1　Tojinbo Cliffs

Outline

Tojimbo features magnificent pillar-shaped rocks created by sea erosion. Extending for about 1 km, it commands an impressive view, standing gallantly against the raging waves of the Sea of Japan. This is the only place in Japan where one can see such a gigantic columnar joint of pyroxene andesite. Owing to this geologically rare phenomenon, Tojimbo is designated as a natural monument of scenic beauty.

2　Cherry tree tunnels

Outline

Along the banks of the Asuwa River that flows through the center of Fukui City, there is a long colonnade of 600 cherry trees, which has been chosen as one of the best 100 cherry blossom-viewing spots in Japan. In spring, it creates a magnificent walk through the 2.2 kilometer-tunnels of flowers in full bloom.

3　Asuwayama Park

Outline

Asuwayama Park is located in the middle of Mt. Asuwayama, which is 116.8 meters high. There are many interesting sites in the park, such as the statue of Emperor Keitai who laid down the social foundation of Fukui, ancient tombs and the Natural History Museum of Fukui City. In addition, there is the Memorial Hall of Tachibana-Akemi, a famous poet, and the Tea Ceremony Museum along the slope to the park called Atago-Zaka. The park is also known as one of the best 100 cherry blossom-viewing spots in Japan. In spring, more than 3,500 cherry trees in full bloom cover the entire mountain, whereas 14,000 hydrangeas dress up the mountain in summer. There is also a mini zoo and an adventure playground in the park.

4　Kitagata Lakeside Iris Garden

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Contact Info

Awara City Tourism, Commerce, and Industry Division　　0776-73-8029

Outline

This iris garden is situated on the shore of Lake Kitagata and is known as one of the major iris gardens of Japan. Some 500,000 irises of 300 kinds come into blossom from late May and usually stay in bloom for about one month. The Kitagata Lakeside Iris Festival is held in late June.

5　Echizen Matsushima

Contact Info

Sakai City Tourism section　　0776-50-3152

Outline

Echizen Matsushima is located in the center of the Echizen Kaga Coast Quasi-National Park. This rocky stretch, which consists of beautiful small islands, looks like Sendai’s Matsushima, after which Echizen Matsushima was named. Visitors can enjoy the view of the coastline and the cave while walking along the path.

6　Rokuroshi Heights, Okuetsu Heights Pasture

Contact Info

For Rokuroshi Heights Ono City, Tourism Promotion section　　0779-66-1111

Outline

Rokuroshi Heights have a vast expanse of grassy fields. Visitors can enjoy fresh air and the beautiful natural environment. Accommodation and leisure facilities are also available, including a hotel, camping sites, tennis courts, cycling course, football ground gate ball ground and open areas. This place attracts many visitors each season with various hands-on activities, including milking/feeding cows and butter making.

7　Karikomiike Pond

Contact Info

Ono City, Tourism Promotion section　　0779-66-1111

Outline

This pond is at the foot of the Gankyo-ji mountain around the upper area of the Uchinami river. According to legend, Taicho Daishi, a great monk, separated a thousand huge snakes that lived in the pond now called ‘Hakusan Sendaga (a thousand snakes) Ike’ and then enclosed them. This mysterious lake, which reflects the surrounding trees and mountains, has springs running into it, but not running out.

8　Lake Kuzuryu

Contact Info

Ono City, Tourism Promotion section　　0779-66-1111

Outline

Lake Kuzuryu was artificially created by construction of the Kuzuryu Dam, and its size is as large as Lake Towada in Akita. The bridge over the lake named Yume no Kakehashi was modeled on the Seto-o-hashi Bridge, and it blends with the magnificent mountain landscape. Lake Kuzuryu is a spot of beautiful natural scenery that graciously reflects the changes in the seasons.

9　Ichijo Fall

Contact Info

Fukui City Tourism Development section　　0776-20-5346

Outline

Ichijo fall is about 12 meters high and is located upstream of Ichijo River, which runs through the Asakura Clan Ruins. A smaller fall, known as Medaki, is also in the vicinity and is about 5 meters high. The area is surrounded by well-wooded valleys and the mountain atmosphere is fresh and cool even in summer. Ichijo Fall has a legend about Kojiro Sasaki, who dueled with Musashi Miyamoto at Ganryu Island. According to the legend, Kojiro practiced ascetic exercises at the Ichijo fall and came up with the legendary technique of swordplay, “Tsubame Gaeshi”.

10　Nishiyama Park

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Sabae City, Commerce, Industry and Planning section　　0778-53-2230

Outline

It is the most famous place on the coast of the Japan Sea for its approximately 43,000 azaleas. The annual Azalea Festival is held from May 3rd to the middle of May, when the azaleas splendidly come into bloom. Approximately 1,000 cherry blossoms that bloom in April are also worth seeing. This park includes many facilities such as a lawn-zone, "Adventure Forest" and Japanese garden, which attract everyone from children to adults. Its observation deck has a superb view of Sabae City and the peaks of the Hakusan mountain range.

11　Echizen Daffodils

Contact Info

Echizen Town, Commerce, Industry and Tourism section　　0778-34-8705

Outline

"Echizen narcissus" is a generic term for Japanese narcissus cultivated along Echizen Coast, having Ikura district in Koshino Village as its birthplace. Echizen Coast is widely known for having one of the three largest narcissus cultivation fields in Japan. In winter, narcissus bursts into bloom, snuggling against each other, as if to protect themselves from the harsh winter. Having four to eight petals per flower stalk, narcissus smells sweet and clean like mandarin oranges.

　　　　Echizen Daffodil Village Park

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Echizen Daffodil Village Park　　0776-89-2381

Outline

Echizen Daffodil Village Park is on Route 305 and the color of daffodils brightens the Echizen Coast. This park has a domed facility, Daffodil Dome, which grows daffodils throughout the year, and visitors can appreciate the view and scent of daffodils in all seasons. In the Daffodil Square, a variety of daffodils from many countries are grown. At the Daffodil Picking Garden, visitors can pick flowers.

　　　　Cape Echizen Daffodil Land

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Cape Echizen Daffodil Land　　0778-37-2501

12　Echizen Coast

Outline

The Echizen coastline, being part of the Echizen Kaga Coast Quasi-National Park, is one of the most scenic areas in Fukui. Echizen Cape in particular, features the beauty of the coast, with many unusual rock formations including Kochomon ("calling bird gate"), a natural tunnel created over time by the working of the wind and waves along this stretch of coastline. It attracts many visitors. Fresh and delicious fish and shellfish can be tasted throughout the year.Lovely narcissus blooming along the mountainside also attracts a lot of tourists.

　　　　Kochomon Rock Formation

Outline

The natural tunnel, Kochomon, was created by erosion and its unique shape was formed by the rough waves and winds of the Japan Sea over many years. The gigantic rock juts out into the sea and is a must-see. Kochomon is one of the most famous scenic sites of the Echizen Coast. Visitors cannot actually go through the tunnel, but can observe its magnificent view from the nearby park.

13　Yashagaike Pond

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Contact Info

South Echizen Town, Industrial Promotion section　　0778-47-8002

Outline

This silent pond that creates a mysterious atmosphere is located high above sea level at an altitude of 1099m. The circular pond, which is 230m in circumference and which is said to be 7.7 meters deep, has a number of legends. One of them is a story of a girl who sacrificed herself in this pond in return for rain during serious droughts. It is believed that the other name of this pond ‘Amagoi (praying for rain) Ike’ comes from this legend.

14　Kehi no Matsubara

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Tsuruga City, City Planning and Tourism section　　0770-22-8122

Outline

"Kehi no Matsubara" is a place of great scenic beauty and is one of the three greatest pine forests in Japan, ranked with Niji no Matsubara and Miho no Matsubara. The view over the blue sea, white beach and green pines is one of great natural beauty. This pine forest, which used to be protected as a property of Kehi shrine, has 17,000 red and black pines. Locals walk and jog around this intimate symbolic place of Tsuruga City.

15　Five Lakes of Mikata

Outline

The five lakes of Kugushi, Suigetsu, Suga, Mikata and Hiruga are located between Mihama and Wakasa Town. Each lake is of a different nature—salt water, fresh water, or brackish—and the lakes differ in depth, thereby bestowing each one with an individual beauty during all four seasons. They are also called the five coloured lakes. Mikata Lake is the highlight of the Wakasa Bay national park. Registration is at the Ramsar convention.

16　Tsunekami Peninsula

Outline

Tsunekami peninsula stretches from the west end of Five Lakes of Mikata to the northwest. It was named after Tsunekami Shrine, which is one of the recognized shrines by the Imperial court located between Tsunekami and Miko district in Nishiura area. The entire Sakumi bay on the west side of the peninsula functions as a marine park and attracts many tourists as a famous sightseeing spot of the Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park.

17　Sotomo Arch

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Contact Info

Wakasa Fishermen's Wharf　　0770-52-3111
Obama City Tourism Division　　0770-53-1111

Outline

This place offers a superb view of strange shaped rocks, arched rocks, and caves made by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. There is an excursion ship to enjoy the view close up, departing from the Wakasa Fishermen's Wharf. This spot is one of scenic places of the national park in the bay of Wakasa.

18　Wakasa Uriwari Meisui Park, Uriwari Waterfall

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Wakasa Town, Commerce, Industry and Tourism section　　0770-45-9111

Outline

Wakasa Uriwai Meisui Park spreads over the base of the mountain behind the Tentokuji Temple. It is designated as one of Japan's 100 best water spots and its name "Uriwari-no-taki", which literally means "gourd-splitting waterfall", comes from the legend that its water was cold enough to spilt gourds. Since the old time of Taicho-Taishi, this fall has been valued as spiritual water, which brings productiveness to grain and turns away evil spirits. Its pure water and rare red seaweed, along with the forest, soothe visitors' hearts.