7 recommended sightseeing spots in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, home to one of the world's three largest museums
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Katsuyama City, Katsuyama Prefecture, which can be reached in about 1.5 hours from Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is home to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which displays life-sized dinosaur fossils, and is a popular spot visited by more than 900,000 people a year. Also, near the dinosa...
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Katsuyama City is located in the northeastern part of Fukui Prefecture. The city is located on a river terrace formed along the course of the Kuzuryu River, and is a rural city rich in water and greenery, with commerce and industry based on the local textile industry since the Meiji period, and agriculture and forestry having been thriving since ancient times. Our company is a DMO (tourism region development organization) that works with local communities to develop tourist areas. Katsuyama City is a treasure trove of attractive tourist content, including the Dinosaur Museum and Heisenji Temple! We provide detailed services to customers visiting Katsuyama , such as guided tours that allow many people to experience Katsuyama , the Geo Terminal in the parking lot of the Dinosaur Museum, and the operation of the "Dinosaur Valley Katsuyama" Roadside Station , which opened in June 2020. We are also actively challenging ourselves to create new businesses centered around tourism, aiming to revitalize the town of Katsuyama.
Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture is home to many tourist attractions, such as the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, one of the world's three largest dinosaur museums, Heisenji Hakusan Shrine, which is beautifully covered in moss, and Ski Jam Katsuyama, which has one of the largest slopes in western Japan. It is a popular area visited by approximately 2 million tourists a year.
In this article, we will introduce 7 recommended tourist spots in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture.
There are plenty of must-see spots when traveling to Fukui, so please use this as a reference for your travel plans.
1. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum: One of the world's three largest dinosaur museums
One thing you can't miss on a trip to Katsuyama City is the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is visited by over 1 million people a year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Fukui.
It is counted as one of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world, and its vast column-free space displays as many as 50 complete fossil skeletons.
There are also some valuable exhibits, including real fossils.
At the center of the exhibit is a giant model of a Tyrannosaurus.
In fact, this Tyrannosaurus moves and roars in a very realistic and impressive way!
The museum is shaped like a silver dome, and from a distance it looks like an egg peeking out from the forest.
Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture is known as the "Dinosaur Kingdom" because of the large number of dinosaur fossils excavated there.
In 1982, crocodile fossils were discovered at the same site, and in 1987, dinosaur teeth and other remains were discovered, and excavation work is still ongoing.
Not only have a large number of fossils been excavated here, but six new species of dinosaurs have also been discovered in Fukui and recognized as new species.
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is surrounded by a vast park where you can enjoy dinosaur-themed play equipment and fossil excavation experiences.
Come and visit the world of dinosaurs.
2. Heisenji Hakusan Shrine: A Mysterious Moss Garden That Spreads As Far As You Can
Next, we would like to introduce Heisenji Hakusan Shrine.
Opened in 717, it is a popular spot with a history of about 1,300 years.
The highlight here is the moss that spreads out like a carpet .
The grounds have been maintained by local residents, and the clear air and dignified atmosphere are soothing to the soul.
Another highlight are the giant cedar trees lining the approach to the shrine, the oldest of which is said to be over 500 years old.
The best time to visit Heisenjiis in the morning when there are fewer people .
You can take a leisurely stroll around the temple grounds and relax in the clear air.
When conditions are good, rays of light shine into the temple grounds, creating a fantastical sight.
Another must-see spot is Mitarashiike Pond, where legend has it that a goddess appeared.
Heisenji flourished as the entrance to the Shugendo sect of Buddhism leading to Mt. Hakusan.
The goddess of Mt. Hakusan appeared and told people to climb to the top, which led to the founding of Heisenji.
It is a mysterious space where time seems to stand still.
Heisenji reached its peak around 1400, with as many as 8,000 warrior monks living on the grounds.
Excavation surveys that have been carried out since around 1990 have uncovered the remains of houses where the warrior monks once lived, as well as stone-paved roads, and work has been progressing on improving the area.
The cobblestone road is now open to the public and you can actually walk on it.
Please come wearing comfortable shoes.
3. Ski Jam Katsuyama: A highland resort with a 6,000m long slope
Ski Jam Katsuyama is a snow resort with one of the largest slopes in western Japan.
The longest run is 5,800m, making it ideal for long rides.
The slopes are divided into three areas: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, so anyone from beginners to experts can enjoy it.
There is a very convenient accommodation facility called "Hotel Harvest Ski Jam Katsuyama" and Hoonji Onsen "Sasayuri" just a 0-minute walk from the slopes.
Have fun and relax to soothe your tired body.
You can also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities during the green season from spring to autumn.
There are also opportunities to try out grass sledding and Segways on the grass slopes, as well as a dog run.
On the premises, there is Italian food such as pizza and pasta made with local ingredients, as well as a BBQ garden that can be enjoyed by large groups, so it is sure to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Please come and visit Ski Jam Katsuyama, a highland resort that can be enjoyed all year round.
4. Echizen Daibutsu: Japan's Echizen Great Buddha Buddha statue with a solemn atmosphere
Next, we would like to introduce the Echizen Great Buddha of Daishizan Seidaiji temple, which is rapidly gaining popularity.
A relatively new temple and Great Buddha, built in 1987.
It is said that Tada Kiyoo, a businessman from Katsuyama City, thought of his hometown and used his own money to build it.
Speaking of Great Buddhas, the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture is famous, but did you know that the Echizen Great Buddha is actually larger than the Great Buddha of Nara?
The Echizen Great Buddha is 17m tall, 2m larger than the Great Buddha of Nara.
It boasts the largest indoor seated statue in Japan .
The walls of the Great Buddha Hall are lined with 1,281 stone Buddha statues , all made of marble!
I was constantly surprised at how much it all cost.
In recent years, the row of stone Buddha statues lining the walls of the Great Buddha Hall has become a hot topic on social media such as Instagram, making it a popular photo spot .
Many visitors say that it feels like they have wandered into another world.
There are plenty of other things to see at Daishizan Seidaiji temple Echizen Great Buddha, including the view from the five-story pagoda and the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves in the Japanese garden.
It's also close to the Dinosaur Museum and Heisenji Hakusan Shrine, so be sure to stop by.
Limited time offer! Special viewing of the sea of clouds
From April to November, you can enjoy a special performance of a sea of clouds for one hour after the gates open and one hour before they close. This will enhance the solemn atmosphere of the Great Buddha Hall, allowing you to enjoy a magnificent view.
According to local staff, there is less wind and fewer people in the morning than in the evening, so if you want to enjoy the spectacular view more, we recommend going in the morning.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons
So please come and visit.
More Information
Opening times
April to November 8:00 to 9:00 and 16:00 to 17:00
Admission fee: Special admission fee only for this time: Adults 1,000 yen, Children 500 yen Special design goshuin (red seal) 500 yen each
Caution : Visibility may be poor depending on the weather and season.
5. Katsuyama Castle Museum: Amazing views from the castle tower!
Next, we would like to introduce the Katsuyama Castle Museum, which opened in 1992.
This history museum has a five-story, six-floor castle tower, which is 57.8m tall, making it the tallest in Japan .
The museum displays a collection of daimyo weapons and battle screens, as well as works related to the calligrapher Nishiwaki Goseki.
One of the highlights is the large sliding screen painting on the second floor titled "The Four Seasons of Japan," which features flowers of each season painted on a gold folding screen.
This is a work by Western-style painter Toshimitsu Imai.
Concerts are held in front of the paintings several times each year, and the hall is also used for lectures.
The tea room inside the building hosts various events, such as tea ceremonies.
It's a magnificent museum even from the outside, but we also recommend visiting the inside of the building.
6. Textile museum Yume Ole Katsuyama: A Museum Built from a Renovated Textile Factory
The Textile museum Yume Ole Katsuyama is a museum facility renovated from a former textile factory.
Within the facility, textile-related machinery is in operation, making it a living cultural asset where you can enjoy the world of textiles.
The dynamic exhibit allows you to get up close and personal with the process of turning thread into textiles.
You can learn about the history of Katsuyama's textile industry while listening to the sounds of powerful looms.
In the experience corner on the first floor, you can enjoy making your own original coaster by choosing your favorite thread, or experiencing cocoon crafts.
It takes about 30 minutes.
The staff will provide careful support, so even children around 7 years old can try it out.
Please try making your own original coaster that is one of a kind.
The facility also houses a shop selling textile-related souvenirs and a cafe space where you can take a break.
It's close to the city center, so it's also recommended as a starting point for strolling around the city.
Admission is free , so please feel free to stop by.
7. Lunch at a cultural property built 120 years ago, enjoying local cuisine at "Shunsai Shokusai Kagetsuro"
The last place we would like to introduce is Shunsai Shokusai Kagetsuro, a restaurant facility renovated from a nationally designated tangible cultural property.
We serve local cuisine, mainly from Katsuyama City, and dishes made with local seasonal ingredients.
Kagetsuro was built in 1897 and was renovated and reopened in 2017.
As much of the architectural style from 120 years ago as possible has been preserved, making it a building with a lot of charm.
The highlight is the "Umbrella Ceiling Room" on the second floor.
The ceiling of the 32-tatami mat large hall curves on all four sides and is called the "umbrella ceiling" because it looks like an open umbrella.
If you make a reservation, you can also dine under the umbrella roof.
Please enjoy your meal in the tatami room of this former restaurant, which was once highly prestigious and only accessible to a limited number of people.
Katsuyama is recommended for travelling around Japan
This time, we introduced seven recommended tourist spots in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture.
If you're overwhelmed by the number of attractions, why not stay overnight in Katsuyama City and visit all seven?
Bicycle rental will be introduced from 2023 and can be rented at Katsuyama Station.
We recommend this tour as it allows you to travel freely Katsuyama City.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Katsuyama City.
Katsuyama City is located in the northeastern part of Fukui Prefecture. The city is located on a river terrace formed along the course of the Kuzuryu River, and is a rural city rich in water and greenery, with commerce and industry based on the local textile industry since the Meiji period, and agriculture and forestry having been thriving since ancient times. Our company is a DMO (tourism region development organization) that works with local communities to develop tourist areas. Katsuyama City is a treasure trove of attractive tourist content, including the Dinosaur Museum and Heisenji Temple! We provide detailed services to customers visiting Katsuyama , such as guided tours that allow many people to experience Katsuyama , the Geo Terminal in the parking lot of the Dinosaur Museum, and the operation of the "Dinosaur Valley Katsuyama" Roadside Station , which opened in June 2020. We are also actively challenging ourselves to create new businesses centered around tourism, aiming to revitalize the town of Katsuyama.
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