Perfect Nature Destination Near to Kyoto and Kanazawa: How to Get to Wakasa Takahama?

Sponsored by Wakasa Takahama Tourism Association

Less than two hours from Kyoto, and three hours from Kanazawa, is Wakasa Takahama – home to one of only two Blue Flag beaches in Japan! Unlike Japan’s other Blue Flag beach though (Kamakura, south of Tokyo), Wakasa Takahama is still relatively unheard of amongst us foreigners. But why is this!? Wakasa Takahama is in Hokuriku Region (Fukui Prefecture) on the main island of Honshu, and has easy access from some of Japan’s major cities. It’s also the perfect spot for relaxation and a traditional Japanese beach vibe, making it completely unique!

In this article, I’ll be showing you a few of the different ways to get to Wakasa Takahama from Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, and Tokyo, as well as useful driving, train and local area information. For easy access, follow the short links below!

• Access from Kyoto
• Access from Osaka
• Access from Kanazawa
• Access from Tokyo
• Useful Train Info
• Useful Driving Info
• Wakasa Takahama: Useful Area Info

Access from Kyoto

By Train

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Maizuru Line to Higashi-Maizuru, then the JR Obama Line to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 2 hours, cost: approx. 4,400 yen*.

*If you are an overseas visitor, then the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) may provide better value for money. The JR Passes which will cover your entire journey from Kyoto are the: JR All Pass, Kansai WIDE Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass.

The JR Kansai Area Pass and Sanyo-San’in Area Passes will only cover your travel up until Sonobe. From there, you can purchase a ticket to Wakasa Takahama from as little as 1,500 yen.

For avid train enthusiasts, be sure to check out the Hashidate train which is a fancy train that covers the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as servicing “one of Japan’s scenic three views” – Amanohashidate.

For more useful train tips, jump to the end of the article here!

By Car

Rental cars are available from Kyoto Station from around 6,000 yen per day.

Take the Kyoto-jukan Expressway to Ayabe Junction and then the Maizuru-wakasa Expressway to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 2 hours, distance: approx. 110 km. Please note that this route has tolls!

For more useful driving info, jump to the end of the article here!

Access from Osaka

By Train

From Osaka Station, take the JR Special Rapid train to Kyoto, the Maizuru Line to Higashi-Maizuru and finally the JR Obama Line to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes, cost: approx. 5,100 yen*.

*If you are an overseas visitor, then the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) may provide better value for money. The JR Passes which will cover your entire journey from Osaka are the: JR All Pass, Kansai WIDE Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass.

The JR Kansai Area Pass and Sanyo-San’in Area Passes will only cover your travel up until Sonobe, from there, you can purchase a ticket to Wakasa Takahama from as little as 1,500 yen.

For more useful train tips, jump to the end of the article here!

By Car

Rental cars are available from Osaka Station from around 6,000 yen per day.

Take the Chogoku Expressway to Yokawa Junction and then the Maizuru-wakasa Expressway to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 2 hours, distance: approx. 150 km. Please note that this route has tolls!

For more useful driving info, jump to the end of the article here!

Access from Kanazawa

By Train

From Kanazawa Station, take the JR Thunderbird or Shirasagi Limited Express train to Tsuruga, then the JR Obama Line to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 3 hours, cost: approx. 6,200 yen*.

*If you are an overseas visitor, then the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) may provide better value for money. Both the JR All Pass and the Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass will cover your entire journey. Alternatively, the Hokuriku Pass will cover your travel up until Obama, from there, you can purchase a ticket to Wakasa Takahama for only 320 yen. Or, the JR Takayama-Hokuriku (Central) Pass will cover your travel up until Tsuruga, from there you can purchase a ticket to Wakasa Takahama for approx. 1,300 yen.

For more useful train tips, jump to the end of the article here!

By Car

Rental cars are available in Kanazawa from around 6,000 yen per day.

Take the Hokuriku Expressway to Tsuruga Junction and then the Maizuru-wakasa Expressway to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 2h 30 minutes, distance: approx. 200 km. Please note that this route has tolls!

For more useful driving info, jump to the end of the article here!

Access from Tokyo

Due to the sheer distance (600km!), the best way for most people to access Wakasa Takahama from Tokyo is by train, with use of the the Shinkansen (bullet train) which runs from both Tokyo and Shinagawa stations. However, for those travelling in groups, with small children, or anyone just fancying a road trip, driving can be a fun, convenient and cheaper option!

By Train

From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Maibara then the Limited Express Shirasagi to Tsuruga and finally the Obama Line to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 5 hours, cost: approx. 15,000 yen*.

*If you are an overseas visitor, then the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) provides better value for money. The only JR Pass which will cover your entire journey is the JR All Pass. The return journey to and from Wakasa Takahama is covered in the price of this journey alone! Please note the JR Pass is not valid on all Shinkansen so please check validity in advance.

For more useful train tips, jump to the end of the article here!

By Car

Rental cars are available across Tokyo, but the best deals for foreign visitors are usually found at either Haneda or Narita Airport. Prices start at around 5,000 yen per day for the smallest class.

Take the Chou Expressway to Nagoya Junction, then the Tomei Expressway to Maibara Junction, then the Hokuriku Expressway to Tsuruga Junction and then the Maizuru-wakasa Expressway to Wakasa Takahama. Duration: approx. 7 hour, distance: approx. 600 km. Please note that most routes from Tokyo will have tolls!

For more useful driving info, jump to the end of the article here!

Useful Train Information

The best website for checking train times and fares across Japan is www.hyperdia.com.

To find out more information about the JR Pass, including pass validity and eligibility please visit the official website: www.japanrailpass.net. For those travelling without JR Passes, many long distance trains (including shinkansen) will require you to choose between reserved and unreserved seating. Depending upon which trains you take, the difference between the two options may not be much at all, so be sure to ask for both pricing options if you’re unsure. If you need to board a train which you have two tickets for (both the fare and the seat) you will probably need to put both tickets into the ticket barrier.

I should also add, if you are travelling on the Obama line, either west (from Tokyo/Kanazawa), or east (from Kyoto/Osaka) towards Wakasa Takahama, be sure to sit on the right hand side, or left hand side of the train respectively. The views of Wakasa Bay are stunning!

Useful Driving Information

There is ample parking around around Wakasa-Takahama, with many of the ryokans and minshukus offering free parking for guests. Otherwise, public parking zones cost around 300-1,000 yen per day.

If you need somewhere to rest during your drive, please visit the website Michi no Eki to find road side rest areas across Japan.

Wakasa Takahama: Useful Area Information

Located inside the train station to the right (just after the ticket counter) is the Wakasa Takahama Tourist Association. From there you can collect a rental bicycle, book water sport activities or just say hello! For more information, please contact info@wakasa-takahama.jp or visit the website www.wakasa-takahama.jp. The friendly staff can also help you to find accommodation at a local ryokan or minshuku (types of Japanese inns).

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