Top Fukui Prefecture Private and Luxury

A rare opportunity to see authentic knife making factories in the heart of the scenic Echizen area. Guests will also get to speak with real knife making craftsmen who dedicate their lives to making the world renown Echizen knives. For Japanese knife lovers, this is the perfect tour. For the tour, guests will get to check out amazing knife handles made at Yamaken Woodworks and then see how the blades are made at Ryuzen Hamono. Within the tour guests will also get to experience a part of the knife making process.

This private car tour from Tsuruga Port is designed especially for cruise travelers who want to experience the very best of Fukui in one seamless journey.The itinerary combines three of Fukui’s most celebrated highlights: the world-class Dinosaur Museum, where the mysteries of ancient life come alive; the serene Eiheiji Temple, a living center of Zen practice for nearly 800 years; and Echizen Washi Village, where traditional craftsmanship continues to thrive after more than a millennium. Each site reveals a different facet of Fukui—its scientific significance, its spiritual depth, and its artisanal creativity.This tour is perfect for travelers who value both comfort and authenticity, offering an in-depth look at the culture, history, and beauty of Fukui Prefecture. It is more than sightseeing—it is an immersive experience that connects you with Japan’s heritage in a truly memorable way.

Begin your tour at the Kehi Jingu Shrine, one of Japan’s three great torii gates. Walk under the massive wooden structure and explore a serene forested shrine complex. Continue to the Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse, a beautifully preserved site that now hosts cafés, local art shops, and maritime exhibits. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the waterfront with sea breezes and a view of passing ships. Next, learn about Tsuruga's unique role as a humanitarian gateway at the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum. Hear the inspiring story of Jewish refugees who arrived here during WWII thanks to Chiune Sugihara’s transit visas. Finish with a visit to the Tsuruga Fish Market or a local seafood restaurant to enjoy specialties like grilled mackerel (saba) or seasonal crab, caught fresh from the Sea of Japan.

Tour Attractions: Echizen Washi boasts 1,500 years of history and unparalleled quality. This experience combines traditional craftsmanship with modern creativity, offering a comprehensive programme of activities that will allow you to delve into the history, techniques, and culture of Echizen Washi in just a few hours. You will have the opportunity to make washi paper by hand and craft your own washi uchiwa (Japanese paper fans). The finished paper and fans will be yours to take home as unique and memorable keepsakes. This three-hour experience encapsulates all the charm and tradition of Echizen Washi Paper. Outline of the Echizen Washi Experience Tour: This immersive three-hour tour lets you explore the rich history and exceptional craftsmanship of washi paper. Set in Echizen, a region with 1,500 years of washi-making heritage, you’ll experience the living traditions of this remarkable craft by creating handmade washi in one of Japan’s most renowned production areas.

Kawada is a town of Echizen lacquerware with a history of 1500 years. It is said that Echizen lacquerware began when lacquer painting was encouraged after Keitai Tenno successfully repaired his broken crown with lacquer coating. On this tour, we will visit two lacquer workshops in the Kawada area. Kinkori Lacquerware Shop is a lacquer workshop with a history of over 100 years. Kinkori Lacquerware Store is a lacquerware workshop run by brothers in Kawada, the town of Echizen lacquerware. In this experience, you will receive direct instruction from your brother, Masataka Kinkori, a craftsman at Kinkori Lacquerware Store, and you will be able to try your hand at lacquering a bowl. Next, we will visit Iwano Heizaburo Paper Mill, a Japanese paper-making workshop in the Imadate area. Lastly, there was a calligraphy experience with calligrapher Kason Nishiyama at an old folk house next to the workshop.

【OUTLINE】 We will guide you to a secluded, closed-off quarry deep in the mountains while walking on forest roads and taking a forest bath! A tour to experience the world of Ghibli. The quarrying of stone began around 1887 (Meiji 20), approximately 140 years ago, but after the war, as cement became widely used as a building material, the demand for stone drastically decreased, and the mine was abandoned. We will guide you to another world on a mystical tour. 【HIGHLIGHTS】 A guide will take you through a secluded area that is usually off-limits. You can immerse yourself in an other-worldly experience unlike your daily life. Enjoy a forest bath in a space of tranquility.

Unleash your inner explorer on Tsuruga with a personalized journey, immersing yourself in its vibrant culture and serene hidden spots. Our custom tours provide a bespoke experience, tailored to your desires, ideal for adventure seekers, families with children, and culture enthusiasts alike. Discover local secrets, savor authentic moments, and create unforgettable memories on Tsuruga. Enjoy immersive cultural experiences, gain insider knowledge, and have memorable encounters with local traditions, ensuring a truly unique and enriching adventure.

Discover the essence of Washoku on an exclusive culinary journey in the historic port town of Tsuruga on the Sea of Japan. Visit Okui Kaiseido, a renowned kombu specialist with over 140 years of tradition. Guided by expert staff and an interpreter, explore the rarely opened Kuragakoi kombu aging warehouse through a special deep-dive route unavailable on standard tours. Learn how kombu transported from Hokkaido by historic Kitamae-bune ships matures in Tsuruga’s cool climate, developing deep umami through time and craftsmanship. Enjoy a live demonstration of “Oboro Kombu Suki” by a master craftsman, followed by a tasting that compares kombu of different aging vintages. The experience concludes with a luxurious sushi lunch made with the freshest local seafood. Travel in comfort with private executive transfers in a premium Grand Ace vehicle—an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and cuisine for discerning travelers.

OUTLINE This is a special program designed to help you learn about the culture of Mikuni-cho, Fukui Prefecture, through a multi-sensory shamisen experience. After gathering at Mikuni Station, we will stroll through the streets of this town that once flourished as a port. Following the walk, you will learn the basic playing techniques of the shamisen from a local instructor and experience the depth and charm of traditional Japanese music by actually playing the instrument. During the experience, there will be commentary on the region's history and the background of shamisen culture, and you can also enjoy interacting with local people. HIGHLIGHTS Shamisen Cultural Experience With commentary by a local guide Enjoy the unique streetscapes of Japan

The Echizen region of Fukui Prefecture has been designated as one of the "Six Ancient Kilns of Japan," and is well known for Echizen lacquerware, pottery, and cutlery. Come and try to make your own sake cup with the guidance of a craftsperson. Afterwards, go onto taste the region's traditional dishes at a soba restaurant and modern bar, try sake at a local sake brewery, and visit a chest-making workshop.

The Kawada district of Sabae City is a town of Echizen lacquerware with a history of 1500 years. Tour the roots of Echizen lacquerware on a lacquered bicycle, including the Lacquerware Shrine (Shikiyama Shrine), which enshrines the god of lacquerware, and a tour of a workshop led by a craftsman.

The scenic rural Echizen area is famous for its rich history of traditional Japanese crafts. One of these crafts is washi, or traditional Japanese paper. Come get a rare hands on experience of visiting authentic washi factories and speaking with craftsmen. Guests also get to try their hand at making their very own washi paper. Also as part of the tour, guests get to visit beautiful Otaki Shrine which is dedicated to the god of paper. *Washi factory may change due to availability.

Echizen washi paper, which boasts a history of over 1500 years, is a traditional craft that Fukui is proud of, and is used for labels of sake and whiskey due to its beauty and strength. After learning about sake brewing at one of Fukui's leading sake breweries, Symphony Yoshida Sake Brewery, where you can experience the Eiheiji terroir, the source of sake brewing that makes use of Fukui's climate, you can experience making a washi label for sake using sake lees and rice husks at Igarashi Seishi, a long-established Echizen washi paper workshop famous for its food paper, which has been in business for over 100 years. Create a one-of-a-kind sake bottle with your own original washi label and experience the charm of sake even more deeply. Why not enjoy a special experience that can only be had here, where you can experience Fukui's culture and artisanal skills?

Experience the profound spirituality and craftsmanship of Echizen Washi on a guided tour through its historic village. First, enjoy a hands-on paper-making experience under the guidance of skilled artisans. Next, visit a workshop specializing in large-format washi, highly sought after by artists. Finally, explore Otaki Shrine, renowned for its intricately crafted roof, considered one of the finest in Japan. Stroll along the riverside in this peaceful village and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Echizen Washi, which has been passed down for over 1,500 years.

Travel from Tsuruga Port to Eiheiji Temple, one of Japan’s most important Zen monasteries, where you can enjoy a peaceful cedar-forest setting and traditional monastic architecture. After exploring the temple, visit NOUSAKU Eiheiji Store for free time to have lunch (at your own expense) and join a hands-on tin amulet-making workshop. Following the experience, return to Tsuruga Port in time to reboard your ship. This premium shore excursion combines spiritual discovery with traditional craftsmanship. Guests experience the tranquil atmosphere of Eiheiji and create a unique souvenir inspired by Japanese culture. Designed exclusively for cruise passengers arriving at Tsuruga Port, the tour includes private transportation, an English-speaking guide, and a small-group setting of up to five guests, ensuring a comfortable and personalized cultural experience.