20 Museums in Fukui worth your time

Learn about Tsuruga Port's humanitarian history saving Polish orphans and Jewish refugees.

What it is

• A museum about the history of Tsuruga Port.
• Opened on March 29, 2008.
• Relocated to its current site on November 3, 2020.
• Its name means 'museum' in Polish.

What to see

• Exhibits on Polish orphans who landed in 1920.
• Exhibits on Jewish refugees saved by Sugihara Chiune's visas.
• Displays on Tsuruga Port's prosperity as a continental hub.

When to go

• Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Closed December 29 to January 3.

Getting there

• About a 30-minute walk from Tsuruga Station.

Address

福井県敦賀市金ヶ崎町44-1 Map

Official site

www.tmo-tsuruga.com

Read more about Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum

Explore Fukui's history, samurai heritage, and a restored gate at this city museum.

What it is

• A museum collecting historical materials related to Fukui.
• Focuses on the Fukui Domain and Echizen Matsudaira family.
• Opened in 1953, relocated to current site in 2004.

What to see

• Historical materials from Fukui's past.
• Restored Toneri-mon gate on the museum grounds.
• Adjacent to Yokokan Garden.
• Surrounded by a historical garden walking zone.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Fukui Station.
• 10-minute walk from Shin-Fukui Station.
• 10-minute walk from Jin-ai Joshi Koko Station.

Address

福井県福井市宝永3-12-1 Map

Official site

www.history.museum.city.fukui.fukui.jp

Read more about Fukui City History Museum

Explore Fukui's tea ceremony history and enjoy matcha in this dedicated museum.

What it is

• A museum focused on the tea ceremony.
• Opened in October 1999.
• Managed by the Historical Town Development Foundation.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition on Fukui's tea ceremony history.
• A separate tea room named Shoan.
• Matcha tea service in the lobby.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 17:15.
• Closed December 28 to January 4.

Getting there

• 2-minute walk from Kubomachi bus stop.
• 1-minute walk from Atagozaka bus stop.
• 10-minute walk from Asuwayama Koenguchi Station.

Official site

www.fukui-rekimachi.jp

Read more about Fukui City Atagozaka Tea Ceremony Museum

Art experience museum with workshops and glass blowing, worth visiting for creative engagement.

What it is

• An art experience museum in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Supports and nurtures art and artistic activities.
• Established by the former Kanazu Town.

What to see

• Exhibition spaces for artworks.
• Creative workshops for visitors.
• Atelier zone for artists.
• Glass studio with internationally recognized equipment.
• Observe glass blowing and glass processing.

Getting there

• About 10 minutes by taxi from Awaraonsen Station.
• About 5 minutes from Kanazu IC on E8 Hokuriku Expressway.

Official site

sosaku.jp

Read more about Kanaz Forest of Creation

Explore the family home of poet Yamakawa Tomiko, a literary museum with her works and belongings.

What it is

• A literary museum dedicated to poet Yamakawa Tomiko.
• Opened on April 21, 2007.
• The museum building is her preserved family home.
• Her father originally built the residence.

What to see

• View tanka collections and original manuscripts.
• See her personal belongings, including a koto.
• Examine a photo panel featuring Yosano Akiko.
• Read her poignant death poem.
• Several structures are registered tangible cultural properties.

Getting there

• A 10-minute walk from Obama Station.

Address

小浜市千種1丁目10-7 Map

Official site

www1.city.obama.fukui.jp

Read more about Yamakawa Tomiko Memorial Museum

One of the world's great dinosaur museums, with 50 full-body skeletons.

What it is

• Natural history museum with dinosaurs as its main theme.
• Opened July 14, 2000 in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Renovated and reopened on July 14, 2023.
• Called one of the world's three great dinosaur museums.

What to see

• Main building, new building, and outdoor dinosaur museum.
• Permanent exhibition room has dinosaur skeletons.
• Number of full-body dinosaur skeletons increased to 50 in 2023.
• Outdoor dinosaur museum opened in 2014.
• Seven new dinosaur species discovered in Fukui Prefecture.

Official site

www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp

Read more about Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

Explore Wakasa's history and culture through ancient artifacts and Buddhist art.

What it is

• A history museum in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Opened in October 1982.
• Renamed Fukui Prefectural Wakasa History Museum in July 2014.

What to see

• Buddhist statues from the Wakasa region.
• Wooden Kannon Bodhisattva standing statue.
• Original 'Kaitai Shinsho' medical text.
• Matchlock guns from the Obama domain.
• Artifacts from the Torihama Shell Mound.
• Wooden Kannon Bodhisattva, an Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Higashi-Obama Station.

Address

福井県小浜市遠敷2-104 Map

Official site

wakahaku.pref.fukui.lg.jp

Read more about Wakasa History Museum

A museum in Fukui City showcasing local historical figures and unique collections.

What it is

• A museum in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Reuses the former prefectural library building.
• Exhibits historical figures related to Fukui Prefecture.

What to see

• Exhibits people active in various fields since the 20th century.
• Displays Shizuka Shirakawa and Yoichiro Nambu as "giants of knowledge."
• Collection of phonographs from Audio-Technica founder Hideo Matsushita.

Getting there

• Friendly Bus: Kodomo Rekishi Bunka-kan stop.
• Keifuku Bus: Joto 2-chome stop.

Address

福井県福井市城東1-18-21 Map

Official site

info.pref.fukui.jp

Read more about Fukui Children's Museum

Fukui's main museum for history and culture, with diverse exhibits and an open storage area.

What it is

• Opened in 1984 as the Fukui Prefectural Museum.
• Exhibits focus on historical and folk materials.
• Reopened in 2003 with its current name.

What to see

• Explore the History Zone and Topic Zone.
• View items in the Open Storage area.
• Access information in the library.
• Relax or eat at the cafe.

Getting there

• Take a Keifuku Bus from Fukui Station.
• Walk 1 km from Echizen Railway Nishi-Betsuin Station.
• Walk 1.1 km from Fukui Railway Tawaramachi Station.

Address

福井県福井市大宮2-19-15 Map

Official site

www.pref.fukui.jp

Read more about Fukui Prefectural Museum of Cultural History

This museum showcases intricate washi paper dolls depicting nostalgic Japanese childhood scenes.

What it is

• A museum in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Exhibits works by washi doll artist Eiko Takagi.
• Dolls depict children's games from early to mid-Showa period.

When to go

• Open Wednesday to Sunday, holidays, and New Year's.
• Hours are 10:00 to 15:00.
• September to November, hours extend until 16:00.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Tsuruga Station.
• 3-minute walk from 'Dashi Kaikan' bus stop.
• 3-minute walk from 'Museum Street' bus stop.

Official site

minato-tsuruga.jp

Read more about Kami-Warabe Washi Paper Doll Museum

A free museum and library dedicated to beloved children's author Kako Satoshi, perfect for families.

What it is

• A municipal lifelong learning facility in Echizen City.
• A memorial hall for picture book author Kako Satoshi.
• Opened on April 26, 2013.
• Combines a museum, library, and children's hall.

What to see

• A room for viewing original drawings by Kako Satoshi.
• A play room for events and craft classes.
• Library room with about 5,000 picture and children's books.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Closed the day after national holidays.

Official site

www.city.echizen.lg.jp

Read more about Kako Satoshi Furusato Ehonkan Raku

Explore Tsuruga's railway history in a recreated historic station building, free admission.

What it is

• A building in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Recreates the former Tsuruga Port Station building.
• Houses the Tsuruga Railway Museum.
• Opened in 2009, constructed in 1999.

What to see

• Exhibits on Tsuruga's railway history.
• The recreated historic station building itself.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed Mondays and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from Tsuruga Station.

Official site

www.city.tsuruga.lg.jp

Read more about Former Tsuruga Port Station Building

This museum showcases 70,000-year-old lake varves, crucial for global geological dating.

What it is

• A geochronology and archaeology museum.
• Exhibits 70,000-year-old varves from Lake Suigetsu.
• Lake Suigetsu varves are a world standard for geological dating.

What to see

• Displays 45 meters of actual varve samples.
• Explains the formation of Lake Suigetsu varves.
• The building received the 61st BCS Award in 2020.

Getting there

• 20-25 minute walk from JR Mikata Station.
• Adjacent to Wakasa Mikata Jomon Museum.

Official site

varve-museum.pref.fukui.lg.jp

Read more about Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum

Sakai City Museum: a modern museum dedicated to local history and a historic school.

What it is

• A comprehensive museum in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Opened on November 1, 1981, as Mikuni Ryusho-kan.
• Renamed Sakai City Ryusho Museum on April 1, 2023.
• Part of the Minato Oasis Mikuni Minato.

What to see

• Exterior mimics the former Ryusho Elementary School.
• Models of Kitamaebune ships are on exhibit.
• Materials about Ryusho Elementary School are displayed.
• 4th-floor observation room views Mikuni Port and Mt. Haku.

Address

福井県坂井市三国町緑ヶ丘4丁目2番1号 Map

Official site

ryusho-museum.jp

Read more about Sakai City Museum

See impressive festival floats and local history at this museum in Tsuruga City.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Dedicated to viewing and storing festival floats.
• Opened on May 1, 1997.

What to see

• Six festival floats, three rotated annually.
• Exhibits of armor, helmets, and Noh masks.
• A corner introducing Otani Yoshitsugu.
• A film about the float procession.
• A stone statue of Owada Shohichi outside.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Tsuruga Station.

Official site

tsuruga-yama-museum.jp

Read more about Minato Tsuruga Yama Museum

Explore a historic Western-style building showcasing Fukui City's waterworks history and vintage pumping equipment.

What it is

• A museum in Fukui City, also known as Old Asuwa Pumping Station.
• Built in 1924 as a water supply facility.
• Opened as a museum in April 2004.
• Registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2011.

What to see

• A Western-style building from 1924.
• Large pumping equipment from its active period.
• Exhibits on Fukui City's waterworks history.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Admission is free.

Official site

www.city.fukui.lg.jp

Read more about Fukui City Waterworks Memorial Hall

Explore ancient Jomon culture and artifacts, including buried forests and pottery, at this archaeological museum.

What it is

• An archaeological museum in Wakasa Town, Fukui Prefecture.
• Exhibits findings from the Torihama Shell Mound excavation.
• Displays 70,000-year-old annual layers from Lake Suigetsu.
• Introduces Jomon culture through its permanent exhibition.

What to see

• Jomon Hall with buried Jomon-era forests.
• Jomon Promenade displaying clay figurines.
• Exhibits of Jomon pottery.
• Dugout canoe from Yuri ruins and a replica.

Address

福井県三方上中郡若狭町鳥浜122-12-1 Map

Official site

www.town.fukui-wakasa.lg.jp

Read more about Wakasa Mikata Jomon Museum

Fukui Fine Arts Museum: a modern building housing significant Japanese art, including local artists.

What it is

• A museum of fine arts, opened in 1977.
• Designed by architect Takeo Sato.
• Dedicated to works by Tenshin Okakura-related artists.
• Features art from the Reorganized Inten Exhibition.

What to see

• Hishida Shunso's painting, Ochiba.
• Yokoyama Taikan's painting, Shunju-zu.
• Kano Hogai's painting, Furyu Rakan-zu.
• Works by local artist Iwasa Matabei.
• The Okajima Collection.
• The Take-tora-zu Byobu screen.

Official site

info.pref.fukui.jp

Read more about Fukui Fine Arts Museum

Modern art museum in Fukui City, featuring works by Hiroatsu Takata and a notable building design.

What it is

• Art museum in Fukui City, opened in 1997.
• Collects and displays works by Hiroatsu Takata.
• Building designed by Kisho Kurokawa.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition room with a large stained glass.
• Planning exhibition room for special displays.
• Replica of Canova's Venus statue.
• Children's atelier for creative activities.
• Cafe for refreshments.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.

Official site

www.art.museum.city.fukui.fukui.jp

Read more about Fukui City Art Museum

Echizen Bamboo Doll Village was a museum showcasing bamboo crafts, offering workshops and shopping.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to dolls and crafts made from bamboo.
• It opened in 1986.
• It closed on August 9, 2023.

What to see

• Exhibited bamboo dolls and crafts.
• Bamboo craft workshop can be observed.
• Local products and bamboo crafts were sold.

Getting there

• From Fukui Station to Echizen Railway Eiheiji-guchi Station.
• 15 minutes by car from Hokuriku Expressway Fukui-kita IC.

Official site

www.takeningyo.com

Read more about Echizen Bamboo Doll Village