Fukui, Japan: A magical journey from the castle in the sky to the five-colored lake!

Fukui Prefecture is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan and is a tourist destination full of natural beauty and historical culture. Fukui Prefecture is an important gateway to the Sea of Japan, a major transportation hub connecting the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions to the capital, and an important window for the spread of culture from the Asian continent. The average life expectancy of men and women in Fukui Prefecture is the highest in Japan. Fukui Prefecture has distinct geographical features, with the Fukui Plain in the north and Wakasa Bay in the south, and the Fukui Plain is the main agricultural area. Here is a detailed guide I have compiled. If you find it helpful, please follow me! - Attractions Gotanjoji Temple: A must-visit "cat temple" for cat lovers. The temple is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha, and the Buddha statue is decorated with cute cat carvings. There are many cats living freely in the temple, and you can also buy cute goshuin and goshuin books. The address is 32 Shodacho, Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, and no admission fee is required. Yokokan Garden: A stroll garden built in the Edo period, it was once the residence of the Matsudaira family, the lords of Fukui. The garden emphasizes "water affinity," with naturally formed stone bridges, walkways made of stones from all over Fukui, and a main building with a roof made of 100,000 pieces of cedar wood. The address is 3-11-36 Hoei, Fukui, Fukui Prefecture, and the admission fee is JPY 500 for adults and JPY 100 for children. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum: The largest dinosaur museum in Japan and one of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world. It houses more than 40 complete dinosaur skeletons, and its silver egg-shaped dome design is very futuristic. The address is 3-1-1 Muroko, Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture, and the admission fee is JPY 1,500 for adults. Tojinbo: A spectacular cliff with strange rocks and stones formed by years of erosion by the sea. Its unique topography is a rare geological phenomenon in the world. The address is Mikunicho Anto, Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, Japan, and no admission fee is required. - Food Sauce Katsu-don: A soul food of Fukui, the birthplace of which is Europe-ken (address: 1-7-4 Junka, Fukui, Fukui Prefecture, about a 5-minute walk from Fukui Station). The sauce here is moderately sweet and sour, the pork cutlet is thinly sliced and fried until crispy, tender and easy to cut, and the rice is outstanding in texture. A serving costs about JPY 1,500. Habutae Mochi: A representative wagashi of Fukui, the most famous of which is Matsuokaken. Made from high-quality glutinous rice, sugar, and maltose, it is smooth, soft, and sweet, and costs about JPY 300. - Notes Transportation: You can take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui. Within Fukui Prefecture, buses and taxis are more convenient. Some attractions are far apart, so it is recommended to plan your route and travel time in advance. Language: English is not widely spoken in Fukui, so simple Japanese or translation software will be more convenient. Etiquette: Follow Japanese etiquette, such as keeping quiet in public places, taking off your shoes when entering a room, and sorting your garbage. Weather: Fukui is snowy in winter, so remember to bring warm clothes and rain gear. Summer is cooler, but you should also take sun protection measures.