Fukui prefecture (Hokuriku area)
Tojinbo
Tojinbo is a huge series of columnar joints stretching about 1 km along the coastline of northern Fukui Prefecture. Tojinbo is a rare example of such large-scale columnar joints in the world, and it is one of the three most scenic spots in the world. Because of its geological value, it is also designated as a national natural monument and a place of scenic beauty. Tojinbo is one of the best tourist spots in Fukui and is also famous as a filming location for detective dramas.
Mikata Five Lakes
Mikata Goko is the collective name for the five lakes of Mikata, Suigetsu, Suga, Kuko, and Hyuga, which straddle Mihama and Wakasa towns in Fukui Prefecture. The five lakes differ in water quality and depth, and all appear a different shade of blue, giving them the name “Five Color Lakes. The differences can be clearly seen from the 11.2-km long prefectural road Mikatagoko Rainbow Line Line, which offers a dynamic view of the five lakes and the Sea of Japan.
Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (one of the “world’s three great dinosaur museums”)
Known throughout Japan as a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils, this museum, located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The vast pillarless space is crammed with dinosaur skeletons, fossils and specimens, dioramas, and reconstructed models, providing a close-up look at these powerful dinosaurs for the enjoyment of adults and children alike.
Male Island
With an elevation of 27 meters and a circumference of 2 kilometers, it is the largest islet on the Echizen Coast. The locals have long revered it as an island of the gods, and after crossing a 224-meter vermilion-lacquered bridge and climbing 78 stone steps, you will encounter a legendary and mysterious atmosphere among the yabunikkei and tabu trees.
Lake Kuzuryu
Lake Kuzuryu is an artificial lake created by the construction of a rock-fill dam. The “Dream Bridge,” which was built as a test case for the Great Seto Bridge, blends gracefully into the dynamic mountain scenery and the vast dammed lake. The lake shows its beauty from season to season.