Fukui Prefecture boasts beautiful natural landscapes as one of its main attractions. Facing the Sea of Japan, the Echizen Coast is known for its vast sandy beaches and beautiful blue sea, particularly famous for its stunning sunsets. Echizen Matsushima, in particular, is a scenic spot that attracts many tourists.
Moreover, Fukui Prefecture is rich in historical heritage. There are tourist destinations scattered throughout the prefecture where you can immerse yourself in the history of the Warring States period, such as Echizen Ono Castle and the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins. Eiheiji Temple serves as a focal point of Japanese Buddhist culture and is a tranquil place to find inner peace.
Fukui Prefecture is also known for its abundance of dinosaur fossils, and the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum showcases the results of these discoveries. It’s an enticing spot for dinosaur enthusiasts and families alike.
There are many hot spring resorts in the area as well, such as Awara Onsen and Wakasa Bay Onsen, where you can relax. Awara Onsen in Fukui City, in particular, offers a prime location overlooking the sea and is a popular destination for many tourists.
The seafood in Fukui Prefecture is fresh and delicious, with Echizen crab (Snow crab) being especially famous as a high-end delicacy. There are plenty of opportunities to savor local cuisine, making it an attractive destination for food enthusiasts.
Finally, Fukui Prefecture enjoys excellent transportation access, with easy access from the Kinki region and the Kansai area. The convenience of reaching tourist spots in the prefecture makes it a traveler-friendly region.
Here are the top 10 recommended tourist destinations, particularly popular among foreign tourists.
１．Echizen Ono Castle
This castle, located in Fukui City, is popular among foreign tourists due to its splendid main keep and historical significance. Built during the Warring States period, it is the only remaining mountain castle in Fukui Prefecture. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but it was built during the turbulent times of the Warring States period and underwent expansion and renovations by many feudal lords afterward. Positioned in the heart of Echizen Province (present-day Fukui Prefecture), it held strategic importance. The castle is surrounded by mountains, serving as a natural stronghold. It features multi-layered stone walls, moats, baileys (sections within the castle), and a main keep, all typical characteristics of Japanese mountain castles. While the original main keep no longer exists, a reconstructed main keep stands in its place today. Throughout the Warring States and Edo periods, it played a crucial role in battles and served as a base for various feudal lords. Notably, it was the residence of Lord Maeda Toshiie, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, during the Edo period.
２．Echizen Matsushima Aquarium
Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, located in Echizen Town, is an aquarium known for its diverse marine life and large tanks, making it appealing to families and marine enthusiasts.
３．Suishohama
Suishohama, located in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, is a beautiful beach known for its high transparency and clear sandy shores, as its name suggests. The crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving, especially on sunny days when you can see the seabed and underwater life vividly. The beach features fine, white sand that offers a pleasant sensation as you walk along it. With its spacious shoreline, it’s an ideal place for picnics and beach activities with family and friends. Facilities like restaurants, cafes, showers, and changing rooms are available nearby, ensuring a comfortable beach experience. Camping on the beach may also be allowed in some cases. Suishohama is renowned for its breathtaking sunset views, where the evening sun reflects on the sea, creating a picturesque scene. Taking a leisurely stroll along the coast while enjoying the sunset is a special experience for visitors.
４．Eiheiji
Eiheiji is a historical Buddhist temple known for its beautiful gardens and serene atmosphere. Founded approximately 760 years ago in the 2nd year of the Kangen era by the Zen master Dogen, it serves as a training center for monks practicing Zen meditation. The temple grounds, covering about 100,000 square meters and surrounded by ancient cedar trees, house more than 70 buildings, and are currently home to over 200 monks who dedicate themselves to rigorous training day and night.
５．Echizen Cape
Echizen Cape is a picturesque cape located in Fukui Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan, known for its stunning coastline and natural landscapes. Positioned at the northernmost tip of Fukui Prefecture, it juts out into the Sea of Japan, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful sunsets over the sea. Echizen Cape is considered one of the tourist attractions in Fukui Prefecture. The area surrounding Echizen Cape boasts a beautiful coastline. Particularly, the landscape is adorned with eroded rock formations sculpted by rough waves, creating a magnificent view. Many observation decks and walking trails have been developed around the cape, offering visitors the opportunity to appreciate the stunning scenery.
The Echizen Cape Lighthouse, standing at 27 meters tall, provides an excellent vantage point for breathtaking views. Additionally, near the cape, you’ll find Echizen Cape Park, ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics. Moreover, it is renowned as a prime spot for beautiful sunsets over the Sea of Japan. Especially during the twilight hours, visitors can witness the captivating sight of the sun setting into the sea. Many people come to admire the sunset, making it a romantic experience.
６．Echizen Fukui Station
Echizen Fukui Station is a JR West railway station located in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. It serves as a transportation hub for accessing both within and outside Fukui Prefecture. It’s important to note that the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) does not pass through Echizen Fukui Station; instead, you’ll need to use Fukui Station, located within Fukui City, for shinkansen access.
The station’s surroundings feature various commercial facilities, restaurants, hotels, and more, providing convenience to passengers. Additionally, there are well-established bus connections to different parts of the city, making it easy to access Fukui City’s tourist attractions and surrounding areas.
Echizen Fukui Station offers convenient access to attractions like Echizen Ono Castle and various tourist spots, hot springs, art museums, historical buildings within Fukui City and beyond. The station’s contemporary architecture with artistic elements makes it appealing to architecture and design enthusiasts.
７．Tōjinbō
Tōjinbō is a tourist destination located along the beautiful coastline of Fukui Prefecture in Japan. Positioned along the coast of the Sea of Japan, it is particularly known for its rocky formations. These rocks have been eroded by seawater and wind, resulting in various peculiarly shaped rocks scattered along the coast. Among them, the columnar rocks, known as ‘Tōjinbō,’ which extend for several meters, are especially impressive. These rock formations were naturally created over thousands of years. There are also observation decks that provide panoramic views of the rocky formations and the sea. The vistas from these observation decks are breathtaking, particularly during the sunset hours, offering tourists the opportunity to enjoy stunning scenery. There are hiking trails in the Tōjinbō area, allowing visitors to walk along the rocky formations while immersing themselves in nature and experiencing the invigorating sea breeze.
８．The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of Japan’s largest geological and paleontological museums, with a focus on ‘dinosaurs,’ making it especially recommended for families with children. It features 44 dinosaur skeletons, impressive dioramas, and a thrilling Dino Theater.
９．Urisho no Taki (Urisho Waterfall)
Urisho no Taki (Urisho Waterfall) is located in a beautiful natural environment, surrounded by lush green forests that provide stunning scenery throughout the seasons. The water from the waterfall flows down from the mountains and gathers in a basin. Designated as one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Springs, Urisho no Taki’s spring water gushes from a valley deep in the mountains within the precincts of Tendokuji Temple. Its name, which means ‘watermelon-splitting waterfall,’ originates from its ice-cold water, so cold that it can split a watermelon even in the summer.
１０．The Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse
The Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse is a brick-built warehouse constructed during the late 19th to early 20th century. During the Meiji era, Tsuruga Port served as a vital hub for trade with the Hokuriku region, and this warehouse was used for the storage and handling of goods. While initially constructed from wood, it was later rebuilt using bricks to enhance its fire resistance. Its striking brick exterior, a hallmark of Western architecture, is particularly beautiful when illuminated by the setting sun. As a result, it has become an attractive spot for photographers and tourists.
