Suggested Itineraries
(A) The Luxury of Facing the Sea. A Course Where You Feel the Earth's Pulse Underfoot
8:30–9:00 a.m. Transfer by car from hotels/stations around Awara Onsen, Mikuni Town, or Fukui Station to Ariso Fureai Park (Mikuni Town)
9:30 a.m. onwards Walk along the Ariso coastal promenade toward Tōjinbō while gazing out at the Sea of Japan
Away from the bustling crowds of Tōjinbō, this path offers a unique charm as you walk amidst the sound of waves and sea breeze. Enjoy the dynamic coastal formations not visible from the cliffs of Tōjinbō itself. This stroll in the sea breeze is a popular healthy activity.
10:00～ Admire the breathtaking cliffs at the scenic spot Tōjinbō, where thrills and stunning views coexist
Tōjinbō is one of Japan's most representative scenic spots. Columnar jointing of pyroxene andesite on this scale is said to exist only in three places worldwide: Mount Kumgang on the Korean Peninsula, Norway's west coast, and Fukui's Tōjinbō. This makes it a geologically extremely precious location. You can walk right up to the very edge of the cliffs on foot, experiencing an exposed, visceral sense of presence. The thrill of looking down at the rough waves of the Sea of Japan from a height of about 20m (equivalent to a 6-7 story building) will get your heart racing more than any amusement park ride.
10:30～ Board the Tōjinbō Sightseeing Cruise and enjoy panoramic views of Tojinbo and Oshima from the sea
After viewing the cliffs from above, boarding the Tōjinbō Sightseeing Cruise offers breathtaking views of Tōjinbō and Oshima from the sea. Cruising while listening to the captain's lively commentary and feeling the sea breeze is the ultimate refreshment.
11:30～ Seafood lunch at Tōjinbō
(Transfer to Oshima)
12:30～ Walk around Oshima. Cross the red bridge to the mystical sacred island of Oshima
The 224m vermilion bridge leading to Oshima offers a stunning contrast against the blue sea, making it a prime photo spot. As you cross the bridge, you'll feel a sense of excitement, heading towards a sacred place detached from everyday life. Oshima has long been considered the sacred precinct of Ōminato Shrine, preserving untouched nature. A roughly 1.2km walking path encircles the island, allowing you to stroll through dense primeval forests featuring trees like the tabunoki. Like Tojinbo, it's formed from volcanic rock, but Oshima reveals a different character in its rock formations. Bizarre rock formations created by nature stretch along the coastline, allowing you to feel the dynamism of geology up close. The luxury of viewing Tōjinbō from the opposite shore is unique to Oshima.
(Move to Echizen Matsushima Aquarium)
14:00～ Echizen Matsushima Aquarium. Stimulating curiosity with hands-on, experiential fun
The most popular attraction here is the “Sea of Coral” tank with its glass-bottomed floor. Visitors can lie down or sit on the glass floor to watch colorful tropical fish swim right beneath their feet. It's a constantly trending spot on social media because you can take surreal photos that look like you're floating on the ocean surface. You can also touch the backs of sharks and rays swimming in a massive tank. During the penguin walk, watching the penguins waddle right in front of you is incredibly soothing. The dolphin show features a close proximity between the audience seats and the pool, letting you experience the dolphins' dynamic jumps up close.
16:00 Shuttle by car
(B) Mout Toritake Trekking Packed with Highlights and the Mind-Boggling Scale of the Echizen Daibutsu
8:30–9:00 a.m. Transfer by car from hotels/stations around Ashihara Onsen, Mikuni Town, and Fukui Station to Mount Toritake trailhead (Katsuyama City)
10:00 a.m. Mount Toritake hike (Approx. 4–5 hours including lunch break for loop route).
Mount Toritate is a beloved mountain for hikers of all levels, from beginners to veterans. The moment you stand on the summit, the majestic sight of Japan's Three Great Mountains, Hakusan, spreads out before you in all its grandeur. Early summer brings skunk cabbage, autumn brings fall foliage, and winter offers snow hiking. It's rare to find a mountain so consistently rewarding throughout all four seasons. Mount Toritate is also perfect for those thinking, “I'm a bit nervous about serious mountain climbing...” The hike from the parking lot to the summit takes about an hour and a half one way. A well-maintained loop course allows you to enjoy different scenery on the way up and down.
(Moving to Echizen Daibutsu)
15:00～～ Exploring Echizen Daibutsu
Echizen Daibutsu offers a scale that defies Japanese expectations and a photogenic space like something from another world. The main statue, the Vairocana Buddha, stands at an impressive 17 meters tall, making it one of Japan's largest seated Buddha statues. It's larger than Nara's Great Buddha (approx. 14.7m). The overwhelming sense of pressure and openness you feel the moment you first enter the Great Buddha Hall – that “Wow, it's huge...!” feeling – is something you can only experience here. Surrounding the Great Buddha on three walls are 1,281 small golden Buddha statues lined up in rows. The sight of these geometrically arranged statues stretching all the way to the ceiling creates an immersive feeling, like stepping into a “fantasy world” from a movie or game. Every angle offers the perfect photo opportunity.
16:00 Pickup by car
(C) Beginner-Friendly Hiking on Mount Monju, Fukui's Easiest Peak, and the World-Renowned Eiheiji Temple
8:30–9:00 a.m. Transfer by car from hotels/stations around Awara Onsen, Mikuni Town, and Fukui Station to Mount Monju trailhead (Fukui City)
10:00 a.m. Mount Monju hike (approx. 3 hours including lunch break)
Mount Monju is so accessible that locals even take kindergarten field trips here. Its trails are exceptionally well-maintained: wide paths, stairs, benches, and information boards are perfectly organized. Reaching the summit takes about an hour, making it ideal for first-time hikers. Not only at the trailhead but also midway up the mountain, there are clean restrooms, making it an exceptionally well-equipped environment for a mountain. True to its name, it is a venerable mountain of faith dedicated to the god of wisdom, Manjusri Bodhisattva. It is one of the “Five Mountains of Echizen” established by the great Nara period monk, Taicho Daishi.
(Move to Eiheiji Temple)
14:00～ Exploring Eiheiji Temple
Eiheiji is not merely a tourist site; it remains a “living Zen training ground” where many monks (unsui) still rigorously practice asceticism. The moment you step inside Eiheiji, the atmosphere transforms completely. The giant trees lining the approach and surrounding the grand temple complex radiate an overwhelming sense of sacredness. The very act of the monks walking or sweeping is part of their practice, and their strict discipline naturally calms the hearts of visitors. Sanshōkaku features 230 stunningly beautiful ceiling paintings, making it the most splendid and photogenic spot within Eiheiji. The corridors, scrubbed daily by monks kneeling with hands pressed to the floor, gleam like mirrors. The moss-covered gardens and snowy landscapes visible through the corridor windows are like paintings framed within a single picture frame.
16:00 Pickup by car
(D) Sea Fishing for Japanese whiting and Horse Mackerel / Tojinbo Sightseeing / Tōjinbō Sightseeing Cruise
8:30–9:00 a.m. Transfer by car from hotels/stations around Awara Onsen, Mikuni Town, or Fukui Station to fishing ports or sandy beaches (Mikuni Town or Fukui City)
10:00 a.m.~ Fishing (approx. 3 hours)
Enjoy simple sea fishing from locations like Mikuni Port, Takasu Port, or sandy beaches. I will select the best spots for targeting fish in season, so enjoy techniques like surf fishing for Japanese whiting or Sabiki fishing for Horse mackerel.
(Transfer to Tōjinbō)
13:30~ Tōjinbō sightseeing and Tōjinbō sightseeing cruise (Lunch before sightseeing)
Tōjinbō is one of Japan's most iconic scenic spots. Its massive columnar jointing of pyroxene andesite is geologically extremely rare, found only at three locations worldwide: Mount Kumgang on the Korean Peninsula, Norway's west coast, and Fukui's Tōjinbō. Experience the raw, visceral sensation of walking right up to the cliff's edge. The thrill of looking down at the rough waves of the Sea of Japan from a height of about 20m (equivalent to a 6-7 story building) will raise your heart rate more than any amusement park ride. After viewing the cliffs from above, boarding the Tōjinbō Sightseeing Cruise to gaze up at Tōjinbō and Oshima from the sea offers a truly spectacular view. Cruising while listening to the captain's lively commentary and feeling the sea breeze is the ultimate refreshment.
16:00 Pickup by car
✉️ Inquiries & Reservations
I welcome questions like “Can I do this?”! Feel free to message me via email, Facebook or Instagram.
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I look forward to walking through Fukui's nature with you!
Nature Guide Norihito Matsumoto