Name: Discovering MORE of Fukui | Overnight Trip Itinerary
Uploaded: 2025-06-18T10:21:14.000Z
Duration: 11 min 42 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

Dinosaurs, breathtaking landscapes, atmospheric temples and shrines, and an abundance of delicious food.

These are the things that Fukui has to offer.

Participle clauses

Located between Tokyo and Kyoto along the Sea of Japan, it is a destination not yet as well-known by international tourists as Kanazawa, its popular regional rival.

In March 2024, Fukui City was made more accessible thanks to the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, connecting it with Tokyo in just three hours.

On my previous trip, I saw centuries-old ruins, ate my weight in crab, the local delicacy, and visited one of the world's top dinosaur museums.

This time, on my way to Kyoto, I'll make an overnight stopover in Fukui for two days to check out other natural and popular attractions in and around the city.

Arriving via the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo, I alight at Awara Onsen and jump on a bus to the rugged coast of Tojinbo, then make my way to central Fukui by bus and train, and check into my accommodation before going on a hunt for some tasty local specialties.

On day two, I enjoy a stroll around the Asuwa River not far from my hotel, then take a train and taxi to explore the grounds of one of the region's most atmospheric shrines, and finally, head back to the station to continue on to Kyoto.

So join me, Raina Ong, staff writer for japan-guide.com, as I return to Fukui for an overnight trip taking in its natural beauties.

Stretching over a kilometre along the coast are the rugged cliffs of Tojinbo, made up of columnar joints created by volcanic eruptions about 12 to 13 million years ago.

Over time, seismic activities and wave action carved out a rocky coastline, creating towering cliffs of up to 25 metres.

Upon arriving, one thing I notice immediately is the visitors walking right up to the edge of the cliffs.

Now this is not for the faint-hearted or those with a fear of heights, but today, I'm feeling adventurous.

You definitely want to be careful when you're walking on these cliffs, otherwise you might end up like the monk Tojinbo, after which this area is named, and who legend says fell to his untimely death here.

I'm going to take my time and be careful.

Another way to admire the rugged cliffs from up close is to take part in a sightseeing boat cruise.

However, boats do not operate when the waters are agitated like today.

I get to experience the powerful winter phase of the Sea of Japan, which is known to be rough and stormy in the colder months.

Leaving Tojinbo behind, it's time to head to central Fukui and check into my accommodation for the night.

More dinosaur fossils were found in Fukui than anywhere else in Japan, and the city fully embraces its dinosaur kingdom image.

As a dinosaur fan, I couldn't be more excited.

I'm always really happy to come to Fukui because why would I not be when there's so many dinosaurs just outside the station?

And tonight, I'll be staying at this hotel over here.

Conveniently located right next to the station is the Courtyard Fukui, which opened in March 2024, coinciding with the opening of the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga.

Boasting spacious rooms with ample facilities, the modern hotel is also one of the tallest buildings in Fukui City.

For dinner, I head to Minie on the ground floor of my hotel.

The one-stop shop for all things Fukui contains restaurants, a curated souvenir supermarket, pop-up shops, and a local microbrewery which catches my eye.

Created by two friends from Fukui, our brewing's craft beer is made on location in Minie.

This beer that I've ordered came recommended because it won the gold prize in the international beer competition.

Now it's made with local Fukui rice and I'm going to give it a try.

Tastes like melons, it's got this sweet and clean aftertaste.

For part one of my dinner tonight, I've got Echizen Soba.

Now, Echizen Soba comes with grated radish, shaved bonito flakes, as well as thinly sliced spring onions.

And the one I've got today comes with grilled mackerel, which is another Fukui specialty.

Now, when I'm on a trip, I enjoy sampling as many local delicacies as possible.

And I've got just enough space for one last spot before calling it a night.

In addition to ordering the main dishes here at Kaketsuke, you can also order the sake pairing set that comes with small dishes that change every day.

Everything I'm drinking today tastes like fruit.

As the sun rises over the city, I take a stroll along the banks of the Asuwa River.

The Asuwagawa Riverside is a nice place for a stroll and the locals use it for their morning exercise or commuting to work.

Now come spring, the cherry trees on my left and right transform the entire riverside into a sakura wonderland like this.

From the riverside, my walking route continues into the residential area and up a nice flight of stairs towards Asuwa Shrine.

The shrine is known for its centuries-old weeping cherry tree.

On my way back to the hotel, I stop by a traditional sweet shop in the area, famous for Fukunone, which is made up of two layers of mochi rice cake sandwiched with fluffy sponge cake.

It's lighter than you think and very Moorish.

Another popular Fukui traditional sweet that is only sold in winter is Mizuyokan.

Think of it as a lightweight jelly-like sweet red bean pastry.

It has a rich taste and it is best served chilled.

Fueled by tasty sweets, it's time to hop on a train and taxi to Heisenji Hakusan Shrine, one of the region's most atmospheric shrines.

Hakusan is ranked as one of Japan's three most sacred mountains, alongside Mount Fuji and Tateyama.

Heisenji Hakusan Shrine was formerly a temple founded in 717 by a monk from the region.

Legend has it that he was praying by this pond when the goddess of Hakusan appeared and showed him the way to the summit of the mountain.

It's hard to believe, but this calm, unmanned and serene forest used to be a huge temple complex with thousands of monks living within the grounds.

This offering hall that you can see behind me was built in the mid-19th century and its original, which burned two centuries before, was said to be one of the largest in the country.

And its foundation stones still remain to be seen on the left and right.

This is one of the most famous shrines in Japan.

With my exploration of the shrine grounds over, it's time to head back to Fukui Station and continue on with my journey towards Kyoto.

Thanks for joining me on this trip to Fukui.

I hope this video has been enjoyable and perhaps even inspired some ideas should you decide to plan a trip to Japan.

For more information about this trip or to watch another video, click the links on the screen now or head over to japan-guide.com your comprehensive, up-to-date travel guide first-hand from Japan.

Be sure to subscribe and click the notification bell for more videos about Japan.

Subtitles ListPlay Video

Discovering MORE of Fukui | Overnight Trip Itinerary

stretch

fuel

admire

abundance