The Hokuriku Shinkansen's extension from Kanazawa to Tsuruga will open on March 16, travel time from Tokyo to Fukui will be shortened to less than three hours, making it more convenient for tourists to visit Fukui.

Fukui Prefecture is located in the Chubu(central) region of Japan and is home to numerous natural attractions, such as Mikata Five Lakes and Kehi no Matsubara. If you are a nature lover, start planning your trip to Fukui now!

From Awara Onsen Station, it takes about 15 minutes by bus to reach the hot spring resort town. Awara Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring towns in central Japan, where you can find various hot spring inns around town. If you are not planning on staying overnight, you can still head over to the public bathing facility to enjoy hot springs. There is also a foot bath facility that provides free foot baths for visitors, where you can rest your feet after a day of sightseeing. After enjoying the hot springs, you can visit the nearby food street "Yukemuri Yokocho'" and indulge in a variety of delicious foods.

When visiting the hot springs, consider bringing your own personal care products to ensure personal hygiene.

Echizen Ono Castle is located in Ono City, atop Kameyama Mountain in Fukui Prefecture. It takes about an hour to get there from Fukui Station. Echizen Ono Castle was initially constructed in 1580 and holds a rich history. Though the castle tower has been rebuilt, the original stone walls and other remnants have been preserved. Articles left behind by the successive lords are displayed in the castle, offering visitors insights into the history of Echizen Ono Castle. By climbing up to the castle tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Ono City.

(*The castle is closed from December to March)

Remember to bring along a camera with you to capture the charming view of the old-fashioned townscape.

Echizen Ono Castle is also known as the "Castle in the Sky." When the town at the foot of the mountain is shrouded in morning mist, the entire mountain appears as if it is floating on a sea of clouds from a distance.

The phenomenon of the sea of clouds occurs just a few times a year, typically during the early mornings from October to April, and only under specific weather conditions. The best viewing spot of the "Castle in the Sky" is from Inuyama,  located to the west of Echizen Ono Castle. It takes a 30-minute hike along the mountain trail to reach the observatory. If the weather conditions are favorable, you can enjoy this rare and marvelous scenery from there.

Use a travel backpack when you go hiking to lighten your load.

Located on the coast of Tsuruga Bay, Tsuruga is a port city brimming with history. The sightseeing bus departing from Tsuruga station can conveniently take you to all the town's attractions, making it a perfect spot for a self-guided tour.

One of the must-see spots in Tsuruga is Kehi Jingu, a shrine famous for its own water spring that has been flowing for over a thousand years. The spring water is known as "Chomeisui," meaning water of long life. You can also find an 11-meter-tall Ōtorii in front of the shrine, which is one of the three greatest wooden torii gates in Japan.

Kehi no Matsubara, facing Tsuruga Bay, is a renowned scenic spot in Japan. The pine park stretches approximately 1.5 kilometers and is adorned with approximately 17,000 Japanese red and black pine trees. Take a leisurely stroll through the park and immerse yourself in the captivating experience of forest bathing.

During the summer, the beach is open to visitors for swimming. It is recommended to bring waterproof bags to protect your phones from getting wet while enjoying your time at the beach.

The Mikata Five Lakes are mysterious lakes known as "Five Color Lakes," due to the different water qualities of the lakes, the colors of the lakes change with the seasons. You can appreciate the picturesque scenery of Mikata Five Lakes from the Rainbow Line Peak Park on Mountain Baijodake. Take the cable car from the Rainbow Line parking lot, and in just two minutes, you will reach the peak park.

The peak park features five terraces where you can indulge in footbaths while enjoying the view of Mikata Five Lakes and the Sea of Japan. Alternatively, you can sit at the café, savoring coffee and desserts while gazing at the lake view.

During your journey, you can bring a stabilizer with you to help capture the breathtaking views along the way.