Part IV: Getting on the Train Bound for Fukui Station

You walked across the platform and now you are awaiting the arrival of the train that takes you on your last leg of the journey.

Looking up the track, awaiting the arrival of the train bound for Fukui. it should be here in a few minutes. Look at your ticket again to make sure you are at the right place. Check the time. Look at the JR clock. Know this: the trains in Japan ALWAYS run EXACTLY on time. They are almost NEVER late. Watch. Test it yourself. Now might be a good time to reset your watch to exact JR time. They pride themselves on correct time.

There are several trains that you may be taking. I don't know if you will get on this Raicho, an older train that makes a few more stops and takes just a bit longer, or the Thunderbird, which is a slightly newer train that travels a bit faster. Whichever it may be, the Japanese trains are great. You can relax, you can sleep and you can get a kink in your neck from the seats that look wonderful but for some reason don't seem to quite fit non-Japanese physiques. Oh! The train's here, so time to get on.

This train does not have any special luggage storage space. So if you brought your luggage and did not send it ahead, you need to store it somewhere. The carryon stuff you can put above your seat, but the bigger stuff, probably is best to fit behind one of the seats like this. You may need to drag the luggage to the opposite side if you got on and the seats are facing the different direction. Well, if it is full, your only choice is to bring the luggage right to either where your feet are, or along side your seat. But know this: a trolley with food will pass by as will many people coming and going.

As you did for the Haruka, you need to give all three tickets to the conductor when he comes by to check the tickets. He will stamp them. See the little red circle stamp on the left ticket? Very nice. You will also notice that when he gives them back to you, he puts them all very neatly in one little pile, turns them around and hands them to you with the utmost politeness and courtesy. The JR system is a very good system. You can see even in the smallest details as the conductor comes and bows every time he passes through the compartment. Enjoy the experience; remember these fine little things for when you go home to tell your stories that last way into your days of forgetfulness.

Ah yes, did I forget to say that you will have about two plus hours to relax? So relax. Your feet must be hot so take off your shoes. Just don't walk around shoeless, and especially don't go barefoot into the toilets or you will be in for a very nice surprise. You will hear the announcement for when it is time to get out. Before you get to Fukui, your train will stop at Tsuruga (about 30 minutes away from Fukui), then maybe Takefu and Sabae. Sabae station is about 10 minutes or less away from Fukui.

Once you get out of the train at Fukui Station, you will need to go up a set of steps hauling your luggage. Why is Fukui station not more traveler-friendly? I don't know. It is only a few steps as you can see so don't worry, too much. Just keep your stomach muscles pulled in tight as you lug your suitcases up the stairs. Once you get to the top of the stairs you need to go to the MAIN entrance. That will be where most people go. You cannot see it right away so need to walk through the corridor for a while, then down another flight of steps, like above. Once you are down, you will see the turnstiles to your left. All you need to do is give the person there all three of your tickets, and you are free to walk out. I will be waiting right there for you.

Take a deep breath, wipe the sweat from your brow. Likely your tummy is growling now because you chose not to eat the dried squid snacks on the train. You may even be a bit thirsty. That's OK, because the first thing we are going to do is go and eat. Then off to the baths where you can take away all the stress and strain of the long flight and long trip you had getting to Japan, and then from the airport to Fukui.

Oh right, I'll be waiting for you right at the turnstiles:

Part Five: Getting to Kamishii-mura from Fukui

Good job. See you soon.

Review (it never hurts to learn something by heart... and then have backup cheat notes on your palm just to be double sure!)

Part One: Getting Out of Kansai Airport

Part Two: Getting Into JR Station

Part Three: Getting on the Haruka Express for Shin Osaka

Cam Switzer
October 4th, 2003