Built 130 years ago at the end of the late Edo period, Rikyuan has been recognized by Fukui Prefecture as a Traditional House of Fukui thanks to its gable architectural style, shikuya zukuri. Once inside, visitors can enjoy soba, thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, surrounded by nature in complete tranquility.

Before exploring the Historic Castle Town Ruins of the Ichijodani Asakura Clan, refuel with some delicious, freshly-made soba noodles.

The historic ruins of this castle town, which was under the control of the Ichijodani Asakura clan, are located in the town of Kidonouchi in Fukui. For 103 years, the Asakura clan ruled the area during the Sengoku period. The castle town was founded in 1471 and became a major cultural, military, and population center in Japan. However the town was burnt down in 1573 when Oda Nobunaga defeated the Asakura clan. In 1967, excavation began to reveal the whole layout of the town, including the house of the lord, samurai residences, temples, houses of merchants and craft workers, as well as the streets. Located at the ruins are partially restored Japanese gardens originating from the time of the Asakura clan, which offers visitors a hill-top view of Ichijodani Castle ruins, providing a scenic view of Fukui.

A castle town that was home to five generations of the Asakura family during Japan's Warring States period. This must-see location features a townscape with samurai residences, temples, artisan residences, and roads all excavated intact.

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world, and is the largest in Japan. The museum is located in Katsuyama City, which is the center of dinosaur research in Japan. The main floors exhibit more than 40 dinosaur skeletons, such as those of Fukuiraptors and Fukuisauruses, which were excavated nearby, as well as several life-size animatronic dinosaurs, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

One of the world's largest dinosaur museums. Its spacious interior is packed with fossils, specimens, and dioramas. Fun for the whole family!

Awara Hot Spring Resort, the most famous in Fukui Prefecture, is nestled between the mountains and the sea, surrounding visitors in a stunning natural setting. Each hotel at the Awara Hot Spring Resort offers spacious rooms, fancy gardens and open-air spas, and features hot springs with unique qualities and efficacies.

Each hot spring has a slightly different mineral content, providing a range of sensations. Perfect after a long day of sightseeing.

Tojinbo is a rugged cliff eroded by the violent waves on the coast of the Sea of Japan, located within Echizen-Kaga Quasi-National Park. The cliff is designated a Precious National Monument and stretches for over 1km. A rock pillar made of the columnar jointing of pyroxene andesite is the only one of its kind in Japan, and one of only three known in the whole world. One especially dynamic site is the lagoon featuring a 25m-height cliff called “Tojinbo Oike”, which can be seen from a pleasure boat, as well as from Tojinbo Tower. Come winter, you can observe the natural wonder that is nami-no-hana, the flowers of waves, which occur when waves are caught in the reefs and churned into bubbles that ferocious winds then fan up in to the air.

These rugged rock cliffs that stretch for over a kilometer are a sight to behold.

As the oldest remaining castle in Japan, Maruoka Castle is designated as one of Japan’s Important Cultural Properties and is also considered a valuable part of the history of architecture. It is located on a high hill above Maruoka Town. In 1948, the castle was destroyed by an earthquake, however it was reconstructed 1955, using 80% of the original building materials. Kasumiga Joh Park, with its 400 Yoshino cherry trees, surrounds the castle and has been selected as one of the top 100 most beautiful places for viewing cherry blossoms.

Check out the oldest standing castle keep in Japan! Also, the 400 Yoshino cherry trees there are stunning in spring!

Sachiya restaurant, known as the home of Eiheiji Zen Tofu, is found on top of a small hill at the entrance of Eiheiji Temple. Sachiya offers healthy dishes using tofu made in the morning from freshly squeezed soy milk, sesame tofu and seasonal vegetables. A particular recommendation is the 100% homemade tofu made from soy milk freshly squeezed from sachiyutaka, local soy beans. There’s also a variety of delicious tofu made at a local factory, soy milk desserts and tofu chocolate, which received the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Prize. Sachiya also offers a number of popular side dishes such as Shiraae, a soy and spinach specialty, and Tsukudani, soy milk skin.

Before entering Eiheiji, be sure to sample their tofu dishes.

Eiheiji Temple, meaning the "temple of eternal peace", is located deep in the mountains, close to Fukui City. Eiheiji Temple was founded in the 13th century by Dogen, a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher who established Soto, the largest of the three traditional sects of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Upon founding Eiheiji Temple, he devoted himself to training his followers in the perfection of Zen practice in every action of daily life. Even today, both priests and lay people devote themselves to his practice of zazen, sitting meditation. There is a disciplinary hall which gives visitors the chance to practice Zen meditation and stay to experience some of the ascetic disciplines of the monks.

Please feel the Zen spirit and the atmosphere through a zazen practice hall established in 1244 by Dogen Zenji, founder of the Soto school of Zen.