Fukui: Dramatic Cliffs, a Working Zen Temple, and Dinosaurs

Tojinbo is a stretch of rugged basalt cliffs on Fukui's Sea of Japan coast, shaped by volcanic activity and ongoing erosion into distinct columnar rock. Boat tours run along the base of the cliffs when weather allows. Footing is uneven and there are no barriers in most spots, so it's not a place to let small children wander unsupervised.

Eiheiji is one of the two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism and remains an active training monastery, not just a sight to photograph — you'll see monks going about their actual routine. Some short zazen (seated meditation) sessions or overnight stays are offered to visitors, but availability and rules change, so confirm directly with the temple before planning around it.

The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama is one of the largest dinosaur museums anywhere, built in a region where significant fossil discoveries have actually been made. It's strong for families and somewhat out of the way, so it works best as a dedicated side trip rather than a quick stop bolted onto something else.