Thursday, March 14, 2024
Situated in the northwestern part of Honshu, Japan’s main island, the Hokuriku region is celebrated for its year-round attractions, including stunning cherry blossom spots, warm summers, colorful autumns, and snowy winters. The region is currently served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which ends in the historic city of Kanazawa. Known for its Edo-period neighborhoods, traditional tea houses, and the renowned Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa offers a glimpse into Japan’s past. The upcoming extension of the Shinkansen line on March 16th will enhance access to Fukui Prefecture, reducing travel time and facilitating visits to enchanting locations such as Fukui City, now just a 2-hour and 51-minute journey from Tokyo.
Fukui Prefecture is poised to welcome an increase in visitors with the Hokuriku Shinkansen offering 14 daily round trips from Tokyo. Fukui City, the prefecture’s capital, is a quaint castle town famed for the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, one of the top dinosaur museums globally, attracting over 900,000 visitors annually. The city becomes a pink paradise in spring, thanks to the cherry blossoms along the Asuwa River and the Weeping Cherry Tree at Asuwa Shrine. Nearby, Maruoka Castle, one of Japan’s twelve original castles, is celebrated for its historical keep and annual cherry blossom festival.
Fukui’s attractions include the Tojinbo Cliffs, a designated Natural Monument and Scenic Beauty spot, and the Eiheiji Temple, a Zen temple founded in 1244 nestled in the mountains, where monks live a life of devotion.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen line also stops at Awara Onsen, perfect for hot spring enthusiasts, and Tsuruga, known for its fresh seafood and the Kehi Shrine, home to one of Japan’s three great wooden torii gates. The route covers the mountainous Nagano Prefecture, famous for its historical sites, natural landscapes, and outdoor activities, and Toyama Prefecture, the gateway to the World Heritage Gokayama villages and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
The expansion of the Shinkansen line enhances connections to less-visited areas, offering travelers a unique opportunity to explore the charming towns of Hokuriku beyond the major cities.
For those traveling through Hokuriku, special JR rail passes are available to extend their journey. The Hokuriku Arch Pass, valid for seven days, allows unlimited travel from Tokyo and Osaka to the Hokuriku region, while the Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass offers seven days of unlimited travel from the Kansai area to Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures, encouraging exploration of this culturally rich and scenic part of Japan.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
