When to travel?
Sunshine during summer is quite long, which is contrary to during winter days. It snows a lot during winter with many cloudy days, especially northern part of the prefecture.
Best season: Apr-Oct
Snow activity: mid Dec-Mar
Cherry blossoms: Apr
Foliage: end of Oct-Nov
Events / Festivals
Jan: Echizen Banzai (越前万歳), Echizen 越前
Feb: Katsuyama Sagicho (勝山左義長), Katsuyama 勝山
Mar: Omizu Okuri (お水送り), Obama 小浜
Apr: King’s dance (王の舞), Wakasa 若狭
Touristic spots
Capital city: Fukui (福井)
The capital is the least populated city within Hokuriku prefectures now, but the city was once flourished as one of the richest prefectures in Edo period. Many entertainers moved to the city, which has raised brilliant culture in the city.
Tsuruga (敦賀)
Tsuruga is the second largest city of Fukui, and there are some historical monuments to see.
Tojinbo Cape (東尋坊)
Tojinbo is a place where a panoramic view from the very end of a cape can be enjoyed. It is one of the most-known places in Fukui. A legend says that the cape was named after a bad Buddhist monk, Tojinbo. Awara Hot spring (芦原温泉) is also close by.
Eiheiji temple (永平寺)
This is the top temple for one of the Buddhist denominations, Soto shu (曹洞宗). Soto shu is known as the strictest denomination of the Buddhism, and people come to this temple to become monks. The training is so strict; countless restrictions and rules, even the table manner. For some of the non-Japanese people, they may even think that the Buddhism is like a Philosophy, however, this is the place that we can all come to agree that the Buddhism is a religion.
Sotomo (蘇洞門)
Sotomo is another viewpoint on the coast of Fukui. There are several interestingly shaped rocks, and we can watch them closely by riding on a ferry. The place was chosen as Japan’s 31 most beautiful places by CNN in 2015.
Mikata Goko Lakes (三方五湖)
They are five lakes which are all connected to each other. The view from the mountain is amazing. It is nominated as the Important Wetland by UNESCO.