5 Photogenic Buildings and Townscapes in Fukui

Scattered throughout Fukui Prefecture are historic buildings and beautifully preserved streetscapes that beg to be photographed. This is a region known to those in the know as a hidden treasure trove of architectural beauty. Why not set out on a journey to discover these remarkable places?

1. Maruoka Castle | The Sole Surviving Castle Keep in Hokuriku Glowing with Presence

Maruoka Castle, Hokuriku's only surviving original keep, is breathtakingly beautiful when wrapped in morning mist — true to its nickname "Kasumi-ga-jo" (Castle of Mist). Shooting the stone-built keep from a low angle looking upward makes a striking composition against the sky. The spring cherry blossom season is an absolute must-see, with the dramatic contrast between soft pink blossoms and the dark roof tiles. The exterior can be photographed from inside the park even in the early morning hours, but interior viewing is 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30), with an admission fee of ¥450 for adults and ¥150 for elementary and junior high school students (combined ticket with "Ippitsu Keijo — Japan's Shortest Letter Museum" and other facilities). Please note: Maruoka Castle keep is currently undergoing preservation and repair work including earthquake-proofing from March 2026 to November 2027 (scheduled). During certain periods, scaffolding and coverings may obstruct the exterior view, and entry to the keep may not be possible. Be sure to check the latest access status on the Maruoka Castle official website before visiting.

Access: From JR "Awara-Onsen Station," take the Keifuku Bus (toward Eiheiji) for approx. 20 minutes, alight at "Maruoka-jo" (right in front of the castle)

2. Kumagawa-juku | A Post Town That Transports You to the Edo Period

Kumagawa-juku flourished as a post town on the "Saba Kaido" (Mackerel Road) connecting Wakasa and Kyoto. The stone-paved street lined with white-walled townhouses feels like a genuine journey back to the Edo period. The morning raking light as it falls across the stone pavement is when the scene is at its most picturesque. A single-point perspective composition taking advantage of the street's depth is recommended. The combination of autumn foliage and old townhouses is also exceptional.

Access: Approx. 15 minutes by bus from JR "Kaminaka Station"

3. Former Kishina Residence | An Edo-Period Townhouse Remaining at Mikuni Minato

The former Kishina Residence, standing along "Mikuni Minato Kitamae-dori" in Sakai City, Mikuni Town (not Fukui City), is the townhouse where timber merchant Kijina Sonosuke and his family lived for generations. The nostalgic atmosphere of white plaster walls and lattice windows pairs beautifully with film-style photo processing. On overcast days, the absence of shadows allows the texture of the building to be captured evenly and beautifully. Shooting through the lattice to glimpse the interior is also quite photogenic.

Access: Approx. 10-minute walk from Echizen Railway Mikuni-Awara Line "Mikuni Station." Open 9:00–17:00; closed every Wednesday (or the next non-holiday if Wednesday is a public holiday) and year-end/New Year (Dec. 29–Jan. 3); admission ¥100.

4. Wakasa Saba Kaido Kumagawa-juku Resource Museum "Shukuba-kan" | The Aesthetic of Retro Meets Japanese Modern

The Shukuba-kan in Kumagawa-juku is a Western-style building constructed in Showa 15 (1940) as the Kumagawa Village Hall, later renovated in Heisei 9 (1997) into a resource museum conveying the history of the Saba Kaido. The contrast with the surrounding traditional Japanese townhouses creates a uniquely distinctive atmosphere. Incorporating the vivid green of spring through summer as a background makes for a richly colorful image. Admission is ¥200; closed Mondays. A symmetrical composition shooting straight-on from the building's front is especially recommended.

Access: Approx. 15 minutes by bus from JR "Kaminaka Station"

5. Asuwa River Cherry Tree Promenade | A Tunnel of Cherry Blossoms Along the River

Along the embankment of the Asuwa River flowing through central Fukui City, cherry trees line the banks, and in spring you can enjoy a landscape that feels like a tunnel of blossoms (note: Fukui Prefectural History Museum is not along the Asuwa River — it is located in the northeast part of the city, a separate area). At dusk, a composition from the bridge incorporating the color of the sky reflected in the river along with cherry blossoms (in spring) or a snowy scene (in winter) is overwhelmingly romantic. Aim for a low-angle shot with attention to reflections, to capture a one-of-a-kind image.

Access: Approx. 20-minute walk from JR "Fukui Station"

Fukui's retro architecture and historic townscapes hold a strangely captivating charm — at once nostalgic and fresh. Consider adding Fukui to your next travel itinerary.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season and time of day: Maruoka Castle is at its best with the cherry blossoms (early April) and in the early morning mist. Kumagawa-juku suits the low morning light and the autumn leaves. The row of cherry trees along the Asuwa River is best at dusk in early April.
• Opening hours and closing days: Maruoka Castle is open 8:30-17:00 (entry until 16:30). The former Kishina Residence is open 9:00-17:00 and closed every Wednesday (or, when Wednesday is a public holiday, on the first following day that is not a holiday) and over the New Year period (December 29 to January 3). The Shukubakan museum of the Wakasa Saba Kaido at Kumagawa-juku is closed on Mondays.
• Fees: Maruoka Castle costs 450 yen for adults and 150 yen for elementary and junior high school pupils (a combined ticket that also covers the Ippitsu Keijo Museum of Japan's Shortest Letters and other facilities). The former Kishina Residence is 100 yen. The Shukubakan is 200 yen. Strolling through the townscapes of Kumagawa-juku and Mikuni Minato, and the cherry trees along the Asuwa River, are free of charge.
• Access: Maruoka Castle - about 20 minutes from JR Awara-Onsen Station by Keifuku Bus (bound for Eiheiji), getting off at Maruokajo, which is right there. The former Kishina Residence - about a 10-minute walk from Mikuni Station on the Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line (not from Fukui Station). Kumagawa-juku and the Shukubakan - by bus from Kaminaka Station on the JR Obama Line. The cherry trees along the Asuwa River - about a 20-minute walk from JR Fukui Station.
• Parking: The number of spaces and the fees differ at each facility. Please check the official websites for the latest information.
• Photography rules: Kumagawa-juku and the Kitamae-dori street of Mikuni Minato are places where people live. Do not enter the grounds of private houses or shops without permission. Follow the instructions of each facility as to whether photography and tripods are allowed inside the former Kishina Residence and the Shukubakan.
• Safety notes: The keep of Maruoka Castle is undergoing conservation and repair work, including earthquake-resistance measures, from March 2026 until November 2027 (scheduled). There will be periods when the exterior is hidden by scaffolding roofs and coverings, and periods when the keep cannot be entered. The stairways in this original surviving keep are extremely steep, and there are sections where you go up and down using a rope. Leave your bags behind and keep both hands free as you climb.

* The areas of Maruoka Castle open to visitors change as the work progresses. Always check the latest opening situation on the official Maruoka Castle website and the Sakai City official website before you set out.

(Sources: Maruoka Castle official website; Sakai City official website and Sakai City official tourist guide; Wakasa Town official website; Fukui Prefecture official tourism site Fukui.com)