Best Autumn Leaves Spots in Fukui: The Charms and Location Details

When autumn arrives, the nature of Fukui Prefecture is colored with beautiful autumn leaves. Enjoy the historic scenery and autumn foliage spots in Fukui Prefecture for a heartwarming moment. We have carefully selected 10 autumn foliage spots to visit in 2024, so please use this as a reference for your autumn trip.

• Table of Contents
• 1. Youkoukan Garden: A Beautiful Water Garden
• 2. Lake Kuzuryu: Autumn Leaves Surrounding the Lake 
• 3. Nishiyama Park: Autumn Foliage in a Popular Historical Park 
• 4. Echizen Ceramic Art Park: Perfect Mix of Art and Autumn Leaves 
• 5. Fukui Healthy Forest: The Beautiful Yellow Ginkgo Trees
• 6. Echizen Great Buddha: The Largest Temple in Japan 
• 7. Hanagatami Park: Stunning Tunnel of Autumn Leaves! 
• 8. Manyo Village Ajimanoen: Breathtaking Postcard Scenery 
• 9. Murasaki Shikibu Park: Enjoy the History and Leaves
• 10. Maruoka Castle: Vibrant Maples Surrounding the Castle 

1. Youkoukan Garden: A Beautiful Water Garden

This was once the villa of the Matsudaira clan, feudal lords of Fukui, and the Japanese garden "Youkoukan Garden", created during the Edo period, spreads out around a large pond, and from the tatami room you can enjoy the scenery that changes with the seasons.

In autumn, why not spend some time relaxing and watching the autumn leaves reflected on the water's surface?

Details

Yokokan Garden

3-11-36 Hoei, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture 910-0004

Yokokan Garden is a villa that once belonged to Fukui’s Matsudaira feudal lords. The villa and surrounding garden are representative of mid-...

Business hours: 9:00~19:00 (open until 17:00 from November 6th to the end of February)

Admission fee: 16 years old and over: 220 yen, junior high school students and younger and 70 years old and over: free

Best time to see: Mid to late November

Tree types: Japanese maple, Enkianthus campanulatus, Sugar maple, Sugar maple

Light up: Yes

Parking: 6 large bus parking spaces. If the parking lot is full, please use the Marunouchi Parking Lot. 30 minutes of free parking is available.

Access: 15 minutes on foot from JR Fukui Station, passing through the Fukui Prefectural Office.

TEL: 0776-20-5367

2. Lake Kuzuryu: Autumn Leaves Surrounding the Lake 

Lake Kuzuryu, over which the 266m-long Hakogase Bridge, commonly known as the "Bridge of Dreams," spans, is a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves in the fall. On days when the gate is open, you can drive over the bridge, so we recommend opening the window and enjoying the cool breeze as you enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves.

Details

Opening hours: No restrictions

Price: Free

Best time to see: Early November to mid-November

Tree types: beech, mizunara, maple

Parking: 10 spaces around Hakogase Bridge (free)

Access: By train: 1 hour 30 minutes from JR Fukui Station to Kuzuryuko Station on the Etsumi Hoku Line, then 10 minutes by taxi from Kuzuryuko

*Taxi reservations are required. By car, it is about 40 minutes from Katsuhara IC on the Chubu Jukan Expressway, or about 15 minutes from Shiratori IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.

TEL: 0779-66-1111 Ono City Tourism and Exchange Division

3. Nishiyama Park: Autumn Foliage in a Popular Historical Park 

Nishiyama Park, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best historical parks, is famous for its azaleas in spring, but the autumn leaves are just as beautiful. The approximately 1,600 maple trees that spread across the vast park are impressive and well worth seeing.

From the square, you can see the autumn leaves with the mountain in the background, and if you climb up the park, you can see the autumn leaves throughout the park with Sabae city in the background. It's a recommended spot that can be enjoyed from various angles. Since it's a park in the city, you can casually enjoy viewing the autumn leaves.

Details

Nishiyama Park

3-8-10 Sakuramachi, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture 916-0027

Opening hours: Open all year round

Price: Free

Best time to see: Late November

Tree types: Japanese maple, Japanese maple, Sugar maple, Japanese maple, Big-leaf maple, etc.

Illumination: Yes (November 1st to November 31st, sunset to 9pm)

Parking: Approximately 220 cars. Free for up to 2 hours. After that, 300 yen for up to 22 hours.

Access: By car, 5 minutes from Sabae IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. By train, 3 minutes walk from Nishiyama Koen Station on the Fukui Railway. Or 5 minutes by community bus from JR Sabae Station.

4. Echizen Ceramic Art Park: Perfect Mix of Art and Autumn Leaves 

Echizen Ceramic Art Park is home to many broadleaf trees that change color in the fall. We especially recommend the bright red maples that can be seen in the "Yuseki Garden" at the Fukui Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum. There are also many artworks in the park, so you can enjoy art surrounded by beautiful autumn foliage. We hope you enjoy the collaboration of art and autumn leaves.

Details

Opening hours: Fukui Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30)

Price: Free

Best time to see: Late October to mid-November

Types of trees: Maple, Ginkgo, Dogwood, Enkianthus campanulatus

Parking: Free parking available (250 spaces)

Access: By car, take the Hokuriku Expressway, exit at Takefu IC or Sabae IC and drive for 30 minutes. By train, take the Fukutetsu bus bound for Kareizaki from Takefu Station on the JR Hokuriku Main Line and get off at the Tougeimuraguchi stop.

TEL: 0778-32-2174

5. Fukui Healthy Forest: The Beautiful Yellow Ginkgo Trees

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkcLrVsBHO5/?img_index=1

Fukui Healthy Forest is attractive not only for its bright red maples, but also for the yellow "Ikiki Street" with about 150 ginkgo trees lined up over a 300m stretch. In the evening, the ginkgo trees are lit up by street lights, creating a warm and fantastical atmosphere. Ginkgo trees bear fruit, so please be careful not to step on them. To enjoy the ginkgo tree-lined street, we recommend parking your car in the P6 parking lot near Chibikko Square.

Details

Business hours: 9:00~21:00 (Closed on Mondays)

Price: Free for the park

Best time to see: Mid-October to early November

Tree types: ginkgo, maple, Japanese maple

Parking: Free parking for 500 cars

Access: By car: Approximately 35 minutes from Fukui IC on the Hokuriku Expressway, approximately 25 minutes from Sabae IC. By public transport: Take the Keifuku Bus Shimizu Green Line from Fukui Station and get off at the Shimizu Plant 3 stop (approximately 40 minutes). From the stop, it is approximately a 40-minute walk to Kenkou no Mori, so we recommend taking a taxi.

6. Echizen Great Buddha: The Largest Temple in Japan 

At Echizen Great Buddha Daibutsu, which is home to the largest indoor seated Buddha statue in Japan, you can enjoy two different autumn foliage views with ginkgo and maple trees. The ginkgo trees lining the road to the Great Buddha Hall are a spectacular sight. You can also get a panoramic view of the town of Katsuyama by climbing Japan's tallest five-story pagoda. The autumn foliage seen from there, with the Great Buddha Hall and Katsuyama Castle in the background, is also impressive.

If you are coming by car, we recommend passing through the avenue of maple trees in Keyamachi , Katsuyama City on your way back from the Echizen Great Buddha . The autumn leaves line the side of the road connecting National Route 157 and Route 17 for about 800 meters, and are very beautiful.

Echizen Great Buddha Details

Business hours: Normal season 8:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) Winter season 9:00-16:00 (last entry 15:30)

Admission fee: Adults: 500 yen, Children: 300 yen

Best time to see: Early November to mid-November (Ginkgo tree lined streets: mid-October to late October)

Types of trees: Ginkgo, maple

Parking: 400 spaces available (free)

Access: By car, 10 minutes from Katsuyama IC on the Chubu Longitudinal Expressway. By public transport, take the community bus from Echizen Railway Katsuyama Station towards Heisenji → Get off in Echizen Great Buddha → 8 minutes on foot.

Maple Tree Line Details

〒911-0816 Keyacho, Katsuyama Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, the road connecting National Route 157 and Route 17

Best time to see: Early November to mid-November

Access: 5 minutes by car from Echizen Great Buddha

Maple tree

7. Hanagatami Park: Stunning Tunnel of Autumn Leaves! 

Hanagatami Park was the setting for Zeami's Noh play "Hanagatami." Hanagatami Park is a famous spot for maple trees, one of Fukui Prefecture's most famous, and the arch-shaped autumn leaves tunnel that the maple trees create is a must-see. In addition, during the autumn foliage season, an autumn festival called the "Hanagatami Momiji Festival" is held. During the festival, the area is lit up, making it even more spectacular. On weekends, there are concerts and food stalls, so you're sure to have a fulfilling time viewing the autumn leaves.

Details

Opening hours: All year round

Price: Free

Best time to see: Mid-November to late November

Tree type: Maple

Illumination: Yes (18:00-21:00)

Parking: Free parking for 40 cars

Access: By car, take the Hokuriku Expressway Takefu IC for about 15 minutes. By public transport, take the Minami-Etsu Line Washi no Sato bus from JR Takefu Station → get off at the Hanagatami Park Exit → walk for 5 minutes

8. Manyo Village Ajimanoen: Breathtaking Postcard Scenery 

At Ajimanoen Garden, which has deep ties to the Manyoshu, you can enjoy skunk cabbage, wisteria, and water lilies throughout the year, and in autumn the garden is covered in autumn leaves, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

In addition, the autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the pond, the mountains in the background, and the stream flowing through the garden create a tasteful and elegant autumn atmosphere. Why not enjoy the autumn leaves while looking at the ancient Japanese scenery this autumn?

Details

Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (Closed on Mondays, days after public holidays, and New Year's holidays)

Fee: Free

Parking: Free parking

By car, it is about 10 minutes from Takefu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway.

For public transport, take the Fukui Railway Iriya Line from JR Takefu Station bus stop for 25 minutes, then get off at Ajimano Shrine and walk for 3 minutes.

9. Murasaki Shikibu Park: Enjoy the History and Leaves

Murasaki Shikibu Park was built to commemorate the fact that Echizen City was the place where Murasaki Shikibu once lived away from the capital. The park is a rare shinden-zukuri garden, and you can feel as if you have traveled back in time to the Heian period. In autumn, the park is surrounded by vibrant autumn leaves. The view of Murasaki Shikibu's statue in the park, Hinoyama, also known as "Echizen Fuji," and the bridge that spans the park, create a beautiful combination of autumn leaves and the park's historical beauty. Please enjoy the autumn leaves and the scenery.

Details

Opening hours: All year round

Price: Free

Best time to see: Early November to mid-November

Tree type: Maple

Parking: 30 spaces

Access: By car, 9 minutes from Takefu IC. By public transport, 30 minutes on foot from JR Takefu Station.

10. Maruoka Castle: Vibrant Maples Surrounding the Castle 

Maruoka Castle has the oldest architectural style among the existing castle towers. Certified as one of Japan's 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots, the autumn foliage is also not to be missed. In 1978, a Japanese garden-style park called "Kasumigajo Park" was created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle's construction. Looking up at the castle tower from the park, you can see a beautiful and impressive view of the tower surrounded by beautiful maples.

1-59 Kasumi-cho, Maruoka-cho, Sakai-shi, Fukui Prefecture, 911-0231

Details

Maruoka Castle

910-0231 1-59 Kasumicho, Maruokacho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

Maruoka Castle is a Hirayama Castle that has the oldest architectural style among existing castle towers, and as its other name, Kasumiga Ca...

Business hours: 8:30-17:00 (last entrance 16:30)

Admission fee: Adults: 450 yen, Children: 150 yen

Best time to see: Mid-November

Illumination: Castle Area

Parking: Free parking for 40 cars

Access: Approximately 10 minutes from Maruoka IC on the Hokuriku Expressway

Visit Fukui and Discover the Charms!

This time, we introduced 10 recommended spots to see autumn leaves in Fukui Prefecture. Which autumn leaves do you want to see and spend your autumn?

The period during which the autumn leaves can be seen in all their beauty is short, so if you see a place that catches your eye, be sure to check it out.