Rediscovering the Past in Fukui: Spirituality and Dinosaurs
Recommended Length: 2 Days
Fukui is home to the head temple of Soto Zen Buddhism—as well as Japan’s leading site for dinosaur discoveries. Calm your heart, then come face to face with these remarkable creatures.
Highlights
- Try zazen seated meditation at a centuries-old Zen Buddhist temple
- Get lunch and souvenirs in the charming temple town
- Refresh yourself at a boutique hotel with a unique “Zen concierge”
- Learn about dinosaurs and try to discover a real fossil
- Explore a beautiful old shrine surrounded by moss
Day 1
Arrive at Eiheijiguchi Station
Eiheiji Temple
Eiheiji is the head temple of Soto Zen Buddhism. Learn about the core teachings of Soto Zen and tour the temple, then try zazen seated meditation led by one of the temple’s monks. Sit down, clear your mind, and simply exist in the moment.
Walk Around the Temple Town
Over the centuries, a small town grew around Eiheiji Temple, to serve visitors. Today, it makes a charming place for a stroll. Have a lunch of local favorites like Echizen Oroshi Soba noodles at one of the cafés or restaurants, and shop for local souvenirs such as goma-dofu “sesame tofu.”
Overnight Stay at Hakujukan
The boutique hotel Hakujukan offers luxurious comfort and various Zen experiences. Guests can try zazen meditation or shakyo sutra-tracing, led by a “Zen concierge” certified by Eiheiji Temple. In the morning, guests are welcome to attend Eiheiji’s morning sutra reading before breakfast, just a short walk away.
Day 2
Check Out of the Hotel
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
One of the world’s largest dinosaur museums can be found here in Fukui. This museum’s huge exhibition space features over 40 dinosaur skeletons, moving dioramas, and wall-sized fossilized footprints. In addition to dinosaurs, the collection includes exhibits about the history of life, and even the planet Earth itself.
Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest
After visiting the museum, try a unique dinosaur experience. At Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest, visitors can use a hammer and chisel to crack open stones, and try to find fossils. Particularly valuable fossils found by visitors go into the museum’s collection, but insect and plant fossils become one-of-a-kind, 120-million-year-old souvenirs.
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine
Hundreds of years ago, Heisenji Hakusan Shrine was not only a Shinto shrine, but also a major Buddhist temple, large enough that a city grew around it. Today, all that remains is this shrine, surrounded by moss and giant, ancient trees. Enjoy a moment of peace—or think about the vastness of time.
