Transport Kyoto-Tsuruga (Hokuriku shink)

I am planning on going from Kyoto and using the Hokuriku shinkansen to explore central Honshu, but there is no (shinkansen) connection between Kyoto and the Hokuriko last stop in Tsuruga. Does anyone know or have suggestions on the best way to get from Kyoto to Tsuruga or any of the first stops on the line?
When I try different train calculators, I think it just suggests going to Tokyo, but that would defeat the purpose of doing a round trip.

Does anyone know or have suggestions on the best way to get from Kyoto to Tsuruga or any of the first stops on the line?

The JR Thunderbird limited express train gets you to Tsuruga:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6650.html#section_get_there