Tucked along the Sea of Japan coast, Fukui Prefecture is one of those rare corners of Japan where world-class attractions hide in plain sight. A dinosaur museum that ranks among the finest on earth, columnar basalt cliffs plunging into turquoise waters, a 13th-century Zen monastery buried in ancient cedar forest — and almost no international crowds. With the Hokuriku Shinkansen now extending to Tsuruga, Fukui has never been more accessible from Tokyo and Osaka. This summer, the prefecture comes alive with fireworks over the Echizen coast, cool mountain retreats, and some of the freshest seafood on the Sea of Japan.
Tojinbo: Where the Earth Splits Open
On the northwestern coast of Fukui, the Tojinbo cliffs rise like broken organ pipes from the sea. These columnar basalt formations — stretching roughly a kilometer along the shore — are a designated National Natural Monument and one of only three such geological formations in the world at this scale. In summer, the deep blue of the Sea of Japan contrasts dramatically with the warm rust and grey of the rock faces. Walk the clifftop path for vertigo-inducing views, or take a sightseeing boat from the harbor below to see the pillars from sea level. The adjacent Oshima Island, reachable by a short bridge, offers a quieter vantage point with a Shinto shrine perched at its tip. Sunset here, when the cliffs glow amber against the darkening sea, is unforgettable.
Getting there: From Fukui Station, take the Keifuku Bus (Tojinbo Line) for about 80 minutes directly to the cliffs. If you’re coming from Awara Onsen, the ride is around 30 minutes.
Eiheiji: Walking Into a Living Monastery
Deep in the mountains southeast of Fukui City, Eiheiji is one of the two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism, founded in 1244 by the monk Dogen. Unlike many of Japan’s temple attractions, Eiheiji is not a museum — it is an active training monastery where over a hundred monks live, meditate, and practice. Visitors walk through covered corridors connecting more than 70 halls and buildings, all set beneath towering 700-year-old cedars. In summer, the forest canopy keeps the temple grounds noticeably cooler than the plains below, and the sound of cicadas fills the green silence between the wooden halls.
The temple offers zazen (seated meditation) sessions for visitors, and overnight stays (sanro taiken) where you follow the monks’ schedule — rising before dawn, eating in silence, and sitting in meditation. Even a day visit is enough to feel the weight and calm of nearly eight centuries of continuous practice.
Getting there: From Fukui Station, take the Keifuku Bus bound for Eiheiji (about 30 minutes). The temple is a short walk from the bus stop.
Echizen Coast Summer Fireworks
Every July, the Echizen coast hosts one of Fukui’s most spectacular summer events: a grand fireworks display launched over the harbor. Thousands of shells burst above the dark Sea of Japan, their colors reflected in the water below. The seaside setting means you can spread a blanket on the beach or the grassy embankment and watch the show without the crushing crowds of Tokyo’s major displays. Local food stalls line the waterfront, serving grilled squid, yakisoba, and shaved ice.
Tip: Arrive early to claim a spot near the breakwater. The fireworks are best viewed from the beach areas south of the harbor.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
In the mountain town of Katsuyama, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is consistently rated one of the top three dinosaur museums in the world. Its silver dome rises from the hillside like a landed spacecraft, and inside you’ll find over 50 complete dinosaur skeletons — including the Fukuiraptor and Fukuisaurus, species first discovered in this very region. The museum underwent a major expansion and renovation, adding new interactive exhibits and an outdoor fieldwork experience where visitors can crack open real fossils. For families traveling with children, this alone is worth the trip to Fukui.
Getting there: From Fukui Station, take the Echizen Railway to Katsuyama Station (about 60 minutes), then a community bus or taxi to the museum (10 minutes).
Maruoka Castle and the Oldest Stone Walls
About 30 minutes northeast of Fukui City, Maruoka Castle is believed to house one of Japan’s twelve surviving original castle keeps. Though modest in size compared to Himeji or Matsumoto, its weathered stone walls and wooden tower have a raw, unrestored beauty. In summer, the surrounding park is lush and green, and the hilltop position catches the breeze. The castle’s unusual stone-tiled roof — designed to withstand heavy Hokuriku snowfall — sets it apart from any other castle in the country.
Awara Onsen: A Hot Spring Base Camp
If you’re spending more than a day in Fukui, consider basing yourself at Awara Onsen, a hot spring resort town conveniently located between Fukui City and the coast. Many ryokan here offer outdoor baths (rotenburo) surrounded by gardens, and the town serves as an excellent base for day trips to Tojinbo (30 minutes by bus) and Eiheiji (about an hour). Summer evenings in Awara are quiet and cool, the sort of unhurried pace that larger resort towns have long since lost.
What to Eat
Fukui’s signature summer dish is Echizen oroshi soba — cold buckwheat noodles topped with grated daikon radish, bonito flakes, and a splash of soy sauce. Simple, sharp, and perfect for hot weather. The prefecture is also famous for its sauce katsudon — a pork cutlet served over rice and drenched in a tangy Worcestershire-style sauce rather than the egg-topped version found elsewhere in Japan. Along the coast, fresh squid and iwashi (sardines) are grilled right at the harbor stalls during summer festivals.
Planning Your Visit
The Hokuriku Shinkansen now runs from Tokyo to Tsuruga in under three hours, with connections to Fukui City by limited express (about 20 minutes). From Osaka or Kyoto, the Thunderbird limited express reaches Tsuruga in about 80 minutes. The Japan Rail Pass covers both routes. A two-day itinerary might pair Tojinbo and Awara Onsen on day one with Eiheiji and the Dinosaur Museum on day two, though you could easily spend longer exploring the quiet fishing villages and hidden coves along the Echizen coast. Summer temperatures in Fukui are warm but less extreme than Tokyo or Osaka, and the sea breeze along the coast makes the heat manageable.
Image: Tojinbo cliffs, Fukui Prefecture, CC BY 2.0, by Raita Futo, via Wikimedia Commons
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