Tojinbo Cliffs and Awara Onsen Course

Tojinbo is a wall of columnar cliffs carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. After taking in this bold scenery, you unwind at Awara Onsen, a hot spring town with over a century of history. This classic Sakai-area route lets you feel the power of the sea and the softness of the springs in a single day. The columnar joint rock wall, designated a Natural Monument of Japan, is of a scale rare even in the world.

Course Route

9:30 Start at Tojinbo Walk along the columnar cliffs and feel the sea breeze and the sound of crashing waves. In places the cliffs reach about 25 meters above the sea, and the force is overwhelming. The observation tower offers views all the way to the Echizen coast.

11:30 See the cliffs from a sightseeing boat Board the Tojinbo sightseeing boat to look up at the cliffs from the water. One loop takes about 30 minutes, and fares are 1,800 yen for adults, 900 yen for children (elementary school), and free for preschoolers. It operates from 9:00 to 16:00 in the regular season and is closed on Wednesdays. Looking up at the cliffs from the sea, you are struck again by their height and force.

12:30 Lunch at the Tojinbo shopping street Enjoy a seafood bowl or grilled squid made from the fresh bounty of the Sea of Japan. The shopping street sits right by the cliffs, and eating as you walk is fun too.

14:00 Move to Awara Onsen About twenty minutes by car brings you to a hot spring town set among rice fields. Local buses also connect the two points.

14:30 Stroll the hot spring town Relax with foot baths, spring hopping, and local sweet shops. Awara Onsen is a historic spring town that opened in the Meiji era, and there is a free foot bath by the station.

16:00 Rest in the springs Soak in the gentle waters and wash away the fatigue of the day. Some inns accept day-use bathing, so you can enjoy the springs without staying overnight.

Highlights

The contrast between the sheer scale of Tojinbo and the calm comfort of Awara Onsen is the charm of this course. At dusk the cliffs glow red as sky and sea turn amber, making an unforgettable scene. The columnar joints, a Natural Monument, are geologically valuable, and up close their formation is a marvel.

Practical Travel Notes

Time Needed The stroll at Tojinbo and the sightseeing boat fill the morning nicely, and spring hopping at Awara Onsen fills the afternoon for a full day itinerary. The boat runs about 30 minutes and, including waiting time, can be enjoyed in about an hour.

Getting Around Tojinbo is easily reached by car or bus from Fukui Station. You can also take the Echizen Railway to Awara Yunomachi Station and a Keifuku bus to Tojinbo, about 30 minutes from Awara Yunomachi Station. Tojinbo and Awara Onsen are close by car, and local buses connect them as well.

Avoiding Crowds and What to Wear Winds are often strong on the coast, so bring a jacket to stay comfortable. Some cliff edges have no railings, so watch your footing as you walk. The boat may be suspended in bad weather, so checking the day's operating status is reassuring.

Budget Sense The main costs are the sightseeing boat (1,800 yen for adults) plus transport, lunch, and the Awara Onsen bathing fee. Strolling Tojinbo itself is free. Note that the boat fare is set to be revised in August 2026, so the official site is the sure place to confirm the latest price.

A Quick Tip

Since this is also a famous sunset spot, if you have time, stay on the cliffs until evening and watch the sun sink into the Sea of Japan before heading to the springs.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Tojinbo Tower: Admission is 500 yen for adults (junior high school age and above) and 300 yen for children. Open 9:00-17:00 (until 16:30 in winter). 0776-81-3700
• Awara Onsen Ashiyu foot bath: A foot bath in Awara Onsen Yunomachi Hiroba, free to use. Open 7:00-23:00, all year round (towels are sold for a fee)
• Enquiries: 0776-81-3808 (Tojinbo Sightseeing Boat) / 0776-78-6767 (Awara City Tourism Association, the designated manager of Ashiyu) / 0776-50-3152 (Sakai City Tourism and Exchange Division)
• Official information: Sakai City official website, Tojinbo / Awara City official website, Awara Onsen Ashiyu

Note: The above is a guide based on information published by the respective facilities and local authorities. Hours and fees are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.