• Zuigenji Cemetery - Begin the tour at Kanazawa Station, where the guide will warmly welcome participants. The meeting point is outside the Shinkansen ticket gate, near the information center sign. From there, the group will board a train to Fukui.

Upon arrival at Fukui Station, the tour will commence with a stroll around the station to admire the fascinating dinosaur statues and art. The journey will then continue to the castle walls and bridge, followed by a visit to the “rainbow” shrine.

The group will then take a bus to another part of the city to explore a daimyo’s room turned temple, enjoy a historical hill view that spans over a thousand years, and experience the best view of the city skyline.

• Fukui Castle Ruins - The next part of the tour involves a walk to the castle ruins, featuring impressive walls and a moat, along with the unusual presence of the prefectural office and police headquarters inside. The original walls remain, and a bridge has been faithfully reconstructed to resemble its Edo period appearance. Without a keep for many years, the castle’s gates were fortified as the final defense line, making it unique among Japanese castles.

A short distance from the castle is a shrine that has gained popularity due to the origami cranes adorning its entrance, offering a hopeful vision for the future. After visiting the shrine, the tour continues with a walk and a brief bus ride to another part of the city.

• Atagozaka - The last stop before lunch is Atagozaka, or the Atago Slope, a series of staircases leading to the top of a large hill. One of the oldest shrines in the prefecture is located here, offering perhaps the best view of Fukui City’s modern skyline, with new buildings set against a mountainous backdrop.

Descending from the viewpoint, the group will head to the Katamachi area near the station for lunch. Participants are encouraged to ask the guide for dining recommendations. Local specialties include Echizen soba and katsu (fried pork cutlet).

• Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple - After lunch, participants will reconvene at Fukui Station to catch a direct bus to Eiheiji.

Upon arrival at Eiheiji, one of the main temples of Zen Buddhism, participants will experience the harmonious blend of traditional Japanese architecture and the stunning natural surroundings. There will be an opportunity to explore the temple and learn about the history and significance of this Buddhist sect and temple. Participants will also have some free time to explore independently.

After experiencing Zen in its Japanese origin, the group will return to the lively city life. A direct bus back to Fukui Station will take just under 30 minutes, where those staying in Fukui will part ways, and the train to Kanazawa will bring the group back home by 18:00.

• English speaking guide
• Entry fee at Eiheiji Temple
• Guided Tour at Zuigenji’s castle rooms, Eiheiji Temple and other locations
• Transportation to and from Fukui Station (Kanazawa Start), Eiheiji and the local Fukui bus

• Lunch

Often overlooked when travelers head along the Sea of Japan, Fukui is another one of Japan’s prefectures that has as much history and natural beauty as any other. As the entrance to the Hokuriku region, Fukui has served as a crossroads for many important wars and trade routes throughout Japanese history. This tour will have you walk by the castle and also a temple where buildings form the former castle were moved, get stunning views of the modern city skyline from a hill with over a thousand years of history and dive into one of the head temples of Zen Buddhism in an idyllic mountain setting. Let’s dive deep into lesser traveled area of Japan that leave you wanting to come back to Fukui for more.

• All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.