Japan is not a country where beauty is overlooked. Many know to visit Tokyo and Osaka for high-rise city ventures. But, much like fossils and treasure, there is more beauty to be uncovered when you give into your curiosity and dig a little deeper.
West of Tokyo lies Fukui, a prefecture with all its wonders just a ride away from each other, making for a perfect vacation with lots to see in just a few days. Discovering Fukui is as easy as taking a three-hour Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Fukui Station. Check in to a hotel near Fukui’s center for easy access to all of the prefecture’s landmarks.
Fukui is home to one of Japan’s legendary blade villages, a tranquil temple, and a world-renowned dinosaur museum with displays that will leave you in awe. Join us as we take you through some of the spectacles Fukui has in store for your next vacation!
Takefu Knife Village
Visit a one-of-a-kind interactive tour through history at the Takefu Knife Village. When swordsmith Chiyozuru Kuniyasu set out to forge blades, he started his smithy in what is now Echizen, with hopes that his swords would be used as symbols of samurai culture. Today, the smithies forge knives using traditional Japanese methods, preserving centuries of craftsmanship with every blade.
To get to Takefu Knife Village, take a car 30 minutes south from Fukui Station.
Megane Museum
Dive deeper into Japan’s unmatched craftsmanship at the Megane Museum of Glasses. Fukui’s Sabae City is well-known for producing most of the country’s glasses frames, associated with expertise and artisanship. Given their history with the craft, the museum is populated with displays of the old machines used to make eyewear. Be sure to visit the gift shop for souvenirs, or try your hand at making your own pair of glasses to take home through the museum’s workshop.
Take the 15-minute train to Sabae Station, where the museum is a 15-minute walk away. Alternatively, you may take a 30-minute car from Fukui Station to get there.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
For a more child-friendly option, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum boasts large displays of dinosaur skeletons tightly packed in each room. Housing 80% of Japan’s fossils, Fukui was instrumental in advancing the country’s study of paleontology. See one of the world’s largest and most famous collection of fossils, it’s fun for the whole family.
The easiest route to the museum is via car, 40 minutes east of Fukui Station.
Echizen Ono “Castle in the Sky”
From October to late April, given the right weather conditions, jump at the opportunity to witness this rare phenomenon with your own eyes. When the stars align, few sights rival Echizen Ono, appropriately dubbed “Castle in the Sky”, a castle on a mountain seemingly floating atop a sea of clouds. This breathtaking spectacle draws photographers and sightseers alike, eager to capture its ethereal beauty.
With Fukui Station as the starting point, take a 15-minute ride via JR Etsumi Hokusen or Kyofuku Bus to Echizen-Ono Station. From there, take a 30-minute walk or 15-minute bus ride to the castle.
Yokokan Garden
With every piece of flora seemingly chosen by an artist for its perfection, the Yokokan Garden blankets itself in an aura of serenity–a picture-perfect garden that expels all stress. The centerpiece is a traditional Japanese villa, built to replicate houses from the Edo period. The villa’s rooms are open to visitors, so take the opportunity to admire the minimalist craftsmanship set against the still ponds.
The garden is just a quick car or train ride from Fukui Station, or a 10-minute walk north if you’re looking to get some steps in.
With its landmarks situated in close proximity to one another, Fukui proves itself to be a treasure trove of discovery. From its exclusive and exciting tours to museums galore, taking a trip to the prefecture rewards unbridled curiosity and wonder with every new spot.
For your next vacation, take the road less traveled and dig deeper to find the marvels that history left behind. Fukui is waiting to be explored.