Katsuyama Travel Guide

Plan your trip to Katsuyama with our comprehensive travel guide, featuring top attractions, food and drink recommendations, and helpful tips for a safe and enjoyable trip.


Introduction to Katsuyama

Katsuyama is a charming city located in Fukui Prefecture, in the Chubu region of Japan. The city is famous for its rich cultural heritage, surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, and offers a glimpse of the traditional Japanese lifestyle. Katsuyama is ideal for exploring museums, hiking/biking trails, natural hot springs, and local culture.

List of Places to Visit in Katsuyama

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  1. Dinosaur Museum: A world-renowned museum showcasing the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in Japan. The museum offers a hands-on experience to discover the world of dinosaurs and their habitats.

  2. Eiheiji Temple: A historical temple with over 750 years of history. It is known for Zen Buddhism and its peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can take part in meditation and taste vegetarian cuisine, which is a part of zen practice.

  3. Nishiyama Koryuji Temple: A Buddhist temple with a stunning garden and a historic gate. The temple houses exquisite paintings and sculptures, with each piece reflecting traditional Japanese architecture.

Natural Attractions of Katsuyama: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  1. Mikata Five Lakes: A group of five stunning interconnected lakes in the Mikata area with crystal clear and blue-green water. The area is also home to forests, waterfalls, and hot springs.

  2. Mount Hakusan: A stunning mountain range filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush vegetation, and clear streams. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, nature walks, or just take in the breathtaking panoramic view from the summit.

  3. Tojinbo Cliffs: A scenic cliff located on the Sea of Japan coast, where visitors can admire the magnificent waves crashing against the rocky formations. These cliffs are a national natural treasure and offer a beautiful contrast to the sea.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Katsuyama

  1. Mount Hakusan trails: There are several trails available for hikers and mountain climbers of all levels. One of the most popular routes is the Hakusan Trail that leads to the summit of the mountain, offering beautiful views.

  2. Katsuyama City Hiking Trail: A 15km-long hiking trail that passes through beautiful forests and quaint towns. It offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in natural beauty and experience the local culture.

Best Things to Do in Katsuyama: Activities and Tours

  1. Japanese Sake Brewery Tours: Katsuyama is famous for its local brew, and visitors can take a tour of the breweries to learn about the process and sample some delicious sake.

  2. Katsuyama Fishing Experience: Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese fishing techniques such as ayu fishing.

  3. Local Cultural Experience: Take part in cultural experiences such as traditional tea ceremony, pottery making, and calligraphy.

Week-Long Itinerary for Katsuyama

Day Activities
Day 1 Visit Dinosaur Museum and explore surrounding parks
Day 2 Visit Eiheiji Temple and participate in meditation and have a traditional vegetarian meal before walking the grounds
Day 3 Take on Mount Hakusan trails or other scenic hikes around the city
Day 4 Explore the local culture: Participate in tea ceremony, calligraphy or other traditional art
Day 5 Visit Nishiyama Koryuji Temple and take in architecture and exquisite art
Day 6 Go on a Japanese Sake Brewery Tour
Day 7 Explore the scenic Mikata Five Lakes area

Food and Drink Scene of Katsuyama

Must-Try Dishes

  1. Echizen Soba: A type of soba noodle made from locally sourced soba flour and a hit amongst locals
  2. Echizen-gani: A Japanese crab caught in the Sea of Japan, available all year round
  3. Oroshi Soba: Soba noodles served cold with grated Japanese radish and soy sauce, perfect for summer days

Local Beverages

  1. Japanese Sake: Katsuyama sake has a unique flavor and character that is a must-try when visiting
  2. Banyu-cold: This locally produced water with crisp taste and texture and low mineral content is extremely popular and healthy.
  3. Hakkaisan Tonic Water: made from pure snowmelt from Mount Hakusan, this tonic is refreshing with a sweetness that water cannot compete with.

Where to Stay in Katsuyama: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

  1. Hotel Heisaura: A luxurious hotel located in the breathtaking natural surroundings of Katsuyama.

  2. Akanaso: A traditional Japanese-style ryokan located near the Mikata Five Lakes that offers scenic views and comfortable accommodation.

  3. Yubara Onsen Kyukamura: A traditional Japanese-style hotel near the Yubara hot springs that serves delicious, locally sourced cuisine.

What to Buy in Katsuyama: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  1. Echizen Washi: Traditional Japanese paper made by hand from mulberry trees and used for calligraphy, bookbinding, and other art forms.
  2. Echizen Lacquerware: A traditional craft for decorating wooden wares with a lustrous finish.
  3. Echizen pottery: Traditional pottery crafted locally using techniques that are centuries-old.

Local Culture and Customs of Katsuyama

  1. Omiai: A traditional Japanese matchmaking and courting practice that aims to bring couples together. It is still prevalent in Katsuyama and other parts of Japan.

  2. Fukui Wind Bells: These traditional Japanese wind bells are a symbol of Fukui’s rich cultural heritage and history.

  3. Cherry Blossom Viewing: Celebrate the annual cherry blossom season by taking a stroll through the city’s parks and gardens to admire the blossoms in full bloom.

Best Time to Visit Katsuyama

The best time to visit Katsuyama is during the fall season, which runs from September to November. During this time, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the changing leaves and participate in the city’s fall festivals.

Do’s and Don’ts of Katsuyama

Do:

  1. Respect local customs and traditions.

  2. Try the local cuisine and drinks.

  3. Take your shoes off when entering someone’s home or a temple.

Don’t:

  1. Litter or smoke in public places.

  2. Leave chopsticks in your rice bowl.

  3. Talk loudly on your phone while on trains or other public transportation.

Safety and Health

Safety in Katsuyama

Katsuyama is generally considered a safe city. Like any other city, however, it’s important to take standard precautionary measures, like avoiding dark areas or walking alone at night.

Health in Katsuyama

Visitors should consider drinking bottled water rather than tap water. Ongoing occupational radiation monitoring has confirmed that radiation levels in the area are within safe limits.

Getting to Katsuyama: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Katsuyama

The closest airport to Katsuyama is Komatsu airport, located about 84km away.

Bus Stations Near Katsuyama

Buses operate between Tokyo and Katsuyama. Visitors from other areas of Japan will need to make connections through different bus stations.

Other Options

Visitors can take the JR and Echizen Railway from Kanazawa to Tsuruga and then take a bus or taxi to Katsuyama.

How to Get Around in Katsuyama

Getting around Katsuyama can be done by renting a car, bicycling and taking public transit.

Where to Go Next from Katsuyama: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

  1. Kyoto: A city full of historical significance, surrounded by hills and marked by numerous temples, shrines, castles, and other landmarks worth visiting.

  2. Kanazawa: A city known for its rich history and culture, like Katsuyama, Kanazawa has a rich local food and beverage scene.

Conclusion

Katsuyama is an undiscovered gem in the heart of Japan that offers a glimpse into the richness of its history, culture, and natural beauty that is still intact. Whatever you decide to do in Katsuyama, make sure you immerse yourselves in the culture, and enjoy the lush landscape at a peaceful pace.

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Heisenji Hakusan Shrine Heisenji Hakusan Shrine Ski Jam Katsuyama Ski Jam Katsuyama