From Kanazawa: Mountain Monastery, Dinosaur Museum & Great Buddha

Long overlooked by most visitors to Japan, Fukui Prefecture became far easier to reach with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2024. Venture further into the region, though, and you'll still find sides of Fukui that remain refreshingly untouched. On this tour, you will visit some of Fukui's remote highlights in just a single day. - Walk the covered corridors of Daihonzan Eiheiji, a mountainside temple founded more than 780 years ago and now one of the two head temples of Sōtō Zen Buddhism - Explore the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, a world-leading collection of animatronics, real fossils, and exhibits spanning the ancient world - Stand before the Echizen Great Buddha (17m): the tallest indoor seated Buddha in Japan - Ascend Japan's tallest five-story pagoda (75m) for sweeping views over Katsuyama

1. 1

   Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple

   2 hours

   Founded in 1244 by Zen master Dōgen, Eiheiji remains one of the two head temples of Sōtō Zen Buddhism, and the complex still functions as a working monastery today where you may see monks going about their daily practice as you walk the covered wooden corridors connecting the temple's many halls. Towering cedar trees, some centuries old, line the grounds, and your guide will walk you through the temple's history and significance in Japanese Buddhism.

2. 2

   Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

   3 hours

   Explore the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, ranked among the top three dinosaur museums in the world. Your guide will walk you through some of the museum's highlights, covering the history of dinosaur discoveries in Japan and Fukui. From there, you're free to continue exploring at your own pace, whether that means the museum's wider earth science exhibits, its outdoor parks, or a break at cafe to enjoy dinosaur themed treats.

3. 3

   Echizen Daibutsu

   1 hour

   Officially known as Daishizan Seidaiji Temple. The Buddha statue here is taller than the Great Buddhas of both Nara and Kamakura, and is flanked by more than 1,281 smaller statues lining the hall's walls. The grandness of the hall is breathtaking, and despite its size, it's quiet enough for a moment of peaceful self-reflection. Also within the temple complex is the Kuryūden, or "Nine Dragon Hall," home to a reproduction of the Kyūryūheki, a Nine-Dragon Wall relief from Beijing's Beihai Park. In Chinese tradition, dragons symbolize imperial power and good fortune, and walls like this one historically stood guarding the entrances to significant spaces. Its placement here is a deliberate nod to the Kuzuryū River or the "Nine-Headed Dragon River" which flows right through this valley. Lastly, we will visit Japan's tallest five-story pagoda. The 75-meter building is climbable, with an elevator up to a viewpoint offering a beautiful view out over Katsuyama City.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• In winter, the temperatures will be below 10℃ at the high , and in the morning and evening may be close to or below 0℃. Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for snowy and cold conditions. There may also be snow and ice on the road/sidewalk, and so you should take care to not slip by preparing the correct shoes for such conditions.
• There will be free time along the way for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and staff will assist you immediately.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.