The phrase “hidden gem” may be an overused cliche in travel writing, but sometimes there are places and experiences with so little traffic that one truly wonders: Why isn’t this more widely known?
One such destination is Fukui, a little prefecture shaped like a tadpole facing the Sea of Japan. It has incredible shrines and temples, gorgeous hot spring inns, fantastic food, superb craft traditions, and most importantly, almost none of the tourists one encounters in major cities like Tokyo or Kyoto, which made Fodor’s 2025 “No Go List” for its problems of overtourism.
If your goal is to visit a historic, beautiful part of Japan without the crowds, Fukui is an ideal destination. But don’t just take our word for it. Here are a few things you can experience in this prefecture.
Fukui’s signature craft is handmade washi (Japanese paper). With a history of over 1,500 years, it’s practically synonymous with the area. Despite the slow nationwide death of washi-making, the Echizen paper industry continues to survive thanks to the sheer quality of its product — finely-made washi that’s supple yet sturdy, with an elegance rarely matched by machine-made paper. Whether it’s stationery, summer fans, book covers, or even lampshades, the use of Echizen washi transforms ordinary products into extra-special versions of themselves.
To understand what all the fuss is about, it’s best to see washi in person. The Paper & Culture Museum in the Imadate district — around 30 minutes by bus from JR Takefu Station – is an ideal first stop to learn about the origin, history, and uses of Echizen washi, as well as get a sense of the variety and diversity of paper made in this area. Just a two-minute walk away is the Udatsu Paper & Craft Museum, where you can observe artisans make paper the traditional way with a huge wooden frame.
Most rewarding of all is to try making your own paper. A number of studios in the area, such as Echizen Washi Village and the aforementioned Udatsu museum offer papermaking workshops of various types, from making small sheets to marbling them. One of the most interesting experiences can be had at Ryozo Paper Mill, where visitors learn how to make a rare and beautiful form of washi known as “water-dropping paper.”
The Echizen area has seven centuries of knife-making history, and was renowned nationwide for the quality and sharpness of its blades — not just kitchen tools, but also sickles. Little wonder, then, that visitors from all over the world flock to Fukui to stock up on hand-forged knives. After all, whether you’re a professional or home cook, a set of Japanese chef’s knives are an indispensable part of one’s kitchen.
Located in the middle of rural Fukui, the Takefu Knife Village is the one-stop shop for all things blade-related. At this facility, visitors can learn about Echizen’s forging traditions and techniques, but also shop for knives, watch blacksmiths at work, and even join some workshops. Those with six hours to spare can learn the basics of knife-making from one of the working craftspeople; if you only have one or two hours, you can learn how to sharpen your blades like a pro. It’s best to visit on a weekday when the artisans are actually on the clock in the shared workspace.
If you only had time to visit one temple in the whole of Fukui, Eiheiji would be the no-brainer answer to this conundrum. Eiheiji’s location 15 kilometers outside Fukui City might make it seem an inconvenient choice, but this serene 13th-century Zen Buddhist temple complex is well worth the trek.
One good argument for visiting: The sprawling 70-building “Temple of Eternal Peace” is simply beautiful in all seasons. Perched on a mountain slope covered with cedars, the grounds are lush and verdant most of the year, dotted with sprays of gold and red in autumn, and blanketed in snow in winter. Appreciating beauty needs no other reason.
But for the visitor who requires a little more inducement, another reason to visit is to experience Eiheiji’s early morning service. Most working temples do this, but the scale at which Eiheiji carries out the daily prayers is on another level — over 60 monks chanting in perfect unison at half past six in the morning. Watching this practice, one that’s been carried out daily for centuries, can hardly fail to move even the most secular of people.
Best of all, Eiheiji operates Hakujukan, an 18-room inn located right in front of the monastery, so visitors won’t have to forgo any material comforts. Soak in their hot spring baths, enjoy exquisite multi-course meals, and meditate with the hotel’s Zen concierge. Spiritual refreshment has never felt so luxurious.
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without staying at a hot spring inn. Fortunately, Awara Onsen delivers on this experience. Fukui’s only hot spring town is replete with fabulous ryokan and baths that promise complete rejuvenation — or at the very least, a blissful escape from the dreariness of daily life.
One of the finest ryokan in town is the historic Haiya. Operating since 1884, the inn’s name translates to “House of Ash.” Much of the inn retains its Meiji-era architecture, giving it the otherworldly air of another era. Visitors would be wise to choose a room in the original Shofuan Annex or the Kangetsutei Suites, all of which have traditional Japanese garden views. To really spoil yourself, book one of the six rooms in the Annex that have a private outdoor cypress bath.
The point of a ryokan is to relax, bathe, and eat. Fortunately, Haiya’s food is also exceptional, especially if you love freshly-caught seafood from the Sea of Japan, locally-grown produce, and great sake. Dishes change from season to season, but think sweet, tender prawns and creamy tongues of sea urchin; well-marbled beef sizzled on a hot plate; a whole black-throat perch expertly deep-fried until the skin shatters in your mouth.
