Fukui Hidden Gems
19 spots
Eiheiji Temple — 700-Year-Old Zen Training Monastery
Eiheiji (永平寺, 'Temple of Eternal Peace') is one of Japan's two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism, founded in 1244 by Zen…
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum — World-Class Fossil Collection
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum ranks among the world's three premier dinosaur museums (alongside Beijing and Drum…
Tojinbo Cliffs — Hexagonal Basalt Columns Over the Sea
Tojinbo is a 1-kilometer stretch of vertical basalt columnar jointing cliffs rising 20–30 meters above the Sea of Japan…
Wakasa Bay — Saba Kaido Mackerel Route Heritage
Wakasa Bay (若狭湾) is a deeply indented coastal region facing the Sea of Japan, historically famous as the terminus of the…
Echizen Crab — Winter King of the Sea of Japan
Echizen crab (越前蟹) is the regional name for male snow crab (Zuwai-gani) caught in the waters off Fukui Prefecture, consi…
Sauce Katsudon — Fukui's Signature Pork Cutlet Bowl
Sauce katsudon is Fukui's regional soul food and the polar opposite of the egg-bound katsudon known elsewhere in Japan.…
Oroshi Soba — Grated Radish Buckwheat Noodles
Echizen oroshi soba is Fukui's traditional buckwheat noodle dish, defined by the use of coarsely grated daikon radish mi…
Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins — Buried Samurai City
Ichijodani (一乗谷) was the castle town of the Asakura clan, who ruled Echizen Province (now Fukui) for 103 years (1471–157…
Maruoka Castle — Japan's Oldest Surviving Keep
Maruoka Castle (丸岡城) possesses the oldest surviving castle keep (tenshu) in Japan, constructed in 1576 — a claim dispute…
Echizen Lacquerware — 1,500 Years of Urushi Craft
Echizen lacquerware (越前漆器) traces its origins to the 6th century when Emperor Keitai, during travels in Echizen, request…
Echizen Washi Paper — UNESCO Intangible Heritage Craft
Echizen washi (越前和紙) is handmade paper produced using techniques unchanged for 1,500 years, recognized by UNESCO as Inta…
Mount Hakusan White Mountain — Sacred Alpine Hiking
Mount Hakusan (白山, 'White Mountain', 2,702m) is one of Japan's three sacred mountains alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Tat…
Yokokan Garden — Edo-Period Feudal Lord's Retreat
Yokokan (養浩館庭園) is the former villa garden of the Matsudaira clan, feudal lords who ruled Fukui Domain for 270 years dur…
Awara Onsen — Historic Hot Spring Resort Town
Awara Onsen (芦原温泉) is Fukui's premier hot spring resort, established in 1883 when a farmer accidentally discovered therm…
Sotomo Crags — Sea Cave Cruise Through Cliffs
The Sotomo coast (蘇洞門) on the Uchikoshi Peninsula in northern Wakasa Bay is a 6-kilometer stretch of sheer granite and a…
Fukui City Ruins Museum — Under-Floor Archaeological Site
The Fukui City History Museum (福井市立郷土歴史博物館) features a unique exhibition format: the museum building was constructed dir…
Wakasa Obama Juku Food Culture Museum — Regional Cuisine Heritage
The Obama Food Culture Museum (御食国若狭おばま食文化館) celebrates Obama's 1,500-year history as miketsukuni — an imperial food-sup…
Mikuni Minato — Historic Port Town and Sunset Viewpoint
Mikuni (三国湊) was one of Hokuriku's most prosperous ports during the Edo and Meiji periods, serving as the coastal hub fo…
Echizen Pottery Village — Ancient Kiln Town
Echizen-yaki (越前焼) is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns (Rokkoyō), with pottery production dating to the Heian period (79…