JR West Japan and JR East Japan recently announced that the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which connects Kanazawa City to Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture, will open on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen project, the travel time from Tokyo to Fukui will be reduced by approximately 30 minutes compared to the current time required for passengers to transfer between the Tokaido Shinkansen and traditional express trains. The fastest express train will take just 2 hours and 51 minutes.
Currently, Fukui is actively preparing for the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. This time, Japan Gathered presents some of the popular local tourist attractions in Fukui.
First Savor the "Daihonzan Eiheiji" and the Local Specialty Soba Noodles
Among the numerous tourist attractions in Fukui Prefecture, the first recommendation is "Eiheiji Temple," located in Eiheiji Town. The name of this temple is well-known throughout Japan, and it may become one of your favorite destinations when traveling to Fukui.
The grand scale of the temple and the lively temple town make it a fantastic tourist destination that will keep you engaged throughout your visit.
Inside the temple, you can experience Zen meditation and admire the paintings on the temple hall's ceiling. More importantly, on the temple street extending outside the temple, you can enjoy shopping at souvenir shops and savor delicious food at dumpling and soba noodle shops.
- Daihonzan Eiheiji（大本山永平寺）
- Address: 5-15 Shihizume, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui Prefecture
- Access: Take the Kyoto Fukui Bus "Eiheiji-mae Direction" or "Eiheiji Direction" from the Eiheiji Port Station on the Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line, and get off at the last stop. It's about a 5-minute walk from there.
- Admission: Adults - 500 yen, Elementary and middle school students - 200 yen, Preschool children - Free
- Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Official Website: https://daihonzan-eiheiji.com/
Especially, the "Eiheiji Soba Kiwami (永平寺そば 極)" in the Monzen-machi area is a well-known restaurant. Fukui is renowned for its delicious soba noodles, and this restaurant is an excellent choice, located right in front of Eiheiji Temple.
- Eiheiji Soba Kiwami（永平寺そば 極）
- Address: 28-2 Shihizume, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui Prefecture
- Access: Directions: It's about a 1-minute walk in the direction of Eiheiji Temple from the "Eiheiji" bus stop.
- Admission: Adults - 500 yen, Elementary and middle school students - 200 yen, Preschool children - Free
- Opening Hours: 11:00-15:00 (LO14:30)
- Official Website: https://eiheiji-kiwami.jp/
Next, Visit the Mysterious "Heisenji Hakusan Shrine"
After Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple, we can explore the "Heisenji Hakusan Shrine（へいせんじはくさんじんじゃ）," which is located in Katsuyama City, in the same area as the famous Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, making it convenient to visit both places.
The history of this shrine is even older than that of Eiheiji Temple, dating back to the year 717 during the Nara period, as recorded in the Japanese encyclopedia (Shogakukan).
However, during the uprisings and rebellions in the Hokuriku region, such as Echizen and Kaga, the entire mountain was burned down, and only some religious buildings were reconstructed.
Due to the Meiji government's policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism, Hakusan Shrine remains within the precincts of Heisenji Temple. The roads and courtyards of the shrine are covered in moss, and in the morning, the dew on the moss glistens, creating a spectacular sight.
- Heisenji Hakusan Shrine（へいせんじはくさんじんじゃ）
- Address: Heisenji, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture
- Access: Take the Heisenji Line Bus from the "Katsuyama Station" on the Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line and get off at "Heisenji Hakusan Shrine-mae."
- Official Website: https://heisenji.jp/
The "Ashiyu" Experience at Ashihara Onsen Station
The next Fukui travel experience is the "Ashiyu" (foot bath) at Ashihara Onsen.
Ashihara Onsen is a famous hot spring destination in Fukui Prefecture. It also serves as a base for tourists heading to Tojinbo. At the entrance of the hot spring street (in front of the station) in Ashihara Onsen's Yumachi Square, there is a large foot bath (onsen yu) made entirely of oak wood and filled with natural hot spring water. Even non-tourists have the opportunity to casually soak their feet and enjoy the hot spring.
The opening hours from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM are quite appealing, and the area is well-lit at night, making it a popular spot for young people to chat and relax in the foot bath until late.
There's also a large food stall village marked by red lanterns on Yumachi Square in Ashihara Onsen. Whether you're staying in Ashihara Onsen or not, the foot bath is an experience worth trying.
- Ashihara Onsen "Ashiyu"
- Address: 1-203 Onsen, Ashihara City, Fukui Prefecture (Inside Yumachi Square, Ashihara Onsen)
- Access: About a 2-minute walk from Echizen Railway/Mikuni Awara Line "Ashihara Onsen Machi Station"
- Admission: Free
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Official Website: https://awara.info/
Related Article: Enjoy Japan Sea and Savor the Delicious Echizen Crab! 10 Recommended Hot Spring Resorts In Fukui Prefecture!
Gigantic Nostalgic 3D Model "Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse（敦賀赤レンガ倉庫）”
The final part of the Fukui sightseeing experience is the gigantic nostalgic 3D model of Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse, located in Tsuruga, a port city in the southern part of Fukui (Hokuriku South).
Tsuruga is the terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension line scheduled for 2024. As a port city facing Tsuruga Bay on the Sea of Japan side, it has historically been a crucial land transportation hub on this side of Japan.
Popular tourist spots in Tsuruga include Kehi Jingu Shrine, Kehi Pine Beach, and Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse.
The 3D model of Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse stretches a total length of 27 meters with a maximum depth of 7.5 meters, recreating the streetscape of the international port city of Tsuruga. The 27 meters is also the length of the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale.
There are many interesting aspects to this 3D model. If you take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to the terminus in Tsuruga, don't just stop at Kehi Pine Beach and Kehi Jingu Shrine—remember to visit Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse as well.
- Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse（敦賀赤レンガ倉庫）
- Address: 4-1 Kanazaki-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture
- Access: About a 25-minute walk from JR West Japan Tsuruga Station
- Admission: Adult: 400 yen, Elementary school students and below: 200 yen, Children under 3 years old are free
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM (North Building - 3D Model Museum: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Last admission at 5:00 PM)
- Closed Days: Wednesdays, and from December 30 to January 2
- Official Website: https://tsuruga-akarenga.jp/
