Fukui Itinerary:
2-Day Travel Guide

Fukui is a place many overseas travelers have never heard of. It’s often left out of the guidebooks, overshadowed by bigger names like Kyoto and Kanazawa. But maybe that’s exactly why I loved it. In Fukui, you don’t have to search for quiet streets or local flavors — they find you.

Over two slow, fulfilling days, I wandered through local craft workshops, walked along peaceful coastlines, soaked in onsen, and even found myself face-to-face with dinosaurs. And honestly? I left wondering why more people aren’t talking about this part of Japan.

One thing that made the trip surprisingly easy was the Have Fun in FUKUI Pass which covers local transport and entry to some of the region’s best spots.

Here’s exactly how I spent my time in Fukui — and why it deserves a spot on your next Japan itinerary.

If you're thinking about exploring Fukui Prefecture, the Have Fun in FUKUI Pass is honestly one of the easiest ways to do it. For just 3,000 yen, this pass covers Fukui’s top spots, local experiences, and transportation — all without the hassle of buying separate tickets.

The value easily adds up to much more than the price of the pass. If you're planning to spend a couple of days in Fukui, I highly recommend giving it a try.

With this pass, you can choose any 3 experiences from a great lineup of attractions, such as:

✔️ One-day unlimited Ticket for All Echizen Railway Lines
✔️ Dinosaur Museum Admission Ticket (permanent exhibition)
✔️ Awara Onsen "Mimatsu" One-day Bathing (including towel rental)
✔️ JR Rent-A-Car 2000 yen coupon
✔️ Soba Tour Coupon — valid at select soba restaurants
✔️ Other options like Maruoka Castle , Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, etc.

Purchase the pass online in advance (available at major travel agencies outside Japan. Please note that some travel agencies may not sell them).

After booking, you'll receive a PDF with QR code via email — just show them at each facility to redeem your tickets (find the redemption location for each spot here), rides, and coupons.

＊QR code are a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Incorporated.

ℹ️ Activate the pass anytime within 270 days of purchase.

ℹ️ Once you use your first QR code, you have 7 days to enjoy the rest of the experiences.

I arrived in Fukui from Osaka in just under two hours, but it felt like stepping into a completely different world. Before even leaving the station, I was greeted by countless dinosaur statues — a reminder that Fukui is called Dinosaur Kingdom for good reason.

First things first: lunch. I stopped by the 1F Information Center near the station to redeem my Soba Tour Coupon using the Tanoshii Fukui Pass. With four ¥300 vouchers in hand (worth ¥1,200 in total), I made my way to Amida Soba Fukunoiten and used one of them to enjoy my first bowl of Fukui’s famous soba.

You can't come to Fukui without trying Echizen Oroshi Soba, and Amida Soba Fukunoiten is one of the best places to experience it. I ordered the Oroshi Soba Sanmai (¥1,700, or ¥1,400 with a coupon), served with three different toppings: grated daikon radish, wasabi, and tororo (grated yam).

It wasn’t fancy or over-the-top — it felt like something a local grandmother would serve with quiet pride. Comforting, honest food that set the tone for the rest of the trip.

Next, I picked up my unlimited ride pass at Echizen Railway Fukui Station (show your pass at the ticket window) and boarded the train to Mikuni.

The trip took less than an hour, winding through a rural landscape still holding on to the last signs of winter.

I loved the retro design of the train seats — a bright electric blue! I found myself staring out the window, not thinking about anything in particular, just watching the scenery drift by.

After arriving at Mikuni Station, I walked to the town’s historic central street.

Mikuni is a small, atmospheric port town, best known today for its Mikuni Minato Festival, when handmade lanterns light up the streets.

I visited Itoya, a lantern workshop with over 200 years of history, led by third-generation owner Mariyah Kojima, one of Japan's rare female lantern artisans.

I joined a hands-on lantern-making experience, carefully attaching Echizen washi paper to the frame and decorating it with Fukui-themed stamps. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, the instructions are simple, and the staff are incredibly helpful.

By the end, I had a glowing handmade lantern — and a deeper connection to Fukui’s craft traditions.

After exploring Mikuni’s retro streets, I made my way to Ninohama Coast. It’s a bit far from the station, so renting a bike or grabbing a taxi is a good idea.

When I arrived, it felt like I had the entire coastline to myself. Dark rocks, crashing waves, pine trees — and total silence.

It’s the perfect area for a peaceful walk, and if you have time, I highly recommend making a detour to Oshima Bridge (雄島橋) and Oshima Island (雄島).

Crossing the bright red bridge to the island felt like stepping into another era! Mossy stone paths, ancient shrines, and not much else. If you love peaceful, slightly mysterious places, this one is for you.

To end the day, I made my way to Awara Onsen, one of Fukui’s most famous hot spring areas. I used my Have Fun in FUKUI Pass to enjoy free entry to the bath at Awara Onsen Mimatsu, including a bath towel rental.

After your bath, you might want to spend the night in Awara Onsen or nearby Mikuni, which are both great options if you prefer a slower trip without extra travel. There are plenty of charming ryokan and hotels in the area.

In my case, I took the train back to Fukui Station to stay overnight. This was the best base for me, as I planned to explore around Katsuyama City the next day. For this part of the trip, having a rental car makes everything much easier — especially with the ¥2,000 discount offered through the Have Fun in FUKUI Pass at rental offices near Fukui Station. If you prefer not to drive, staying in Mikuni or Awara Onsen might be the better choice, since access to rural areas without a car can be a bit limited.

For this trip, I focused on exploring the quieter side of Fukui, but if it’s your first visit, I highly recommend stopping by the Fukui Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama. Fukui is known as Dinosaur Kingdom, and the museum is one of the best in the world, featuring over 50 full dinosaur skeletons, lifelike dioramas, and working research labs.

You can find access information and details here if you’d like to add it to your itinerary.

My day began with a visit to one of Fukui’s most unexpected and impressive sites: Echizen Daibutsu at Daishiyama Seidaiji Temple.

Unlike Japan’s ancient, world-famous Buddha statues, Echizen Daibutsu is relatively new. Built in 1987, it was the dream of Ryuzo Hayashi, a local businessman who wanted to create a spiritual site that could rival the great temples of Nara and Kamakura.

The temple grounds are enormous — five times the size of Tokyo Dome — and home to Japan’s largest indoor seated Buddha, towering at 17 meters, even taller than the famous Buddha in Nara. Inside the vast Great Buddha Hall, the walls are lined with 1,281 stone and gold Buddha statues, creating an incredible sense of peace and reverence.

Next to the hall stands Japan’s tallest five-story pagoda, rising 75 meters. If you’re visiting outside of winter, be sure to stroll through the Japanese garden on the grounds, with its large pond, sakura trees, and seasonal colors — especially beautiful during autumn.

The Echizen Railway ride is covered by the pass, making the trip affordable and simple. However, if you're planning to visit other rural spots like Papyrus House or nearby craft villages, renting a car at Fukui Station will make your trip much smoother.

After visiting the Daibutsu, I made my way to Papyrus House in Echizen Washi Village to experience one of Fukui’s oldest living traditions — washi papermaking.

This craft has been part of local life for over 1,500 years, and here you can try it yourself. The process is simple and calming: scoop the pulp, shape the sheet, decorate it with dried flowers or colorful dyes, and carefully peel it off to dry.

There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you want to make postcards (¥800 for 4), coasters (¥800 for 6), business cards (¥1,000 for 10), or even larger pieces like a shade lamp (¥2,400) or Japanese fan (¥1,300). No reservation is needed!

After the workshop, don’t miss the beautiful shop filled with handmade Echizen washi products, from everyday stationery to elegant home goods. It’s the perfect place to pick up meaningful, local souvenirs.

Fukui is an easy addition to any Japan itinerary, whether you’re visiting Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, or Tokyo. It's closer than you think and perfect for travelers looking for a slow, authentic trip. With the Have Fun in FUKUI Pass, exploring felt effortless — just show your QR code, hop on the train, eat delicious soba, soak in the onsen, and enjoy Fukui without worrying about the details.

And honestly? I’m already thinking about when I can go back.

P.S. If you’re looking for more travel tips and updates, check out JR West’s official accounts:
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