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The Charms of Sakai City

Situated in the northern part of Fukui Prefecture, Sakai City has a diverse array of scenery for your viewing pleasure, including spectacular views of the Sea of Japan, retro townscapes, historic sites, and spots teeming with greenery. Some spots to add to your travel itinerary include the powerful Tojinbo Cliffs; Mikuni Minato, a town that flourished as a port of call for the Kitamaebune cargo ship trade; Maruoka Castle, home to one of Japan’s remaining twelve original castle towers; and the Takeda area, which is surrounded by mountains and full of nature. Foodies also love this former port town for its fresh seafood, such as the famous Echizen crab and Fukui sweet shrimp.

Tojinbo and Oshima

A prominent columnar joint rock formation

Located within Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Tojinbo is a series of columnar joints that has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument of Japan. It stretches along the shoreline for about a kilometer, painting a powerful scene that has put it as one of the three best natural works of art in the world. It was created over a period of more than 10 million years by the raging waves of the Sea of Japan. Made of dacite, a type of volcanic rock, this type of natural formation is hard to find worldwide.
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Mikuni Minato

A nostalgic neighborhood that preserves the history of Kitamaebune

Mikuni Minato is located at the mouth of the Kuzuryu River, the largest river in Fukui Prefecture. Its name, Mikuni, is mentioned in documents dating back over 1,000 years. The area once served as a distribution center for water transportation and logistics on the Kuzuryu River and its tributaries, such as the Asuwa River, in ancient times. These paths eventually became part of larger maritime routes and then trade with Kitamaebune cargo ships began, turning Mikuni into a flourishing port town. Today, Mikuni Minato still retains the history and culture left behind by the Kitamaebune trade, as well as its charming old-time townhouses and historical buildings with vestiges of the wealthy merchants of the past.
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Maruoka Castle

The only surviving castle keep in the Hokuriku region

Maruoka Castle is home to one of Japan’s remaining 12 original castle towers. This castle keep also happens to be the only one with a slate roof. It was built in 1576 by Katsutoyo Shibata, a nephew of general Katsuie Shibata, by order of Nobunaga Oda in preparation for the Ikko Ikki rebellion. Visitors can get a glimpse into the battles that took place during those days by paying close attention to the interior of the keep, which has, for example, little windows and openings soldiers used to throw stones at the enemies. Near the castle are facilities such as the Maruoka Museum of History and Folklore that explains the history of Maruoka Castle and the Brief Messages from the Heart Museum.
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Takeda

A tranquil village in the mountains known for its weeping cherries

Takeda is a quiet mountain hamlet in the easternmost part of Sakai City. Blessed with an abundance of nature, it is home to around 800 weeping cherry trees that go into full bloom from mid- to late April. Takekurabe Plaza, a multipurpose leisure facility, is a particular must-see as at night, its 100 weeping cherry trees light up to create a magical sight. There are many ways to enjoy Takeda’s stunning natural surroundings, such as kayaking and trekking.
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