Japan is not a nation that disregards beauty. For high-rise city enterprises, many people know to travel to Tokyo and Osaka. But when you follow your curiosity and delve a little farther, you’ll find more beauty, much like fossils and riches.
Fukui, a prefecture west of Tokyo, offers a wealth of attractions that are all easily accessible by car, making it the ideal destination for a quick getaway. A three-hour Shinkansen ride from Tokyo Station to Fukui Station makes exploring Fukui simple. For convenient access to all of the prefecture’s landmarks, book a hotel close to Fukui’s core.
Fukui is home to one of Japan’s legendary blade villages, a tranquil temple, and a world-renowned dinosaur museum with displays that will leave you in awe. Join us as we take you through some of the spectacles Fukui has in store for your next vacation!

Photo courtesy of Enjoy Fukui
Takefu Knife Village
Visit a one-of-a-kind interactive tour through history at the Takefu Knife Village. When swordsmith Chiyozuru Kuniyasu set out to forge blades, he started his smithy in what is now Echizen, with hopes that his swords would be used as symbols of samurai culture. Today, the smithies forge knives using traditional Japanese methods, preserving centuries of craftsmanship with every blade.
To get to Takefu Knife Village, take a car 30 minutes south from Fukui Station.

Photo courtesy of Enjoy Fukui
Megane Museum
Dive deeper into Japan’s unmatched craftsmanship at the Megane Museum of Glasses. Fukui’s Sabae City is well-known for producing most of the country’s glasses frames, associated with expertise and artisanship. Given their history with the craft, the museum is populated with displays of the old machines used to make eyewear. Be sure to visit the gift shop for souvenirs, or try your hand at making your own pair of glasses to take home through the museum’s workshop.
Take the 15-minute train to Sabae Station, where the museum is a 15-minute walk away. Alternatively, you may take a 30-minute car from Fukui Station to get there.

Photo courtesy of Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
For a more child-friendly option, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum boasts large displays of dinosaur skeletons tightly packed in each room. Housing 80% of Japan’s fossils, Fukui was instrumental in advancing the country’s study of paleontology. See one of the world’s largest and most famous collection of fossils, it’s fun for the whole family.
The easiest route to the museum is via car, 40 minutes east of Fukui Station.

Photo courtesy of Fuku-e
Echizen Ono “Castle in the Sky”
From October to late April, given the right weather conditions, jump at the opportunity to witness this rare phenomenon with your own eyes. When the stars align, few sights rival Echizen Ono, appropriately dubbed “Castle in the Sky”, a castle on a mountain seemingly floating atop a sea of clouds. This breathtaking spectacle draws photographers and sightseers alike, eager to capture its ethereal beauty.
With Fukui Station as the starting point, take a 15-minute ride via JR Etsumi Hokusen or Kyofuku Bus to Echizen-Ono Station. From there, take a 30-minute walk or 15-minute bus ride to the castle.

Photo courtesy of Fuku-e
Yokokan Garden
With every piece of flora seemingly chosen by an artist for its perfection, the Yokokan Garden blankets itself in an aura of serenity–a picture-perfect garden that expels all stress. The centerpiece is a traditional Japanese villa, built to replicate houses from the Edo period. The villa’s rooms are open to visitors, so take the opportunity to admire the minimalist craftsmanship set against the still ponds.
The garden is just a quick car or train ride from Fukui Station, or a 10-minute walk north if you’re looking to get some steps in.
Because its sites are so close to one another, Fukui is a veritable gold mine of discoveries. Every new location in the prefecture satisfies uncontrolled curiosity and astonishment, thanks to its exclusive and thrilling excursions and abundance of museums.
Take the less-traveled route and explore further to discover the wonders that history has left behind for your upcoming trip. It’s time to explore Fukui.