Fukui and Eiheiji

Fukui lies on the Sea of Japan coast, between Kanazawa and Kyoto, and became more connected to the rest of the country with the arrival of the Hokuriku shinkansen. The capital, also called Fukui, is a quiet city with the Asuwa River and its cherry trees, the Yokokan garden of the former lords, and dinosaur statues in the station square—a reminder of the fossils found in the prefecture.

In the mountains to the east, Eihei-ji is one of the two main monasteries of the Sōtō Zen school, founded in 1244 by the master Dōgen. The halls, linked by wooden corridors, climb the slope among enormous cedars, and monks in training follow a strict routine that visitors can observe closely. Further on, in Katsuyama, the Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to these animals.

Near the capital, the Ichijodani ruins preserve the city of the Asakura, lords of Echizen for about a century until it was destroyed by Oda Nobunaga in 1573; the site has gardens, excavated streets and a reconstructed section. To the north, Maruoka Castle retains an original Edo-period keep that was never replaced with a replica, and on the Sakai coast the Tojinbo cliffs, made of columnar rock, plunge directly into the sea.

Fukui’s table features Echizen crab in winter, soba with grated daikon, katsudon with sauce, and sesame tofu served on the path to Eihei-ji. The prefecture is also known for producing eyeglass frames, knives and handmade paper.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Fukui, Eiheiji.