The Tsuruga area in Fukui Prefecture is just a single Shin-Kaisoku train ride away from Osaka.
Here’s a recap of my two-day, one-night trip to Fukui, where I enjoyed hot springs, local cuisine, and the breathtaking scenery of Wakasa.
On the first day, we enjoyed a crab feast,
and on the second day, we had sushi in Obama, took a cruise on Wakasa Bay, visited the Mikata Goko Terrace and the Kibino Matsubara pine grove,
and finished with a seafood dinner in front of Tsuruga Station—it was a jam-packed itinerary.
I hope this is helpful for anyone planning a trip to Fukui.
- Day 1 | Osaka → Tsuruga. A crab-filled dinner and a soothing hot spring
- Day 2 | Sushi in Obama → Wakasa Bay Cruise → Mikata Goko Terrace → Kibi Pine Grove → Seafood in front of Tsuruga Station
- I rented a car at Tsuruga Station and drove to Obama
- Yamato Sushi | The portions are generous, but the freshness leaves something to be desired
- To Wakasa Fishermen's Wharf. Board the Sotomon Cruise Ship
- The breathtaking views from the Sanpo Goko Terrace are truly refreshing
- Be awestruck by the scale of Kehi Pine Grove, one of Japan’s Three Great Pine Groves
- For dinner, we enjoyed seafood at "Marusan-ya Tsuruga Ekimae"
- Highlights | Crab, the Ocean, and Stunning Views: A 2-Day, 1-Night Trip Packed with the Best of Fukui
Day 1 | Osaka → Tsuruga. A crab-filled dinner and a soothing hot spring
Traveling from Osaka to Tsuruga on the Shinkaisoku
I took the Shinkaisoku express and arrived at Tsuruga Station around 4:00 p.m.
From there, I took a shuttle bus to my accommodation for this trip, the Hokkai Grand Hotel.
The interior gives the impression of a Showa-era inn, but I thought it was interesting that the rooms were named after Japan’s prefectures. The amenities are very basic, so you’ll need to bring your own. There was no hair dryer in the room, and there were only two in the bath area.
Dinner at the Hokkai Grand Hotel is an "all-you-can-eat crab feast"
For dinner, we enjoyed the Tsukidō Course, a spectacular full-course crab meal.
- One whole snow crab per person
- The flesh is sweet and firm
- The crab broth rice porridge at the end is absolutely delicious.
It was a luxurious dinner that washed away the fatigue of traveling.
The rich, creamy texture of the water leaves you feeling warm and moisturized
The hot spring water has a silky texture and leaves your skin feeling moisturized even after you get out.
It feels as if your skin has been deeply moisturized, making it perfect for a winter getaway.
Day 2 | Sushi in Obama → Wakasa Bay Cruise → Mikata Goko Terrace → Kibi Pine Grove → Seafood in front of Tsuruga Station
I rented a car at Tsuruga Station and drove to Obama
After checking out, we rented a car from the rental agency in front of Tsuruga Station.
First, we headed to Yamato Sushi, a popular restaurant in Obama City.
Yamato Sushi | The portions are generous, but the freshness leaves something to be desired
The sushi I ordered had generously sized pieces, but to be honest, I didn’t feel the fish was particularly fresh—it tasted a bit watery. I was especially struck by the fact that the tuna, which wasn’t even bluefin, cost 600 yen, but the yellowtail and amberjack were fatty and delicious. The pieces were quite thick. The ordering system involves telling the staff what you want; if the item isn’t on the conveyor belt, they’ll make it fresh for you, but if it is on the belt, you’re expected to grab it yourself. That was a bit of a letdown.
To Wakasa Fishermen's Wharf. Board the Sotomon Cruise Ship
The Sotomo Cruise, where you can enjoy the spectacular views of Wakasa Bay.
I heard that if you book online the day before, you get a discount.
Due to bad weather and waves about 1 meter high, we couldn't reach our destination, so we ended up taking a tour of Obama Bay instead.
- The islands dotting Wakasa Bay
- The massive structures at the Oi Power Plant
You can see it up close from the sea, which is a rare experience in its own right.
It is said that oyster farming in the Sea of Japan originated in Obama Bay.
The sightseeing boat was faster than I expected, so when I went out on deck, the wind was strong and it was cold. It might be nice and cool in the summer, though?
The breathtaking views from the Sanpo Goko Terrace are truly refreshing
The weather cleared up, so we headed to the Mikata-Goko Terrace.
The breathtaking scenery begins to unfold even as you ride the lift, and when you stand at the
observation deck, you’re treated to a spectacular view of both the lake and the Sea of Japan.
If you're afraid of heights, we recommend taking the cable car instead of the lift.
Be awestruck by the scale of Kehi Pine Grove, one of Japan’s Three Great Pine Groves
Back in Tsuruga City, our next stop is the Kehi Pine Grove, one of Japan’sThree Great Pine Groves. Japan’s Three Great Pine Groves are as follows:
- Niji no Matsubara (Saga Prefecture): Stretching in an arc along the coast of Karatsu Bay for approximately 4.5 km from east to west, this area is home to a grove of about 1 million black pine trees.
- Miho no Matsubara (Shizuoka Prefecture): Overlooking Suruga Bay, it is known for its white waves, the blue sea, and views of Mount Fuji. It is famous for the "Hagoromo Pine," associated with the legend of the celestial maiden.
- Kibi Pine Grove (Fukui Prefecture): Overlooking Tsuruga Bay, it has been designated as a National Scenic Spot.
I actually visited Miho no Matsubara on my last trip! The combination of Mount Fuji and the pine trees is absolutely breathtaking.
We arrived at 5:00 p.m., after dark, but the depth of the pine forest and the dynamic view stretching out to the sea were truly breathtaking.
It’s the kind of place where just taking a stroll feels like a refreshing experience.
For dinner, we enjoyed seafood at "Marusan-ya Tsuruga Ekimae"
We wrapped up our trip at Marusan-ya, a famous seafood restaurant in front of Tsuruga Station. Apparently, it was featured on the TV show *Banana Man: Sekkaku Gourmet*. There was a line of about 20 people, so we waited for about an hour.
What I ordered was
- Sashimi Set Meal
- Grilled Mackerel Set Meal
The sashimi is incredibly fresh, and the firm texture is delicious.
The grilled mackerel is rich in fat, juicy, and very filling.
It was a truly satisfying dinner, the perfect way to end our trip.
Highlights | Crab, the Ocean, and Stunning Views: A 2-Day, 1-Night Trip Packed with the Best of Fukui
Starting with a hot spring inn specializing in crab,
—from the natural beauty of Wakasa Bay and the breathtaking views of the Mikata-Goko Lakes to the fresh seafood of Tsuruga,
—it was a two-day, one-night trip packed with all the “delicious” and “beautiful” things Fukui has to offer.
It’s easily accessible from Osaka,
and makes for a highly satisfying weekend getaway.
Next time, I’d like to try the Sodomon Tour again on a day with good weather.
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