Tōjinbō

Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast


Legend says that these rock formations 25km northwest of Fukui came about when Tōjinbō, an evil priest, was cast off the cliff by angry villagers in 1182; the sea surged for 49 days thereafter, a demonstration of the priest's fury from beyond his watery grave. To see the rocks, visitors can take a boat trip (¥1400, 30 minutes) or ascend the gaudy tower (¥500).

To get to Tōjinbō from Fukui city, catch a train to Awara Onsen Station (futsū ¥320, 16 minutes) and then a bus (¥750, 40 minutes).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast attractions

1. Zenshō-ji

10.83 MILES

The Daishōji Station area is crammed with temples, including Zenshō-ji, which houses more than 500 amusingly carved Buddhist arhat sculptures.

2. Kutaniyaki Porcelain Art Museum

10.95 MILES

Stunning examples of bright and colourful local porcelain are on display here, about an eight-minute walk from Daishōji Station.

3. Yokokan Garden

13.74 MILES

This quaint garden, formerly a mansion of the Matsudaira clan, has a pretty teahouse where you can sit in silence and contemplate life, or feed the…

4. Motorcar Museum of Japan

18.47 MILES

You're likely to be a little astounded by this collection of more than 500 pristine Japanese (and foreign) vehicles housed over three floors, in a massive…

5. Daihonzan Eihei-ji

18.63 MILES

In 1244 the great Zen master Dōgen (1200–53), founder of the Sōtō sect of Zen Buddhism, established Eihei-ji, the 'Temple of Eternal Peace', in a forest…

6. Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Ruins

19.76 MILES

Designated a national historic site, this out-of-the-way place features one of the largest town ruins in Japan, dating from the early 15th century. It's…

7. Fukui Dinosaur Museum

24.27 MILES

Kids love the larger-than-life replicas and fossilised relics of the Jurassic Park–styled Fukui Dinosaur Museum, one of the three largest museums of its…

8. Echizen Ōno-jō

27.08 MILES

Atop a hill overlooking the town, this little yamashiro (mountain castle) is a true delight, even if it is a replica and you have to climb all those…

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