Fukui Prefecture is located in central Japan, right next door to Kyoto and to the south of Kanazawa, making it a convenient place to stop by for a visit on the way to these two popular destinations.
Fukui offers vis
itors a rare opportunity to experience what Japan was like in different periods of the country’s rich history. Some major attractions include the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which is amongst the world’s three largest; the Eiheiji Temple, which was established during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) and is still used as a Zen Buddhist training site to this day; and the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Historic Ruins, the first site in Japan to recreate an entire town to portray everyday life during the ‘sengoku’ Warring States era (1467-1568).
In the Wakasa area in southern Fukui, you can admire the breathtaking scenery offered by the Sea of Japan and the deeply indented coastline, as well as the Satoyama Satomi Lake, a scene reminiscent of ancestral Japan. You can also take part in various activities to make the most of these natural blessings in the area!
One of the attractions we highly recommend is Tojinbo. Tojinbo is a place of scenic beauty where there is a kilometre-long stretch of serrated cliffs formed over time by coastal erosion from the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. It is said that the unique geological formation can only be seen in three places across the world. There is no fence on the site, so you can go up to the very edge of the cliff, which is sure to be a thrilling experience! There is also the option to enjoy a ride on a sightseeing boat to see the cliffs from the sea, another great way to take in the impressive panoramic views.
Fukui Prefecture is also well-known for being the origin of the Wakasa-nuri lacquered chopsticks, which have been designated as works of national traditional crafts by the Government of Japan. Obama City, in the south of Fukui, is responsible for 80% of the lacquered chopsticks production in Japan. We would love for you to partake in a Wakasa-nuri polishing workshop while you are in the area! To make a pair of the beautiful lacquered chopsticks, the idea is to polish them with sandpaper so that the eggshells, seashells, gold leaves and other ornaments buried in the multiple layers of lacquer appear on the surface to form a lovely pattern, creating every time a finished product that is unique in the world.
We can’t wait for you to come and experience the pristine nature and traditional Japanese culture on offer in Fukui Prefecture once the border restrictions have been lifted between Australia/New Zealand and Japan!
