Wakasa Bay—A bountiful natural environment and treasure trove of culinary delights
Fukui Prefecture is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan near the center of Honshu, Japan’s biggest island. The prefecture has mostly mountainous terrain, with 75% of the land area covered in forest. The northeastern coast boasts an impressive collection of sea cliffs, including Tojinbo, a location known throughout Japan for its scenic beauty. The rough waves crashing against the cliff walls make this an impressive must-see location. The southwestern part of Fukui is home to the Wakasa Bay coastline, a collection of narrow inlets and small peninsulas—one of the Sea of Japan’s rare rias coastal areas. This area is also a popular location for fishing, offering a variety of fish and shellfish.
In addition to its rich natural environment surrounded by sea and mountains, Fukui’s various regions offer unique attractions, including interesting history and culture, and specialty products. The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum located in Katsuyama City, one of Japan’s most prominent dinosaur fossil excavation sites, is a popular destination for children and adults alike. The area around the towns of Mihama and Wakasa is home to the Mikata Five Lakes, one of Fukui’s most well-known features that was even included in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest collection of waka poetry. The five lakes in this beautiful scenic area have different depths and salinities, so each is a different color. This is the source of their alternate name, the “Five Colored Lakes.” The Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins—a castle town of the Asakura clan that ruled the area during the Warring States Period—is another cherished site. Fukui is also home to Eiheiji Temple, one of two main temples of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. This temple was founded in 1244 by the Zen monk Dogen, and remains a revered Zen Buddhist temple where numerous monks engage in rigorous ascetic practices to this day. More than 90% of Japan’s eyeglass frames are produced in Fukui, notably in the city of Sabae, known as the Holy Land of Glasses. Visitors can even try their hand at making eyeglasses at the Megane Museum.
Wakasa, Fukui, was once a Miketsukuni, a supply province that made offerings—in Wakasa’s case, food—to the Imperial family and court in Kyoto. The rough, cold waves of the Sea of Japan make Fukui home to exquisite seafood. The area is a veritable treasure trove of gastronomic delights, offering numerous well-known products such as Wakasa flounder, Wakasa red tilefish, and Wakasa pufferfish. The undisputed king of winter delicacies, however, is Echizen crab. This type of snow crab is one of Japan’s top domestic brands.
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Fukui Prefecture is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan near the center of Honshu, Japan’s biggest island. The prefecture has mostly mountainous terrain, with 75% of the land area covered in forest. The northeastern coast boasts an impressive collection of sea cliffs, including Tojinbo, a location known throughout Japan for its scenic beauty. The rough waves crashing against the cliff walls make this an impressive must-see location. The southwestern part of Fukui is home to the Wakasa Bay coastline, a collection of narrow inlets and small peninsulas—one of the Sea of Japan’s rare rias coastal areas. This area is also a popular location for fishing, offering a variety of fish and shellfish.
In addition to its rich natural environment surrounded by sea and mountains, Fukui’s various regions offer unique attractions, including interesting history and culture, and specialty products. The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum located in Katsuyama City, one of Japan’s most prominent dinosaur fossil excavation sites, is a popular destination for children and adults alike. The area around the towns of Mihama and Wakasa is home to the Mikata Five Lakes, one of Fukui’s most well-known features that was even included in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest collection of waka poetry. The five lakes in this beautiful scenic area have different depths and salinities, so each is a different color. This is the source of their alternate name, the “Five Colored Lakes.” The Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins—a castle town of the Asakura clan that ruled the area during the Warring States Period—is another cherished site. Fukui is also home to Eiheiji Temple, one of two main temples of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. This temple was founded in 1244 by the Zen monk Dogen, and remains a revered Zen Buddhist temple where numerous monks engage in rigorous ascetic practices to this day. More than 90% of Japan’s eyeglass frames are produced in Fukui, notably in the city of Sabae, known as the Holy Land of Glasses. Visitors can even try their hand at making eyeglasses at the Megane Museum.
Wakasa, Fukui, was once a Miketsukuni, a supply province that made offerings—in Wakasa’s case, food—to the Imperial family and court in Kyoto. The rough, cold waves of the Sea of Japan make Fukui home to exquisite seafood. The area is a veritable treasure trove of gastronomic delights, offering numerous well-known products such as Wakasa flounder, Wakasa red tilefish, and Wakasa pufferfish. The undisputed king of winter delicacies, however, is Echizen crab. This type of snow crab is one of Japan’s top domestic brands.
