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Fukui Prefecture Tourism Guide: A thorough introduction to the true charms and model itineraries that foreign tourists don't know about
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As the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan increases, Fukui Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan coast, is gaining attention as a "hidden gem" that is still little known overseas. There are plenty of experiences that can only be enjoyed here, such as one of the world's leading dinosaur fossil excavation sites, the Zen-like silence of Eiheiji Temple, and the impressive cliffs of Tojinbo.
This article is written with the perspective of foreign visitors in mind, and provides an easy-to-understand introduction to Fukui Prefecture's history, culture, nature, cuisine, and activities, along with tourist attractions and access information. It also includes information for inbound tourists, such as English signage, multilingual support, vegetarian and halal options, and Wi-Fi hotspots, so that even travelers from overseas can imagine a comfortable trip.
What you'll learn in this article:
- Basic information about Fukui Prefecture and its attractions for foreigners
- Access from the airport and discount tickets
- Highlights of major tourist spots such as Tojinbo, Eiheiji Temple, and the Dinosaur Museum
- Characteristics of Fukui cuisine, such as Echizen soba and Echizen crab
- Hands-on activities popular with foreign visitors, such as washi paper making and zazen meditation
- Foreigner-friendly accommodations and useful travel information
- Seasonal events and a three-day, two-night itinerary
Table of Contents
What is Fukui Prefecture? Its appeal to foreign tourists
Fukui Prefecture is located in the Hokuriku region facing the Sea of Japan, and is a region rich in nature, surrounded by mountains and the sea. It is not as well known as big metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Osaka, but the tourist spots are less crowded, making it an ideal area for individual travelers seeking a quiet and peaceful trip.
A location where nature and history blend together
Fukui Prefecture is surrounded by natural treasures such as Mt. Hakusan and the Kuzuryu River. What has particularly attracted attention is the large number of fossil excavation sites dating back to the age of dinosaurs, approximately 120 million years ago. Fukui is also known as the "Dinosaur Kingdom," and has attracted the attention of paleontologists from all over the world.
English signage and infrastructure for foreigners
Major tourist spots are equipped with signs in English, Chinese, and Korean, making it easy for foreign tourists to travel and sightsee. In addition, the number of English-speaking staff at tourist information centers is increasing, lowering the language barrier, providing peace of mind.
How to get to Fukui: Access from the airport and transportation
When foreign tourists visit Fukui, they usually fly into Kansai International Airport or Chubu Centrair International Airport. From the airport, it is convenient to travel to Fukui City or Tsuruga City by train or express bus.
Access by Shinkansen and Limited Express
From Osaka or Nagoya, you can access Fukui Station without changing trains on the Shirasagi or Thunderbird limited express trains. Furthermore, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is scheduled to be extended to Tsuruga in 2024, which is expected to greatly improve access from Tokyo.
Tickets and travel passes for foreigners
The Japan Rail Pass and Regional Pass offered by JR are discount tickets available exclusively to foreign tourists and can also be used for travel within Fukui Prefecture. If you purchase them in advance, you can plan a flexible itinerary while keeping transportation costs down for long-distance travel.
Must-see tourist spots in Fukui: Enjoy nature, history, and dinosaurs
Fukui Prefecture is dotted with unique tourist spots that are worth visiting. Here we will introduce some of the most popular spots that we especially recommend for foreign tourists.
Tojinbo: A spectacular cliff view overlooking the Sea of Japan
Tojinbo is a scenic spot where cliffs made of columnar joints stretch for about one kilometer, 20 to 30 meters high. The impressive sight of the rough waves of the Sea of Japan crashing against the cliffs is truly a work of art created by nature. If you take a sightseeing boat, you can enjoy the spectacular view from a special angle looking up at the cliffs from the sea. It is also a popular photo spot, and the contrast between the sea and the rock face, which changes depending on the weather and time of day, is impressive.
Eiheiji Temple: A training center where you can experience the world of Zen
Founded by Zen Master Dogen, Eiheiji is one of Japan's leading Zen temples and an active training center where hundreds of monks still live. The temple grounds are lined with historic buildings, and visitors can experience the spirit of Zen in a tranquil atmosphere. There are also courses available where you can experience zazen, which is highly popular with foreign tourists interested in Buddhism and mindfulness.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum: One of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is a large facility that is counted as one of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world, and is a popular spot that can be enjoyed by dinosaur lovers of all ages. The museum displays a large number of life-size dinosaur models and real fossils, allowing you to experience the world of the dinosaur era in a very realistic way. There is also ample English information available, making it an easy environment for foreign tourists with families to visit.
Savor Fukui's gourmet food: Local cuisine popular with foreigners
Fukui Prefecture is blessed with bountiful seafood from the Sea of Japan, and its unique food culture will enhance your travel experience. It is also notable for its many traditional dishes that are popular with foreigners.
Echizen Soba: A healthy specialty made with spicy daikon radish
Echizen Oroshi Soba , a specialty of Fukui, is characterized by its soba noodles made with plenty of buckwheat flour and no binders. Served with plenty of spicy grated daikon radish, it is a refreshing dish that is popular as a light and healthy dish. It is easy to introduce as a meat- and fish-free menu item, making it a great choice for health-conscious travelers and vegans.
Echizen crab: A high-quality snow crab that can only be enjoyed in winter
When it comes to winter delicacies in Fukui, the Echizen crab , known as a brand of snow crab, is the one to come to mind. The fishing season is limited to November through March, making it a special gourmet experience for travelers visiting Fukui during this period. Combine it with sightseeing and you can have a luxurious time savoring the flavors of the winter Sea of Japan.
Popular hands-on activities for foreigners
Activities that allow foreign tourists to experience culture and nature, rather than just visiting tourist spots, are often a highlight of their trip. Fukui Prefecture offers a wide range of experiences that allow you to experience traditional crafts and Zen culture.
Washi-making experience: Visiting an Echizen washi workshop and making your own paper
Echizen washi paper, with a history dating back 1,500 years, is one of Japan's most representative traditional crafts. At specialized workshops, you can observe the papermaking process and even try making paper with your own hands. You can create original message cards and bookmarks, perfect to take home as mementos of your trip. Many facilities offer language support, so even first-time visitors can participate with confidence.
Zazen and Sutra Copying Experience: Time to Calm Your Mind
There are many programs available around Eiheiji Temple where you can experience zazen and copying sutras. These quiet times, where you can regulate your breathing and calm your mind, are highly rated, especially by Western tourists who are interested in "mindfulness." We recommend incorporating these experiences as an opportunity to refresh your mind in between sightseeing.
Accommodation Information: Foreigner-Friendly Hotels and Inns
In Fukui Prefecture, the number of accommodations designed with foreign tourists in mind is increasing in line with the rise in inbound demand. You can choose from a variety of accommodations to suit your style, from hotels with Wi-Fi and English-speaking staff to traditional Japanese inns.
Enjoy Japanese culture at a hot spring inn
In the Awara Onsen and Awara Onsen areas, there are an increasing number of hot spring inns that welcome foreigners. The appeal is that you can experience unique Japanese lifestyle and culture, such as trying on a yukata and staying in a tatami room. You can experience Japanese hospitality while soaking in the hot springs and soothing your travel fatigue.
Fukui's infrastructure and support to make your trip comfortable
In Fukui Prefecture, local governments are taking the lead in promoting inbound tourism, and an environment is being created where even foreign tourists visiting the Sea of Japan side for the first time can enjoy their trip with peace of mind.
Multilingual tourist information center
Fukui City and Tsuruga City have tourist information centers that offer services in English, Chinese, and Korean. Tourist maps and event information are also distributed in multiple languages, making them useful for gathering information on the spot. They also provide advice on itineraries and transportation information, making them a reassuring presence for first-time visitors who may feel anxious.
Communications infrastructure and cashless payments
Free Wi-Fi is available at major tourist spots, and you can easily navigate your way around using map and translation apps. Many facilities also accept credit cards and electronic money, and Asian payment methods such as PayPay and Alipay are increasingly being accepted. This is also a great option for travelers who don't want to carry a lot of cash.
Enjoy seasonal events and festivals
Fukui Prefecture has four distinct seasons, and each season has its own unique events and festivals. By enjoying these with the locals, you can experience Fukui's culture on a deeper level.
Winter illuminations on the Echizen Coast
In winter, illumination events are held in various places in Fukui, with the Sea of Japan as a backdrop. The cool sea breeze creates a fantastical landscape of lights, adding a romantic touch to your travels in the cold season.
Katsuyama Sagicho Festival: A dynamic fire festival
The Katsuyama Sagicho Festival , held at the end of February, is a traditional fire festival filled with the enthusiasm and energy of local residents. Featuring flashy hats and drum performances, the dynamic spectacle is highly photogenic. It's sure to be a memorable experience for foreign tourists who want to experience regional Japanese culture firsthand.
Fukui sightseeing model route: Recommended itinerary for 2 nights and 3 days
For travelers with limited time, we will introduce a three-day, two-night model route that balances key sights and experiences. Please use this as a reference when planning your own itinerary.
Day 1: Fukui City and Eiheiji Area
- Morning: After arriving at Fukui Station, travel to Katsuyama and visit the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
- Afternoon: Move to Eiheiji Temple and visit the temple grounds
- Night: Stay overnight at a hotel or inn in Fukui City
Day 2: Tojinbo and Awara Hot Springs
- Morning: Visit Tojinbo. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Sea of Japan on a sightseeing boat cruise and stroll along the cliffs.
- Afternoon: Move to Awara Onsen and experience hot spring bathing
- Evening: Enjoy a kaiseki meal made with local ingredients at a ryokan inn
Day 3: Echizen Coast or Washi Village
- Morning: Drive along the Echizen coast in a rental car or experience making washi paper at an Echizen washi paper workshop
- Afternoon: Return to Fukui Station and head home
Summary: Experience the original Japanese scenery and scenery that can only be found in Fukui
Fukui Prefecture is an area that combines the perfect balance of Japan's unique nature, history, culture, food, and experiences. Because it is not yet widely known overseas, there is much room for discovery as a tourist destination, making it a place where foreign travelers can encounter fresh surprises and excitement.
Measures to accommodate inbound tourists are also progressing steadily, with English signage, multilingual information centers, Wi-Fi, restaurants that consider food diversity, and foreigner-friendly accommodations, and the foundations are being laid for a safe and enjoyable trip.
In Fukui, you can not only visit famous spots, but also experience the deeper charms of Japan, such as its spirituality and coexistence with nature. This is an area that can provide unforgettable memories of Japan when showing guests from overseas. Why not add Fukui Prefecture, known as a "hidden land that only those who discover it can enjoy," to your next travel destination list?
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