Top 20 Experiences in Fukui Prefecture
Temples Silence Retreat - Speaking Monk Guided Tour
Discover the charm of rural Japan and enjoy a unique experience tailored for international travelers. Experience the serene atmosphere of a traditional temple as you are guided by an English-speaking temple priest. Quiet your mind and find inner peace through a cultural experience at a temple. This immersive journey will take you deep into the essence of rural Japanese life and foster a strong bond with rich traditions and customs. *The contents of the tour can be customized according to your wishes.
Private Echizen Knife Making Factory and walking Tour
A rare opportunity to see authentic knife making factories in the heart of the scenic Echizen area. Guests will also get to speak with real knife making craftsmen who dedicate their lives to making the world renown Echizen knives. For Japanese knife lovers, this is the perfect tour. For the tour, guests will get to check out amazing knife handles made at Yamaken Woodworks and then see how the blades are made at Ryuzen Hamono. Within the tour guests will also get to experience a part of the knife making process.
Experience Tasting Fukui's Local Sake in a Lacquered Glass
Kubota Liquor Store is a long-established liquor store that was founded in 1914 (Taisho 3), and is the first place you should visit if you want to buy Fukui's local sake in Sabae. Here guests will get to taste locally made sakes in special lacquered glasses. Guests can try junmai sake, daiginjo sake, or both depending on the plan. Glasses for junmai sake have a wide opening so that you can enjoy the full flavor of junmai sake, whereas glasses for daiginjo sake have a slightly narrower opening to trap the aroma and has depth to its shape which is its characteristic. This experience is perfect for those who love sake as they will get in try local sake in a unique way.
Private Making your Own Unique Sunglass in Sabae Fukui
Guests will get to learn about the lens making process at Inui Lens which produces high quality lenses. You will get to see the rarely seen behind the scenes of a lens making factory. You will then make your own sunglasses by fitting your favorite lenses into your own eyeglass frame (you'll need your own frame or you can purchase one at the store for an additional fee). There are more than 300 kinds of colors. You can make a one-of-a-kind sunglass that is suited to you. After the experience, take a break with a soft serve ice cream or a special coffee at the cafe in Lens Park!
Culinary Journey with Traditional Fishing Method Tour
Explore the Enigma: Experience the enigma by immersing yourself in the unique geographical environment of Lake Mikata. Nature Immersion: Delight in the picturesque landscapes of the nature-rich Lake Mikata with the guidance of experienced local guides, as it is designated under the Ramsar Convention. Cultural Lifestyle: Reflect on the sustainability of the local ecosystem and its cultural practices by witnessing the scenes of traditional fishing methods that have persisted for over 400 years.
Guided Kayak Tour Unveiling the History of the Lake Suigetsuko
Explore the Enigma: Visit the special topographical environment of Mikatagoko (the five lakes of Mikata) on-site and understand what a miraculous lake Suigetsu is. Nature Immersion: Our guided tour at the Varve Museum and a visit to the shores of Lake Mikata Goko will teach you of the 70,000 years of history that the varves reveal. Cultural Lifestyle: Witness the local fishermen using traditional methods of fishing that have a history of over 400 years. With your knowledgeable local guide, learn the insight of the region and the lives of the locals around the five Mikata Lakes.
Making of Echizen Lacquerware and Lacquering Tray Experience
Kinkori Shikkiten is a lacquerware shop run by brothers in Kawada, the town of Echizen lacquerware. In this experience, you will receive direct instruction from Mr. Masataka Kinkori, a craftsman at Kinkori Shikkiten, and experience painting lacquer on a wooden tray. The tray, which can be used for serving meals or as a tray for snacks, will make your ordinary foods for appealing. Guests will get to use the craftsman's tools for an authentic crafting experience. They will also get to learn about lacquerware from Mr. Kinkori who has years of lacquerware making experience.
Personalize your Own Knife and Visit Knife Handle Making Factory
Guests will get to visit the workshops of Yamaken Woodworks and Yamamoto Uchihamono where they will get to view the work that goes into producing high quality knives. Yamaken Woodworks is also a rare factory as is specializes in producing knife handles. Only a few factories still specialize in knife handles in Japan. At Yamamoto Uchihamo, guests will see the high amount of labor that goes into smithing Echizen knives. The retro workshop has a special atmosphere that will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time. At the end guests will get to customize their very own knife after seeing the processes that goes into make each part. Not only will guests get to have a knife that they love, they will also have deeper appreciation for it after seeing the labor that goes into making each one.
Private Echizen Washi Paper Making Experience and Walking Tour
The scenic rural Echizen area is famous for its rich history of traditional Japanese crafts. One of these crafts is washi, or traditional Japanese paper. Come get a rare hands on experience of visiting authentic washi factories and speaking with craftsmen. Guests also get to try their hand at making their very own washi paper. Also as part of the tour, guests get to visit beautiful Otaki Shrine which is dedicated to the god of paper.
Onigawara and Echizen Tiles Activity
Visitors can learn about the history of Echizen tiles, which have been used for a long time in Japan, a country prone to natural disasters, for their durability and safety, and see the inside of a factory, which is usually rarely seen. You can also make devil tiles, which have been attached to the edge of the roof to ward off evil spirits to protect the house and family since ancient times.
Private Countryside Tour from Echizen with Monk
Travel back in time to ancient dwellings and catch a glimpse of how people lived in the past. Then, visit a shrine steeped in history and pay homage to the 33 Kannon statues lined up in a row, and be captivated by the wonders of nature. Finally, take a stroll along the beautiful riverside promenade and listen to the music of nature as a gentle breeze blows through the air. Let the power of nature soothe your soul and experience a pleasant and healing journey. This enchanting cycling tour also offers the thrill of hidden suspension bridges. Cycling through the countryside will provide you with a fascinating rural experience that you cannot get in the big cities.
Private Woodworking and Lacquerware Session for Crafting Spoon
An experience where you can learn the process of making Echizen lacquerware by visiting two workshops, Hacoa and Shitsurindo and making your very own original lacquer spoon. Guests will get to see the process of making authentic Echizen lacquerware. Hacoa is a woodworking workshop that makes the base for many of the lacquerware craftsman in the area. Here you will get to see craftsman transform wooden blocks into commercial products. After viewing the workshop you will polish your own spoon and head over to Shitsurindo. Shitsurindo is a Echizen lacquerware workshop where craftsman paint lacquer. You will get to also see their workshop which is usually off limits. Here you will paint your spoon with lacquer.
Experience Private Washi Paper Mill Making in Ryozo
Visit the authentic washi making factory of RYOZO Yanase Paper Mill and get a deeper look into the world of washi making. The owners, Mr. and Ms. Yanase have years of experience and will give you knowledgeable instructions. Guests will get to tour the washi factory where they make paper fit for commercials products such as packaging for Japanese sweets. It is a rare opportunity to see such a factory. Afterwards with the instructions of Ms. Yanase, a traditional craftsman, guests will make a washi piece that is perfect as a tapestry. It is made using traditional techniques so it is a chance to experience authentic washi making.