History / Culture / Tour Spots in Fukui Area

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Maruoka Castle (Kasumigajo)

4.0

351 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Sakaishi Maruokachoukasumichou 1-59

This castle on a hill, located in Maruoka Town of Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, was built by Shibata Katsuie’s nephew Shibata Katsutoyo in 1576. Nowadays, only two-story and three-roofed castle tower (tenshukaku) remains, and it was registered as Important Cultural Properties in 1950. It is the oldest tenshukaku in existence in the country, and about 400 cherry trees were planted around it as part of the surrounding Kasumigajo Park. A light-up event is held when the cherry blossoms bloom, giving the tower an ethereal look.

This castle ranks 30th of the thousands of Japanese ancient castles. However there was nothing much to see. It was destroyed in an earthquake and it was rebuilt after that. The ticket set including...
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukui Pref. Katsuyamashi Murokochou Terao 51-11 Toyama dinosaur forest

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is a specialist geology and paleontology museum, focused particularly on dinosaurs, which is located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture (an area where many dinosaur fossils have been found). More than 40 complete dinosaur skeletons are on display, enabling visitors to get a feel for just how big dinosaurs were. The Museum also has large-scale dioramas and a computer graphics theatre that recreate the type of prehistoric forest in which dinosaurs lived, giving visitors a sense of having “traveled back in time.” Both adults and children can enjoy learning about the history of the Earth through the dinosaurs’ story.
Kehi-jingu Shrine

4.0

190 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Tsurugashi Akebonochou 11-68

Location of the scenic spots from “Narrow Road to the Interior”, Kehi-jingu Shrine is a shrine of Echizen serving the Hokuriku Road and is located in Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture. The primary god worshipped there is Izasawake-no-mikoto, who oversees food, and has long been worshipped as a god for protecting all of life (food, shelter, clothing), particularly in seafaring, and fishing. There are many sites to see, such as the large torii gate (Important Cultural Property), the “old man” Noh masks, Sarutahiko masks (both Cultural Properties) and the eucalyptus trees (Natural Monuments for Tsuruga City). Approximately 10 minutes via Tsuruga Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

Kehi Shrine, which is the first shrine of Echizen (actual Fukui prefecture), is the main tourist attraction in Tsuruga. If you go to Tsuruga, you shouldn’t miss this shrine. The precinct is vast and...
Heisenji Temple Hakusan Shrine

4.5

126 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Katsuyama-shi Heisenjicho Heisenji 56-63

A temple in Heisenji-cho, Katsuyama City. It was founded in 717 CE as a location to worship the holy mountain, Mt. Hakusan. By the time of the warring states period it had swelled into a massive holy city housing 8000 monks. Though prosperous the monastery was then destroyed during the Ikko-Ikki Jodo Shinshu Buddhist uprising. Remnants of the massive temple grounds still remain and the area has been designated a national historic site called the Old Temple Grounds of the Hakusan Heisenji Temple. It is also called the Kokedera or Moss Temple because of the beautiful scenery of the grounds completely covered in moss.

Beautiful secluded and most zen shrine in the whole of japan. When I visited literally nobody was there which made it more beautiful.
Eihei-ji Temple

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Yoshidaguneiheijichou Shihi 10-5

A Soto school Buddhist temple located in Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida District, Fukui which is also the head temple of over 15 thousand branch temples scattered across Japan. The temple was founded as a meditation hall by Dogen in 1244. The grounds are enclosed by ancient Japanese cedars over 600 years old and are dotted with over 70 structures centering around a complete seven-structure temple compound. Some of the temple’s many highlights include numerous delicate sculptures housed in various buildings around the grounds; a stunning decorated ceiling inlaid with 230 images; and an original copy of the “Fukan zazengi” which is registered as a National Treasure and kept in the temple’s treasure house.
Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum

4.5

71 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Tsurugashi Kanegasakichou 1-44-1

This museum is a valuable resource which houses exhibits relating to the landing of Jewish refugees escaping from the Nazi regime in Germany and Polish orphans rescued from Siberia clutching “Visas for Life” issued by Chiune Sugihara, the acting Japanese Consul in Kaunas, Lithuania. Visitors can hear recordings of Chiune Sugihara’s voice and see watches and visas left behind by the refugees among other things.

It is a newly opened museum, a MUST if in the area. It is not the small old museum they had before. It is an EXCELLENT museum, telling the story of the Jews who escaped certain death from Nazi...
Tsuruga Railway Museum (Former Tsuruga Port Station Building)

4.0

64 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Tsuruga-shi Minatomachi 1-25

A museum located within Kanegasaki Ryokuchi Park in Kanegasaki-cho, Tsuruga City. The building is a reproduction of the departure and arrival station for the Europe-Asia International Express that ran from Tokyo to Tsuruga Port. Inside the museum are exhibits on the history of Tsuruga's railways as well as actual railway materials and models.

Tsuruga was once a gateway to Europe, and people took a ship to Vladivostok from the terminal which was once located near this museum. That’s why Tsuruga was one of the first places where railroad...
Fukui Prefectural Children's Science Center - Angel Land Fukui

4.5

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukui Pref. Sakaishi Haruechouhigashitaroumaru 3-1

Angel Land Fukui, a complex that features a play building, a science building, a culture building and a local child hall as central facilities with various functions, is a place for learning about science while enjoying Hokuriku’s largest planetarium and space theater. It is visited by roughly 500,000 people every year. You can experience the latest technology in craftsmanship and manufacturing too. Approximately 16 minutes on foot from JR Harue Station.

First time to visit here in a few years. The outside play area is very large, with lots of different things for children to play on. Theres a small stream running through it into a pond, which had...
Fukui City History Museum

4.0

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukui Pref. Fukuishi Houei 3-12-1

This museum, which has a wealth of collections, including the Fukui City Shungaku Commemorative Collection, relating to the Fukui feudal domain and the Echizen Matsudaira Family, has a lot to see such as permanent exhibit rooms divided into 4 themes from pre-historic times up to the post-war recovery period as well as the Matsudaira Historical Records Room. Special exhibitions are also recommended as visitors can learn about the history of Japan and Asia while focusing on local history.

A small museum, but with many interesting exhibits, such as ancient burial tombs, and old swords and armour, but unfortunately there is no English explanation for the exhibits. Found the Japanese...
Kanegasakigu Shrine

3.5

44 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Tsurugashi Kanegasakichou 1-4

This shrine, famous for its Flower-Exchanging Festival held at the beginning of April each year, is popular as the shrine of love. Flower-Exchanging is thought to have begun around 1907. These days, the festival lasts 10 days and it is said that originally men and women who visited the shrine to see the cherry blossoms called out “Let’s exchange flowers.” to each other and exchanged small branches of blossoms to communicate their feelings.

This shrine, which was built after Meiji Restoration, is dedicated to two prices of Emperor Godaigo and other personages of the southern court. It is located on Mt. Kanegasaki, which is well known...
Miketsukuni Wakasa Obama Food Culture Museum

4.0

55 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Obamashi Kawasaki 3-4

Obama, which was the center of Miketsukuni, is a historic place where Wakasa seafood and salt were presented to the ancient Imperial Court and this museum was created as a place where people could come into contact with this history and culture and interact with other people. The museum is divided into sections to introduce the diet of this region with replicas of dishes such as Zoni (rice cake soup)—the Symbol of Japanese New Year Food, Traditional Events and Foods which introduce a year in the folklore treasure trove, Wakasa Obama, based on foods, and Miketsukuni Wakasa and Saba Kaido (the ancient mackerel route) which is Japan Heritage. A number of courses are also offered.

Everyone we spoke to in town was keen for us to go to this place. Clearly a lot of money and civic pride has been invested in it. The complex has a hot spring resort, a restaurant, a display of...
Fukui Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

4.0

32 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukui Pref. Fukuishi Omiya 2-19-15

The Fukui Prefectural Museum of Cultural History is a museum in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture that is dedicated to the history and industrial heritage of the Fukui region. The authentic artifacts on display and the section dedicated to the period from the mid-1950s through to the early 1970s are of particular interest. In the “Life in the Showa Period” corner, which recreates life in both rural communities and towns in that era, there is plenty to inspire nostalgia among visitors who remember those times, including a reconstruction of a traditional farmhouse and of a Dagashiya (traditional Japanese sweet shop). The lighting, sound effects and other aspects of the displays are changed with the seasons, further enhancing the experience for visitors to the Museum. The Museum is around 10 minutes’ drive from JR Fukui Station.

田原町駅から徒歩15分ほど。幾久公園内にある。建物は福井県立美術館と同様に佐藤武夫設計事務所の設計でBCS賞を受賞している。入館料は100円。展示室は2階にあり、「歴史ゾーン」(撮影不可)と「昭和のくらし」(撮影可)がある。「歴史ゾーン」では土器・青銅器・石棺から始まり、宗教、貨幣、産業などに関する資料を展示。最後の福井の鉄道に関するコーナーには昔の時刻表、タブレットを使用していた時の運票閉塞...
Katsuyama Castle Museum

3.5

38 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukui Pref. Katsuyamashi Heisenjichou Heisenji 85-26-1

Katsuyama Castle Museum is a museum in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, built in the style of a Tenshu (the main tower of a Japanese castle), which opened in 1992. The tower is 57.8 meters high, making it the tallest building of its kind in Japan. The building is intended to keep alive the memory of the castle that was the main seat of power of the Katsuyama Domain. Inside, the Museum has displays on the military equipment of Edo period Daimyos (feudal lords), textiles, folding screens decorated with paintings of battles, Qing Dynasty folk embroidery from the Zhongyuan (North China Plain) region, Japanese books from the early modern era, etc. From the observation deck on the top storey, visitors can view the city of Katsuyama, which has a history going back to the Paleolithic era, and its beautiful scenery which has led to the area being designated as the Katsuyama Geopark.

Apparently this is the tallest castle in Japan? Himeji looks taller to me. Either way, this castle is beautiful even though its fairly new. I came later in the day so had no chance to see the...
Echizengani Museum

4.0

22 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukui Pref. Nyugunechizenchou Kuriya 71-324-1

This museum, which was reopened after renovations in 2016, is a place where you can encounter a new kind of “crab culture.” In this hands-on facility, visitors can have fun and learn about Echizen crabs and the mysteries of the Sea of Japan. The facility is divided into seven zones including the Crab Lab where you can study the different kinds of crabs and the structure of their bodies and the Under-sea Tunnel where you can see the different fish of the seasons off the Echizen coast.

B級スポットだろうと侮っていましたが本格的なミュージアムでした。入口にある越前ガニのトリックアート的な展示からぐいぐいと越前ガニの世界に引き寄せられ退館するころにはすっかり越前ガニの虜に。おそるべし越前ガニ。食べるのはもちろんですが見るだけでも十分楽しませてくれます。残念ながら館内に試食コーナーなどはありません。花より団子なかたは諦めてください。この施設を通してカニの不思議な生態や漁の仕方や禁...
Former Morita Bank Headquarters

4.0

40 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Sakai-shi Mikunicho Minamihonmachi 3-3-26

A historical building in Minamihonmachi 3-Chome, Mikuni-cho, Sakai City. It was built in 1920 as the bank headquarters for the local Morita family who made a fortune in the shipping business. It is the oldest reinforced concrete building remaining in the prefecture and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

三国港の繁栄した時代の森田家の銀行本店。入場は無料で二階から営業部分が見渡せる。オススメな建物です。
Myotsuji Temple

4.5

23 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Obamashi Monzen 5-21

This temple, famous for its late Heian period National Important Cultural Properties such as the wooden standing statues of Gozanze Myo-o, Jinja Daisho and Acalanatha among others, is also a valuable historical structure including the main hall and the three-storied pagoda, National Treasures built in the middle of the Kamakura period. The pagoda in particular is a typical Kamakura structure, notable for its overall balance and the precision of its entablature.

山の中にひっそりと佇むお寺で坂上田村麻呂の創建と伝わる真言宗のお寺です。福井県に2つある国宝がこちらの本堂と三重塔で、鎌倉時代の豪快で力強さを感じる建築物です。新緑の中で三重塔の美しさが引き立っていました。本堂内で仏像の説明もしていただけ、こちらの薬師如来の両脇が日光月光でないことなど興味深いお話を聞くことができました。
Hakusan Heisanji Historical Museum Mahoroba

3.5

26 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Katsuyama-shi Heisenjicho Heisenji Dai66-go 2-12

最初に立ち寄ることでまだ発掘が続く平泉寺全貌、白山信仰なども知ることができます。日本海にある崖で有名な、東尋坊の名前が付くことになった一説も、ここで初めて知りました。地道な発掘を続けているが、まだまだ未解明なものも多く、そうとう広範囲な境内だったということが理解できます。
Keya Kurotatsu Shrine

4.0

15 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Fukuishi Keya 3-8-1

Located in Keya, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, this old shrine is beloved by locals as “Kurotatsu-san.” Said to have been built in Kurotatsu Town as a water deity for guarding Kuzuryu River, it receives adoration as one of Japan’s old four Daimyojin. It’s believed to be useful for warding off bad fortune, improving vitality, pregnancy, safe birth, and success in business. Recently, it’s popular as a power spot. The precincts feature many spots for improving fortune, like the “gankake ishi” or the “kounno nadeishi.”

越前藩の藩祖松平秀康が松平家の祈願所としたことからか神紋は三葉葵。名前からも分かる通り水を司る神社。駐車場は狭くて急な坂を上ったところに数台分がある。こじんまりとした神社で地元の方が多く参拝されているようだ。御朱印は見開きで、ぎょろっと目をむく竜がいる。三葉葵の箔押しがあってなかなか面白い。
Tsurugi Shrine

4.0

23 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukui Pref. Nyugunechizenchou Ota 113-1

This shrine, which has been fervently worshipped by many people including the Imperial Court and revered as a sacred prayer ground since the Nara period, is located in the hometown of the Oda Nobunaga’s ancestors who attended the shrine, the 2nd highest ranked in Echizen Province, as Shinto priests and Echizen Ota no Sho Manor administrators and is famous as a shrine where Lord Oda worshipped the local deity. The main shrine, the auxiliary shrine and the main Oda shrine have all been designated as cultural properties by the prefecture.

越前国二之宮で、織田一族発祥の地と言われる神社です。御祭神は素戔嗚大神（すさのおのおおかみ）、気比大神（けひのおおかみ）、忍熊王（おしくまのみこ）です。一切の厄事災難を祓い清める神として尊崇されています。
Fukui City Art Museum

4.0

15 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukui Fukui-shi Geba 3-1111

"This art museum is located inside Geba Central Park in Geba 3-Chome, Fukui City. It features a collection of works by the sculptor Hiroatsu Takata, who grew up in Fukui. The permanent exhibit, ""The World of Hiroatsu Takata,"" features some 80 sculptures and around 10 sketches. The museum also holds special exhibitions as well as workshops in which participants can try their hand at making a variety of objects."

The art museum is good, though can be expensive to get into the exhibits. Exhibits change regularly. It is attached to a great and large park, with fields, a fountain with paddling pool, and a big...

Fukui

Awara / Sakai Fukui Eihei-ji Temple / Ono / Katsuyama Echizen Tsuruga / Mikata Five Lakes Obama

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Fukui Areas

Northeast of Kyoto, the ancient Tojinbo Cliffs separate Fukui prefecture from the Sea of Japan in a stretch of land well worth exploring. Water sports and seaside delicacies are available in abundance as the spectacular rugged coastline flattens down into beaches to the west of the prefecture, while inland, Fukui is home to Zen Buddhist temples and historic ruins.