Eiheiji Temple and Fukui City Course

Eiheiji is a great Zen training temple with over seven hundred years of history. Walking its corridors, wrapped in deep cedar forest, quietly settles the mind. In the afternoon you descend to central Fukui to feel the energy of the old castle town at the castle ruins and shopping streets. This course links stillness and liveliness in a single day.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Eiheiji Greeted by mossy stone steps and giant cedars, walk the corridors that connect the temple halls. The sight of training monks straightens your posture.

11:00 Vegetarian temple cuisine in the gate town Enjoy the deep, gentle flavors of dishes like sesame tofu and soba that let the ingredients shine.

12:30 Move to central Fukui About thirty minutes by car or bus takes you from rice fields to city scenery.

13:30 Stroll Fukui Castle ruins At the ruins with their stone walls and moat, touch the history of the castle town of the Echizen Matsudaira family.

15:00 Shopping on the arcade Pick up Fukui specialties such as Echizen washi paper and local sake.

16:30 Rest in front of Fukui Station Take in the dinosaur monuments and savor the afterglow of the trip.

Highlights

The solemn stillness of Eiheiji deep in the mountains and the warmth of the castle town of Fukui: this contrast is the heart of the course. The dappled light streaming through the corridors is a beauty worth photographing.

Access and Tips

A direct bus runs from Fukui Station to Eiheiji. The city center is compact and can be covered on foot or by tram. Visits to Eiheiji call for quiet, so the calm morning hours are best.

A Quick Tip

At Eiheiji, keep your voice low and walk the corridors at a slow pace. After settling your mind, the city stroll feels more vivid than usual.