Echizen Railway

One of the oldest surviving castle keeps, it is said that whenever enemies attacked, the castle would be shrouded in thick fog, creating a natural shield, earning it the nickname ""Castle of Mist."" Inside, a steep 67-degree staircase requires a rope to climb. Visitors can ascend to the top floor for stunning views of Sakai City. Explore the history and enjoy the breathtaking vistas from Maruoka Castle's highest point. Every spring, around 400 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom here. This spot has been selected as one of Japan’s “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots,” making it a must-visit destination for sakura viewing.

Tsuruga Port is the only port in Japan that accepted Polish orphans in the 1920s and Jewish refugees in the 1940s. The "Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum" showcases their stories of hardship in reaching Tsuruga and the history of local citizens extending help, conveying the importance of life and the value of peace. The museum’s exterior recreates the architecture of Tsuruga Port from the Taisho to early Showa periods, and inside, exhibits detail the port’s rich history. The museum’s exterior replicates the architecture of Tsuruga Port from the Taisho to early Showa periods, and inside, there are exhibits detailing the history of the port.

This is an interactive aquarium that focuses on ""watching,"" ""touching,"" and ""fun learning."" Popular attractions include the exciting dolphin performance show and the adorable penguin parade. Guests can get up close and touch a variety of sea creatures such as seals, starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, coelacanths, sharks, and more. The transparent floor aquarium allows for a close-up view of colorful tropical fish swimming around the coral reef, making you feel as if you’re floating in the ocean.

The Ichijodani Asakura Family Site Museum preserve an entire castle town once ruled by a Sengoku-period warlord. Built by the Asakura clan, who governed the Echizen region (present-day Fukui Prefecture) during the Warring States period, it is the only site of its kind in Japan and has been designated a Special Historic Site of National Significance. Serving as the gateway to these ruins, the Ichijodani Asakura Family Site Museum opened in 2022. Inside the museum, you’ll find highlights such as life-sized reconstructions of buildings from the Asakura Residence where Asakura Yoshikage once lived, an open-air display of stone-paved remains from Ichijo no Irie, believed to have been a port and trade hub, and a detailed 1:30 scale model of the castle town — all offering an immersive look into the past.