Things to Do in Awara (あわら市), Fukui: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Awara (あわら市) in Fukui Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Awara Onsen, Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park, site of Yoshizaki-gobō, National Historic Site and served by Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) via the regional hub at Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen). Set at 5 m elevation (36.2113°N, 136.2290°E), Awara offers travelers a base for sampling regional Echizen Gani (imperial yellow-tag snow crab), Echizen oroshi soba (cold buckwheat noodles with spicy grated daikon), Sauce katsudon cuisine and exploring neighboring Sakai (坂井市) (4.9 km), Kaga (加賀市) (12.8 km), Fukui (福井市) (16.4 km), Eiheiji (永平寺町) (19.1 km).

It is one of the few "hiragana cities" in Japan. Awara is a city famous for its onsen resorts and natural hotwater springs. Awara is the northernmost municipality in Fukui Prefecture, and is bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the north and the Sea of Japan to the northeast, The city of Sakai surrounds the city to the east, south and west. The northern portionof the city is on the slightly elevated Kaetsu Plateau, the southern part of the Fukui Plain, and the eastern portion which contains Mount Kariyasu. Awara is part of ancient Echizen Province. Within Fukui Prefecture, Awara (あわら市) serves as a city in Fukui Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2004-03-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (Katsuyama), serene Zen headquarters of Eiheiji Temple, dramatic Tojinbo sea cliffs (Sakai), Maruoka Castle, and Ichijodani Asakura Ruins.

What to See & Do in Awara (あわら市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Awara (あわら市) from Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) at 5 m elevation (36.2113°N, 136.2290°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Awara):

• Awara Onsen — local sightseeing landmark near Awara (あわら市).
• Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park — local sightseeing landmark near Awara (あわら市).
• site of Yoshizaki-gobō, National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Awara (あわら市).
• Fujino Genkuro Memorial Hall — local sightseeing landmark near Awara (あわら市).
• Kitagata Lake (6.6 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Awara (あわら市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Awara: Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) (connecting to Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Awara

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Awara (あわら市) and Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Fukui Prefecture and Chubu:

• Sakai (坂井市) — 4.9 km from Awara (Fukui Prefecture)
• Kaga (加賀市) — 12.8 km from Awara (Ishikawa Prefecture)
• Fukui (福井市) — 16.4 km from Awara (Fukui Prefecture)
• Eiheiji (永平寺町) — 19.1 km from Awara (Fukui Prefecture)
• Sabae (鯖江市) — 28.6 km from Awara (Fukui Prefecture)

Getting to Awara & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Awara (あわら市) via Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km): 2h 50m direct from Tokyo Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, or 55m from Kyoto/Osaka on the JR Thunderbird to Tsuruga + Hokuriku Shinkansen. From Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) to reach central Awara (36.2113°N, 136.2290°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Fukui with Awara (あわら市) and neighboring Sakai, Kaga, Fukui. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Awara, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Awara and continuing toward Sakai can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Awara: While Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) anchors public transit for Awara, picking up a rental car at Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Awara Onsen and Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park with nearby Sakai (坂井市) (4.9 km), Kaga (加賀市) (12.8 km), Fukui (福井市) (16.4 km), Eiheiji (永平寺町) (19.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Awara (あわら市) & Fukui

Dining near Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) and across Awara (あわら市) highlights the regional food culture of Fukui Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Awara:

• Local specialty & terroir of Awara (あわら市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside Edo-period highway post-town (shukuba) heritage and regional trade routes.
• Echizen Gani (imperial yellow-tag snow crab) — regional specialty enjoyed across Awara (あわら市) and Fukui Prefecture.
• Echizen oroshi soba (cold buckwheat noodles with spicy grated daikon) — regional specialty enjoyed across Awara (あわら市) and Fukui Prefecture.
• Sauce katsudon — regional specialty enjoyed across Awara (あわら市) and Fukui Prefecture.
• Wakasa fugu & grilled mackerel (hamayaki saba) — regional specialty enjoyed across Awara (あわら市) and Fukui Prefecture.

If you are dining in Awara (あわら市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km).

Where to Stay in Awara (あわら市)

Visitors staying overnight in Awara (あわら市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km), or base at major rail hubs in Fukui (Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen)) or neighboring Sakai, Kaga, Fukui for quick train access into Awara. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Awara & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Awara (あわら市, 5 m elevation at 36.2113°N, 136.2290°E): April for Asuwa River cherry tunnel; November 6–March 20 for Echizen snow crab season; autumn for Eiheiji temple maples.

Wider sightseeing across Fukui Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Awara Onsen in Awara (あわら市) includes: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (Katsuyama), serene Zen headquarters of Eiheiji Temple, dramatic Tojinbo sea cliffs (Sakai), Maruoka Castle, and Ichijodani Asakura Ruins.

Practical Travel Tips for Awara (あわら市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Awara: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) or Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) for local bus schedules to Awara Onsen and walking maps of Awara (あわら市).
• Cash & ATMs in Awara: Convenience stores and major hotels around Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Awara Onsen often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Awara accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Awara: Around Awara Onsen Station (芦原温泉駅) (0.7 km) and neighboring Sakai, Kaga, Fukui, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.