. It wasn’t just a meal; it was a gourmet show!
- Live Kitchen: The aroma of steaks being grilled right in front of me brought my appetite back to life!
- Seafood Revenge: With fresh sashimi and all-you-can-eat crab, I finally got the seafood satisfaction I missed out on in Tsuruga.
- Luxury & Variety: The selection was so vast and high-quality that I felt truly pampered.
The room was beautiful, and as I soaked in the hot spring (Onsen), all the stress and ‘emotional wounds’ of the day melted away.
I thought to myself, ‘I’m so glad I didn’t go home today!’
Lilia’s Special Tip!
Details about [Seifuso], where I stayed this time, are here!👇
Day 2: The Comeback
From Awara Onsen to the Dinosaur Museum! Why the “Awara Kyoryu-go” Bus is a Lifesaver.
On Day 2, it was time for the main event: the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Taking the lessons from Day 1 to heart, I chose the smartest way to travel: I booked the ‘Awara Kyoryu-go’ (Hapi-Bus)!
- The Perks: It’s reservation-only, meaning you’re guaranteed a seat. Even with luggage, the ride is smooth and stress-free.
- The Catch: You must book in advance! Don’t forget this part!
It costs a little extra, but compared to the ‘despair of waiting for a bus’ I felt on Day 1, this comfort was absolutely priceless.
One of the World’s Top 3 Dinosaur Museums!
An Overwhelming Scale That Captivates Even Adults.
For someone like me, who grew up staring at dinosaur encyclopedias as a child, this place was a Sacred Site. Being one of the top three dinosaur museums in the world, its sheer size and power far exceeded my imagination.
Adult Privileges: Dinosaur Gourmet and “Budget-Free” Shopping.
After exploring the museum, I headed to the on-site restaurant. The food was not only adorable (Kawaii!) but also surprisingly delicious. I enjoyed my dessert alongside the dinosaur mascot I managed to grab at the market on Day 1—my only ‘trophy’ from that chaotic first day. 🦖
Finally, I hit the souvenir shop. Standing next to children whose parents were saying, ‘You can only pick one!’ or ‘Stay under the budget!’, I felt the ultimate sense of freedom. I filled my basket with whatever caught my eye, without checking the price tags. This is the true bliss of adult solo travel—absolute superiority!
For my return journey, I took the ‘Awara Kyoryu-go’ back to Awara Onsen Station, then caught the Limited Express Thunderbird via Tsuruga to Osaka.
On my second day, I only visited one place: the Dinosaur Museum. But that was more than enough. The deep sense of fulfillment I felt completely erased the despair of the first day. Looking back, I can say from the bottom of my heart, ‘I’m so glad I came to Fukui.
Final Thoughts
Fukui Taught Me That Failure is Part of the Magic
To be honest, my trip wasn’t ‘perfect.’ It was messy, unpredictable, and at times, a bit lonely.
But it was those real experiences that led me to the best hot springs and the most amazing dinosaurs.
I hope my ‘fail-to-success’ story helps you plan your own unforgettable (and hopefully smoother!) journey to Fukui.
Rental cars are also recommended
Even though you can use your smartphone for translation, Japanese can be quite challenging.
If using local railways is difficult, renting a car might be a good option.
If you’re looking for a rental car in Japan, we recommend Tabirai Japan.
You can find information about rental cars in this article.👇
Taxis are also recommended
Driving in Japan is a bit unique.
If driving is difficult, taxis might be a good option.
You can find information about taxi in this article.👇