Echizen

Top Things to do

• Kehi-jingu Shrine

  4.0

  174 Reviews

  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.

• Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse

  3.5

  88 Reviews

  Fukui Pref. Tsurugashi Kanegasakichou 4-1

  The Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse was designed by a foreign engineer in 1905, and its North building, South building and brick walls were registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2009. It is a place to meet nostalgia and get a sense for the port atmosphere. You can enjoy Tsuruga history in the Diorama Building, fancy dining on Tsuruga seafood in the restaurant building, and strolls amid the sea breeze in the open garden. Seven minutes by car via Tsuruga Interchange on Hokuriku Expressway.

• Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum

  4.0

  67 Reviews

  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.

• Gotanjo-ji Temple

  4.0

  39 Reviews

  Fukui Pref. Echizenshi Shoudenchou 32-1-1

  A Soto Buddhist temple located in Shoden Town, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture which has come to be known as the “Cat Temple” after being featured frequently in television programs and other media. The temple takes care of stray, sick, and injured cats; spays and neuters strays; and helps cats find new homes; at any given time, dozens of cats are being taken care of on the temple grounds. The temple works with Fukui Prefecture health and welfare centers and also periodically holds events to help their cats find new homes. The temple is visited by countless cat-lovers from around the country.

• Tsuruga Railway Museum (Former Tsuruga Port Station Building)

  4.0

  57 Reviews

  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.

• Tsurugi Shrine

  4.0

  22 Reviews

  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.

• Takefu Knife Village

  4.0

  16 Reviews

  Fukui Pref. Echizenshi Yokawachou 22-91

  In 1979, a first for the nation’s cutlery industry, Echizen Uchihamono (cutlery) was designated as a Nationally Designated Traditional Craft, as it carries with it 700 years of history and tradition. At Takefu Knife Village, there are plant tours and short trial courses, so you have the opportunity to make a paperknife yourself with the help of a traditional artisan.

• Echizen Onsen Rotenburo Isaribi

  4.0

  28 Reviews

  Fukui Nyu-gun Echizencho Kuriya 71-335-1

  This day-use hot spring bathhouse attached to Roadside Station Echizen is located about a 50-minute drive from Sabae Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway. along National Routes 8, 365, and 305. It is comprised of two areas, the Kani no Yu and the Suisen no Yu, each equipped with characteristic outdoor baths and indoor baths. The two areas are rotated between the genders on the 15th of each month. All of its baths face the majestic Sea of Japan, allowing bathers to relax while enjoying views of the sunset, the starry night sky, or the lights of the fishing boats in the water. Its sodium hydrogen carbonate springs are said to help with conditions such as nerve pain and muscle soreness.

• Echizen Washi Village

  4.0

  24 Reviews

  Fukui Pref. Echizenshi Shinzaikechou 8-44 Papyrus hall

  With a long 1,500-year history and tradition, Echizen is the home of washi (Japanese paper) and of the Echizen Washi Village. This facility includes the “Paper & Culture Museum” —with lots of special, local washi products and history of Echizen washi—and the “Udatsu Paper & Craft Museum” —a reconstructed paper-making house where you can observe craftsman techniques firsthand. In the “Papyrus House,” you can try making washi paper, popular for toddlers and adults alike.