Sep–NovFarmers digging an irrigation well struck hot water in 1883; the ryokan followed within a year. Now seventy-four sources feed a compact town of inns, a free cypress footbath and a lane of food stalls, one stop from Fukui on the Shinkansen.
Awara Onsen was the weekend retreat of Osaka and Kyoto, the "inner parlour of Kansai", and still takes over a million guests a year. Most ryokan have their own source, so the water differs from inn to inn. The Shinkansen stops at Awara-Onsen Station (Tokyo 2h 51m); the ryokan cluster 4–5 km away around Awara-yunomachi, 8–15 minutes by bus for ¥300.
| From | Route | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Kagayaki to Awara-Onsen (not every train stops) | 2h 51m | ¥15,810 reserved |
| Fukui | Shinkansen / Hapi-Line local | 8 min / 20 min | ¥1,210 / ¥380 |
| Awara-Onsen Station | Keifuku bus, west exit stand 2, to Awara-yunomachi | 8–15 min | ¥300 |
| Awara-Onsen Station | Taxi | 10–15 min | |
| Fukui | Echizen Railway to Awara-yunomachi | 41 min | ¥730 |
The Arch Pass and JR Pass cover the Shinkansen only. Echizen Railway sells an Awara Onsen stay ticket (¥2,500, 2 days, all its lines) with ¥1,000 back at 14 ryokan. Tourist office at AFLARE, west exit, 08:30–17:15. Fukui access →
Hokuriku's finest footbath, by the town's own account: all hinoki cypress and Fukui's blue-green Shakudani stone, under stained-glass skylights. Five basins fed by two different sources, free-flowing, for up to 34 people, and lit at night.
Ten food stalls with about ten counter seats each under red lanterns: fish and fugu, Fukui pork skewers, beef offal, ramen, okonomiyaki, sushi, gyoza, tempura and yakitori. Each stall sets its own evening hours; all take cards.
Call ahead: ryokan times change.
| Bath | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Centopia Awara セントピアあわら (public bath, open-air bath, sauna) | 10:00–23:00, closed 3rd Tuesday | ¥600 |
| Matsuya Senchi まつや千千 (one of Hokuriku's largest outdoor baths) | 16:00–19:00 | ¥1,500 |
| Seifūsō 清風荘 (large garden rotenburo) | 16:00–20:00 | ¥1,500 |
| Mimatsu 美松 | 14:00–18:00 | ¥1,200–¥1,500 |
| Haiya 灰屋 | 18:00–20:00 | ¥1,000 |
| Ōedo Onsen Monogatari Awara | 07:00–10:00, 15:00–24:00 | ¥900–¥1,500 |
Awara's grand old inn, founded in 1884, the year after the water was found. It burned down in 2018 and was rebuilt by the architect Tetsuo Kobori as a single-storey timber building around its garden, reopening in 2021. All 17 rooms have their own half-open-air bath of free-flowing hot-spring water, and it holds One MICHELIN Key, the only one in Fukui.
The Shinkansen station is 4–5 km from the onsen town. Take the Keifuku Tōjinbō Line bus from the west exit, stand 2, to Awara-yunomachi (8–15 minutes, ¥300; every 30 minutes on weekdays, hourly at weekends), or a taxi (10–15 minutes). Some ryokan collect guests; ask when booking.
Yes. The public bath Centopia Awara costs ¥600 (10:00–23:00, closed the 3rd Tuesday), and many ryokan take day bathers for ¥650–¥1,500 at set hours. The hinoki Ashiyu footbath by Awara-yunomachi Station is free, 07:00–23:00.
Yes: the same Keifuku bus line runs on to Tōjinbō (29 minutes, ¥570 from Awara-yunomachi), the Echizen Matsushima Aquarium and Mikuni-minato. Maruoka Castle is 18 minutes by bus from Awara-Onsen Station.
Echizen crab (males) from 6 November to 20 March. Ryokan crab-kaiseki plans are the priciest of the year; book early for weekends.
Prices per person with dinner and breakfast, two sharing; crab season costs more.
Large upscale ryokan where many rooms have their own open-air bath. Nearly 600 Agoda reviews.
Classic big ryokan with one of Hokuriku's largest garden open-air baths.
Known for its cooking and a very large outdoor bath.
A traditional ryokan with a high guest score, in the heart of the town.
A large ryokan with two contrasting bath halls, the best value of the big inns.
One of Awara's old family ryokan, warm and traditional.