Things to Do in Sakai (坂井市), Fukui: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Sakai (坂井市) in Fukui Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Maruoka Castle, one of the 100 Famous Castles of Japan, Maruoka Domain Battery, National Historic Site and served by Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) via the regional hub at Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen). Set at 5 m elevation (36.1669°N, 136.2314°E), Sakai 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 Awara (あわら市) (4.9 km), Fukui (福井市) (11.5 km), Eiheiji (永平寺町) (15.3 km), Kaga (加賀市) (16.9 km).

Sakai is located in far northern Fukui Prefecture, bordered by the city of Awara and Ishikawa Prefecture to the north and the Sea of Japan to the northeast, The city of Fukui borders the city to the south. The Kuzuryū River flows through the city to the Sea of Japan. Sakai is part of the ancient Echizen Province. The semi-legendary Kofun period Emperor Keitai is said to have come from the area that is now the Maruoka neighbourhood of Sakai. Sakai is a regional commercial center with a mixed economy. Within Fukui Prefecture, Sakai (坂井市) serves as a city in Fukui Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2006-03-20) 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 Sakai (坂井市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Sakai (坂井市) from Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) at 5 m elevation (36.1669°N, 136.2314°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Sakai):

• Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park — local sightseeing landmark near Sakai (坂井市).
• Maruoka Castle, one of the 100 Famous Castles of Japan — local sightseeing landmark near Sakai (坂井市).
• Maruoka Domain Battery, National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Sakai (坂井市).
• Mikuni Onsen — local sightseeing landmark near Sakai (坂井市).
• Rokuroseyama Kofun Cluster, National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Sakai (坂井市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Sakai: Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) (connecting to Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Sakai

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Sakai (坂井市) and Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Fukui Prefecture and Chubu:

• Awara (あわら市) — 4.9 km from Sakai (Fukui Prefecture)
• Fukui (福井市) — 11.5 km from Sakai (Fukui Prefecture)
• Eiheiji (永平寺町) — 15.3 km from Sakai (Fukui Prefecture)
• Kaga (加賀市) — 16.9 km from Sakai (Ishikawa Prefecture)
• Sabae (鯖江市) — 23.8 km from Sakai (Fukui Prefecture)

Getting to Sakai & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Sakai (坂井市) via Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 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 Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) to reach central Sakai (36.1669°N, 136.2314°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Fukui with Sakai (坂井市) and neighboring Awara, Fukui, Eiheiji. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Sakai, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Sakai and continuing toward Awara 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 Sakai: While Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) anchors public transit for Sakai, picking up a rental car at Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park and Maruoka Castle, one of the 100 Famous Castles of Japan with nearby Awara (あわら市) (4.9 km), Fukui (福井市) (11.5 km), Eiheiji (永平寺町) (15.3 km), Kaga (加賀市) (16.9 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Sakai (坂井市) & Fukui

Dining near Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) and across Sakai (坂井市) highlights the regional food culture of Fukui Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Sakai:

• Local specialty & terroir of Sakai (坂井市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Echizen Gani (imperial yellow-tag snow crab) — regional specialty enjoyed across Sakai (坂井市) and Fukui Prefecture.
• Echizen oroshi soba (cold buckwheat noodles with spicy grated daikon) — regional specialty enjoyed across Sakai (坂井市) and Fukui Prefecture.
• Sauce katsudon — regional specialty enjoyed across Sakai (坂井市) and Fukui Prefecture.
• Wakasa fugu & grilled mackerel (hamayaki saba) — regional specialty enjoyed across Sakai (坂井市) and Fukui Prefecture.

If you are dining in Sakai (坂井市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km).

Where to Stay in Sakai (坂井市)

Visitors staying overnight in Sakai (坂井市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Fukui (Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen)) or neighboring Awara, Fukui, Eiheiji for quick train access into Sakai. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Sakai & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Sakai (坂井市, 5 m elevation at 36.1669°N, 136.2314°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 Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park in Sakai (坂井市) 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 Sakai (坂井市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Sakai: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Fukui Station & Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) or Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) for local bus schedules to Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park and walking maps of Sakai (坂井市).
• Cash & ATMs in Sakai: Convenience stores and major hotels around Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Sakai accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Sakai: Around Maruoka Station (丸岡駅) (0.5 km) and neighboring Awara, Fukui, Eiheiji, 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.