Fukui—a peaceful, nature-rich prefecture on Japan’s northern coast—is quickly becoming a favorite for travelers seeking an authentic, quieter side of Japan. While major cities like Kyoto or Osaka draw the crowds, Fukui offers something different: the chance to slow down, reconnect with nature, indulge in exceptional local cuisine, and explore unique attractions without the tourist rush. Whether you’re looking for Zen meditation, dinosaur discoveries, coastal beauty, or local hot springs, Fukui invites you to experience Japan as locals know it.
We’re here to highlight the very best of Fukui—from Eihei-ji Temple to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum—and show you why Kamenoi Hotel Fukui is an ideal base for your Japan journey. Consider this your new Fukui Travel guide!
Fukui Itinerary Ideas: Things to see and do in Fukui
Eihei-ji Temple: The heart of Soto Zen Buddhism
For visitors seeking authentic Japanese culture, visit Eihei-ji Temple Fukui, the Zen temple that Steve Jobs loved most during his lifetime. As the head temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, its history stretches back nearly 800 years to its founder, Zen Master Dogen. Today, Eihei-ji remains one of Japan’s most active spiritual centers, home to monks who live, study, and train in the traditional Zen way.
Eihei-ji’s atmosphere is unforgettable: the rich scent of cedar trees, the echo of wooden sandals along polished corridors, and the light filtering through ancient roofs combine to create a sense of timelessness. Unlike many temples that feel like tourist sites, Eihei-ji continues to function as a working monastery, giving visitors a rare look into the gentle rhythm of Zen life.
A particularly moving part of the grounds is Jyakkoen, the serene cemetery for Eihei-ji’s past head priests. Visitors may ring the bell tower’s bell—a moment that resonates deeply as its sound carries into the surrounding forest. This simple ritual often becomes a highlight for travelers seeking a peaceful, grounding experience in Japan.
Located around 40 minutes by car from Kamenoi Hotel Fukui, Eihei-ji Temple is perfect for a half-day cultural excursion.
Monzen Street: Local food and everyday flavor
Just outside the temple complex lies Monzen Street, a bustling, welcoming avenue filled with small eateries, traditional snacks, and shops selling local crafts. The contrast between the quiet Zen temple and the cheerful, food-filled street is part of the charm. It’s one of the best spots in Fukui to enjoy regional dishes.
Travelers often try the city’s signature sauce katsudon, a crispy pork cutlet bowl finished with sweet-savory sauce. Eihei-ji soba noodles, handmade with fragrant buckwheat flour, is another local favorite that pairs perfectly with the cool mountain air. For a quick bite, specialties such as dango mochi balls and goma-dofu (silky sesame tofu) offer both taste and convenience for strolling.
Monzen Street provides an accessible, delicious introduction to Fukui’s food culture—an ideal stop either before or after visiting Eihei-ji Temple.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum: Must-Try Japan Dinosaur Museum Trip
One of the most surprising things about visiting Fukui is its deep connection to dinosaurs. Fukui Prefecture is home to Japan’s largest dinosaur fossil excavation site and the place where the most dinosaur fossils in the country have been discovered.
As a result, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, consistently ranked among the top three dinosaur museums in the world, has become one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations.
If you haven’t turned your visit to Fukui into a Japan dinosaur museum trip, did you even visit Fukui?
Located about 50 minutes from Kamenoi Hotel Fukui, the museum offers a dynamic and immersive experience. In the central permanent exhibition hall, you’ll find full skeletons of giant dinosaurs, while life-like animatronic dinosaur models create a thrilling sense that they might leap right off the stage. The exhibits are notable for their scientific accuracy while striking a perfect balance with engaging displays that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
Because of its proximity to active excavation sites, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum also includes fascinating research displays that highlight locally discovered species. This makes it especially compelling for visitors interested in paleontology, science, or natural history. The surrounding landscapes also enhance the experience, evoking the prehistoric world that once existed here.
The museum’s popularity and educational value make it an essential part of any Fukui itinerary ideas.
More of Fukui’s must-see scenic spots
Fukui is filled with natural wonders and historic landmarks that enrich any visit. The following destinations—each within an easy drive from Kamenoi Hotel Fukui—provide a vivid sense of the region’s beauty, making them easy additions to your Fukui itinerary ideas.
Maruoka Castle (approx. 40 mins by car)
One of Japan’s oldest remaining castle keeps, famous for its steep staircase and impressive views. In spring, its weeping cherry trees draw photographers from across Japan.
Tojinbo Cliffs (approx. 50 mins by car)
These dramatic cliffs, shaped by rare columnar jointing, rise sharply above the Sea of Japan. While walking paths offer excellent views, the Tojinbo Sightseeing Cruise gives a thrilling perspective from directly below the towering rock formations.
Oshima Island (approx. 50 mins by car)
A sacred island connected to the mainland by a striking red bridge. Known as a spiritual “power spot,” Oshima offers a tranquil walking loop and the historic Ominato Shrine.
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine (approx. 60 mins by car)
A mystical forest sanctuary often called a “Sacred Site of Moss.” Its moss-covered stone paths and ancient trees make it one of the most visually enchanting places in Fukui.
Rainbow Line Summit Park (approx. 90 mins by car)
This mountaintop lookout presents panoramic views of Mikatagoko (Five Lakes of Mikata), known for their different colors due to varying depths and salinity. It’s a scenic highlight for travelers seeking spectacular landscapes.
Fukui Food Guide: What to eat on your trip
Fukui is one of Japan’s most underrated food destinations. With fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan—such as the luxurious Echizen crab kaiseki, worthy of its own Fukui winter crab trip—pristine water ideal for soba, and a culinary culture rooted in simplicity and craftsmanship, the region offers a surprising range of memorable flavors.
Echizen Crab: Fukui’s winter treasure
The most famous dish in Fukui is Echizen crab, the prefecture’s premium brand of male snow crab. Identifiable by its signature yellow tag, Echizen crab is prized for its sweet flavor, firm texture, and exceptional freshness. Historically given as tribute to the Imperial Family, it remains one of Japan’s top winter delicacies.
Travelers visiting in winter should not miss an opportunity to try Echizen crab served boiled, grilled, or in luxurious kaiseki course meals. Echizen crab kaiseki, in particular, is one of the most seasonal and unforgettable culinary experiences in Japan. Perhaps a Fukui winter crab trip is in order?
Echizen Oroshi Soba
This refreshing dish—cold soba topped with spicy grated daikon and a savory broth—is considered Fukui’s soul food. Light, clean, and deeply satisfying, it’s ideal after a temple visit or coastal walk.
Habutae Mochi
Fukui’s signature sweet is known for its silky, smooth texture. It makes an excellent souvenir for travelers looking to bring home a taste of the region.
Best place to stay in Fukui: Kamenoi Hotel Fukui
When planning where to stay in Fukui, Kamenoi Hotel Fukui stands out for combining natural surroundings, friendly service, and easy access to major attractions. Its peaceful hilltop location and approachable atmosphere make it ideal for travelers seeking comfort without the crowds.
A calm and convenient location
The hotel sits amid quiet greenery, offering a refreshing contrast to urban destinations. Its environment reflects the charm of the wider Hokuriku region: relaxed, sincere, and unpretentious. Many guests appreciate how it feels connected to the local community rather than overly commercial.
From the hotel’s upper floors, you can enjoy views of mountains, forests, and the city’s shifting colors across the seasons. Sunrises and sunsets are particularly beautiful from this vantage point.
Room options: Japanese tradition, Western comfort or both
Kamenoi Hotel Fukui offers three room types: Japanese-style, Western-style, and Japanese-Western style, allowing travelers to choose the experience they prefer.
The Japanese rooms feature tatami floors, futon bedding, and a minimalist layout that promotes calm and relaxation. They provide an immersive way to connect with traditional Japanese lifestyle.
Meanwhile, the Western rooms offer raised beds and familiar amenities for guests who favor modern comfort. Searching for a blend of both Japanese tradition and Western touches? The Japanese-Western-style room is waiting for you, combining home-from-home Western beds with soothing tatami-mat spaces and decor, blending cultures effortlessly for an unforgettable stay.
No matter which room you choose, you can expect your room to be a spacious oasis of calm, perfectly designed for relaxation after a day of sightseeing.
Hot spring relaxation: Kamenoi Hotel Fukui Onsen baths
A major highlight of staying at this lavish hotel is the Kamenoi Hotel Fukui onsen, filled from the natural hot spring. With mineral-rich waters known locally as a “Beauty Hot Spring,” the hotel’s baths offer rejuvenation for both body and mind. Surrounded by mountain air, the hot spring experience enhances the sense of tranquility travelers associate with Fukui.
The public bath includes two types of tubs:
• A warm bath at 41°C
• A cold bath at 30°C
Guests are encouraged to try the alternating hot-cold bathing method that’s believed to help boost circulation, reduce swelling, ease stiffness, and relieve fatigue. The method is simple: after rinsing, alternate between the warm tub for three minutes and the cold tub for one minute. Many visitors find the routine surprisingly refreshing, especially after a full day of travel.
Experiencing Fukui’s seasons at the dinner table
Breakfast Buffet
The hotel’s breakfast buffet emphasizes nutrition and regional flavors. Popular items include handmade tofu, Echizen Soba, and honey-pickled nuts. Travelers should also savor the Medetai Meshi, a celebratory dish combining Fukui’s famous Koshihikari rice with seasoned sea bream yamake.
Kaiseki multi-course dinners
Dinner at Kamenoi Hotel Fukui showcases the best ingredients from sea and mountain. Seasonal fish, mountain vegetables, local herbs, Wakasa Beef, and—when in season—Echizen crab are carefully prepared and beautifully plated in a traditional kaiseki style. The dishes emphasize color, freshness, and harmony, offering travelers a visually striking introduction to Fukui’s food culture.
The hotel also offers year-round crab cuisine, with a special winter-only Echizen crab kaiseki course available during the crab season. This seasonal meal is one of the most luxurious dining experiences in Fukui.
Late-night tantanmen
A beloved feature among guests is the complimentary Jigoku Meguri Tonaki Tantanmenonaki Tantanmen, served late at night. Warm, flavorful, and comforting, it reflects the hotel’s thoughtful hospitality and is especially satisfying after an evening soak in the onsen. And who doesn’t love a midnight snack?
Hotel facilities
Beyond dining and hot springs, the hotel offers additional amenities that enrich your stay.
Gift shop
The shop stocks a variety of Fukui souvenirs, including local craft items like Echizen ware ceramics and charming dinosaur-themed goods made from Echizen washi paper. These items make excellent gifts or keepsakes, bringing back memories of your time in Fukui with every glance.
Recreation spaces
The hotel includes table tennis and karaoke rooms, adding fun ways to unwind with family or friends between meals and hot spring visits.
Using Kamenoi Hotel Fukui as your travel hub
Thanks to its location and accessibility, Kamenoi Hotel Fukui functions as an excellent base for sightseeing throughout the prefecture. The hotel is within about an hour’s drive of major attractions including Eihei-ji Temple, Maruoka Castle, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Oshima Island, and the Tojinbo Cliffs.
Access to Kamenoi Hotel Fukui
With the arrival of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2024, it’s never been easier to get from Tokyo to Fukui, taking under two hours from Tokyo Station to Fukui Station. Because the hotel sits on a hill, arriving guests may prefer to use the shuttle bus, taxi, or a rental car. During winter, the shuttle bus is strongly recommended as the snowy incline can be difficult for non-4WD vehicles.
Travelers arriving by train can stop by the Fukui Station tourist information center, which provides maps, brochures, and seasonal travel tips in multiple languages. Around the station, dinosaur statues and themed decorations celebrate Fukui’s status as the “Dinosaur Kingdom” of Japan, where approximately 80% of the country’s dinosaur fossils have been unearthed.
4-Day Hokuriku Area Pass: If you’re also planning to visit a few more spots in the Hokuriku region, it may be worth getting the Hokuriku Area Pass. This is a great-value ticket for international visitors that allows unlimited use of JR trains (including non-reserved seats on Shinkansen and limited express trains) between Obama in southern Hokuriku and Kurobe Unazuki in northern Hokuriku, with destinations like Kanazawa and Toyama in-between.
7-Day Hokuriku Arch Pass: For those coming from Tokyo, it may be worth looking into the Hokuriku Arch Pass. This pass connects Tokyo and the Kansai region (such as Osaka and Kyoto) via the Hokuriku coast, meaning that your Shinkansen from Tokyo to this region would also be covered within the cost.
Why you should visit Fukui
Fukui remains one of Japan’s most enriching yet under-discovered destinations. Its blend of Zen spirituality, natural beauty, coastal drama, world-class museums, and exceptional culinary traditions makes it a rewarding choice for travelers seeking deeper, calmer, and more authentic experiences.
Staying at Kamenoi Hotel Fukui enhances that journey with warm hospitality, scenic views, soothing hot springs, and outstanding local cuisine. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples, tasting Echizen Crab, discovering dinosaur fossils, or watching the sunset over Fukui’s mountains, this region invites you to slow down and savor Japan at its most peaceful.
As you’ve hopefully learned from this handy Fukui travel guide, Fukui’s three charms—Zen, taste, and adventure—come together to create a destination that is timeless, rich, and unforgettable.
