2024 Sakai Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

Price to enter is a bit high, but there's lot to see inside, with a wide variety of animals. Many kinds of fish, including some rare and unusual ones, jellyfish, octopus, sharks and rays, otters, penguins, dolphins, and more! Penguin walks and dolphin shows happen at various times in the day. You can feed sea turtles for a fee of 100 yen. Also, there are rest areas for families with small children to take a break, which is a great addition. I enjoyed seeing and interaction with fish and other animals. There is only one restaurant, which gets full quickly and is incredibly busy at most times. It would be better if there was another small cafe, or even just a food stand and some benches, elsewhere in the park but otherwise, it was a good experience overall! #givethanks #givethanks

Claim to be one of the oldest castle in Japan but being reconstructed after destroying by the earthquake a couple years ago. This is quite a small castle, but a lot of fun to climb up the steep wooden ladder like interior stairs to get to the next floor. Luckily there is a sturdy rope to hang onto to help you up and down. It's easier than it looks, but I wouldn't recommend it for the very young or very old. The views out the windows at the top are lovely. One direction you have mountains, the other direction you have the city. If I remember correctly there is a model map of the area, and old black and white photos of other famous Japanese castles up around the walls. You have to take off your shoes at the entrance so as not to scuff or dirt the lovely wooden floors. There are friendly guides and attendants at the entrance, but don't expect them to speak English. Overall it was a good experience! #givethanks #givethanks

Maruoka Castle - One of the Twelve Remaining Original Castles.

Maruoka Castle was built in 1576 during the Sengoku period by Katsutoyo, the nephew of Katsuie Shibata. The castle keep (a nationally designated Important Cultural Property) has an exterior that appears to be two stories, but the interior is actually three floors in a standalone watchtower style. The stone walls are constructed using an old method called 'Nozura-zumi,' which, despite its rough appearance with many gaps, provides excellent drainage and is said to prevent collapse during heavy rains. Additionally, in spring, the approximately 400 Somei Yoshino cherry trees, recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, add beauty to the ancient castle, befitting its nickname 'Kasumigajo' (Mist Castle). It is about a 20-minute ride on the Keifuku Bus bound for Eiheiji from JR Awara Onsen Station, getting off at Maruoka Castle, or about a 50-minute ride on the Keifuku Bus bound for Maruoka Castle from Fukui Station West Exit, getting off at Maruoka Castle. It is also a 5-minute drive from the Maruoka IC on the Hokuriku Expressway.

Tojinbo Cliffs

Tojinbo Cliffs is a large-scale columnar jointing that stretches for about 1 kilometer. Standing at the edge of the cliffs can make your legs tremble involuntarily. Such large-scale columnar jointing is rare even in the world and is counted among the 'Three Great Unusual Landscapes of the World'! Its rarity is recognized nationwide, and it has been designated as a 'Natural Monument of Japan' and selected as one of the 'Top 100 Geological Sites of Japan'. Additionally, it is known as a famous spot for sunsets and has been selected as one of the 'Top 100 Sunset Spots in Japan'. In recent years, it has also become a topic of conversation as a spot where you can see the 'Green Flash', a phenomenon where the sun glows green for a few seconds as it sets on the horizon, a few times a year.

Tojinbo Cliffs in Fukui

The rocks are exposed towards the coast! It's quite impressive and offers a stunning view! You can climb the rocks, but be very careful as some are high enough to cause serious injury if you fall! Especially after rainy days, the rocks can be slippery! There is a parking lot at the entrance, and there are many souvenir shops and restaurants! The area is well-maintained as a tourist spot, so enjoy your visit safely! 📍64-1 Anjima, Mikuni-cho, Sakai-shi, Fukui-ken

The Tojinbo 東尋坊

#japantrip It is really worth to take a walk along the sea and reach that place. Beautiful nature view. You can just sit down on the rocks and admire all around. There are several cliffs, all picturesque having a blue sea background. for photographer and solo travellers it could be a place to visit. be carefull about choosing your shoes since its a cliff and risky. acessible by JR bus as well. if u are using a private vehicle, do visit the nearest oshima island. free parking, and no such crowd.

Japan, Fukui, Araki Promenade

From Yonosu to Oshima, stretching 4 kilometers. The sea is azure, the sky is blue, the vegetation is lush, the summer is vibrant. If you come in winter, it is bleak and gloomy. The poet Takami Jun recited in his later years about his hometown: 'Araki in the winter morning, the Sea of Japan roars, the north wind and the cold snow. It was like this when I was born, and it will be like this when I depart. These raging waves will eventually return to silence.' In contemplation, I prefer the poetry of Chen Yuyi: 'The world is full of affairs, I walk silently by the water.' The beauty of Chinese, like an orchid in a secluded valley. To observe the outside is also to delight the inside.

Cliffs and precipices, where the sea and sky merge into one

One must-visit landmark in Fukui is Tojinbo, which is said to be a famous suicide spot in Japan. I have no interest in this legend, but Tojinbo itself is indeed very beautiful. The majestic natural landscape formed by the erosion of the sea waves is best described as cliffs and precipices, where the sea and sky merge into one. Although the transportation from the city is not particularly convenient, it is still very worthwhile to visit.

Maruoka Castle (Maruoka Castle) in Fukui City

Maruoka Castle, an ancient castle situated on a small hill in the northern part of Fukui City, is considered one of the oldest castle towers remaining in Japan and is the only one left in the Hokuriku region. The structure of the castle is a small wooden construction with three floors, and visitors can enter and view the inside of the castle. Around the castle, there are over 400 cherry trees planted, making it a beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot in the city (from early to mid-April) and it is recognized as one of the top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. A cherry blossom festival is held here every year. Admission fee: 450 yen Access: 50 minutes by bus from Fukui Station

Sakai Canning Sports Park

#thingstodo I'm happy with the free parking lot. A swing like a sliding one-person ropeway in athletics!? The chair was banned due to the influence of corona or aging. The long slide was very bad. However, the children were running around as much as they could and having fun. The scenery is also nice and spacious, so it's nice. Highly recommended to visit this place

AQUARIUM PLACE

Its small aquarium but its Funny . Also when the penguin is walking in the street they have Nice spots to take picture for insta 🥰 That like and island with bridge to go there. You must include this place to visit your kids will love it too. #chinsalesjp#japan#mytripvlog