Discover the hidden gems of Japan’s Hokuriku region

The Fukui-Wakasa region sits along the Sea of ​​Japan and is rich in history, natural beauty, and spiritual charm. Wakasa offers mesmerizing experiences that will leave a lasting impression, and now, thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, exploring the region has never been easier. Let’s take a look at some of Wakasa’s lesser-known but worth-seeing attractions. (If you want to visit all of these locations in one day, it’s recommended to rent a car and explore the area.)

Jinguji Temple

has a long history, Jinguji Temple It is one of the “Eight Temples of Obama” – the eight famous spiritual places of Obama in the port city. Its main hall was rebuilt in 1553 and is designated as an important cultural property of Japan. Jinguji Temple stands out among Obama Jr.’s temples for its unique history as a place of worship for both Shinto and Buddhism.

One of its most striking features is the holy well located near the main hall. The well has a special connection with Nara’s Todaiji Temple: on March 2 every year, after a special water purification ceremony, the water from the well is conveyed to the nearby river for worship. It is said that it will travel all the way south to Nara, where 10 days later it will be used in the water-drawing ceremony at Todaiji Temple.

Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum: Looking back on 70,000 years of history

Located in Wakasa City, Fukui Prefecture Valvo Museum It’s a fascinating glimpse into thousands of years of history and the circumstances that shaped it. The body of water is essentially a pair of light and dark sediment layers that form on the lake bottom over more than a year, providing researchers with a record of the years. As with most lakes, many factors—such as aquatic life, large amounts of sediment, or connection to a river—can disrupt hydrologic readings. However, thanks to the unique, almost miraculous conditions of nearby Lake Suigetsu, Fukui’s algae have allowed researchers to trace their presence back as far as 70,000 years ago.

Full-size algae samples carefully excavated from the lake bed are displayed throughout the museum and are backlit so they can be clearly seen. Looking closely at them, the viewer will notice that they are occasionally filled with lines that are thicker than others. This could be a sign of some kind of disaster, causing years of plant damage. Based on factors such as color and texture, researchers can learn about the type of natural disaster and when it occurred. The accuracy of this process is not only extremely accurate, consistent with historical records of major earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, but also far exceeds human historical records, providing unique data that can only be found at Fukui.

Myotong Temple

set foot on this land Myotong TempleLocated in the Obama Mountains, one can immediately feel the change in the air. The area around the temple is steeped in history and has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The main features are the temple’s main hall and the three-story pagoda next to it, both of which are designated as Japanese national treasures.

Entering the main hall, the altar comes into view. In the center is a statue of Medicine Buddha, Medicine Master Tathagata. Although the statue is thought to have been carved in the late Heian period (approximately 1,000 years ago), its original condition is stunning.

Although Myōtsuji Temple is less than an hour’s drive from Tsuruga Station on the recently completed Hokuriku Shinkansen, with its moss-covered rocks, laid-back koi fish, and rich history, it’s easy to get away from visiting this revered site. One feels like one has stepped back in time.

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