Dec–FebAbout a kilometre of giant five- and six-sided columns of andesite, rising up to 25 m straight out of the Sea of Japan. Walk the top, ride the boat underneath, and stay for the sun dropping behind the pillars.
The columns formed from volcanic activity 12–13 million years ago and are a national Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument (1935). The name comes from a legend of a violent monk, Tōjinbō, pushed from the cliffs in 1182. Two kilometres inland, Mikuni-minato is the port whose trade made the area rich. Stay a night there and see the cliffs early or at sunset, before and after the coaches.
A paved approach leads through a street of stalls (grilled squid, amaebi bowls, crab in season) to the main platforms of rock. There are no railings on most of the edge, and the rock is uneven and slippery when wet.
A 30-minute loop under the columns to Oshima island and back. Boats leave every 15–20 minutes. In rough weather boarding moves to Mikuni Sunset Beach, where tickets are cash only; check the operator's site on the day.
A small wooded island reached by a long red footbridge, with Ōminato Shrine in the forest and its own columnar and plate-shaped rock on the shore. A coastal path of about 4 km links it with Tōjinbō.
In clear weather the sun drops straight into the sea behind the columns. Buses back to Awara-Onsen thin out after dusk, so check the last departure, or stay in Mikuni.
There is no direct bus from Fukui Station. Buses run roughly hourly on weekdays and about twice an hour at weekends.
| From | Route | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awara-Onsen Station | Keifuku bus 85/97, stand 2 | about 40m | ¥790 |
| Mikuni Station | Keifuku bus 84/96, stand 1 | about 12m | |
| Fukui Station | Echizen Railway to Mikuni + bus, or Shinkansen to Awara-Onsen + bus | 1h 10m–1h 40m | ¥980–¥2,000 |
| Komatsu Airport | Trial bus, weekends 3 Oct 2026–28 Feb 2027 | ¥1,000 cash | |
| Car from Awara-Onsen Station | about 25m |
Passes: Tōjinbō 2-day Free Pass ¥1,500; Eiheiji, Maruoka Castle and Tōjinbō 2-day pass ¥2,600 (from 1 Oct 2026). JR passes do not cover Keifuku buses or Echizen Railway.
Things first-time visitors usually wish they'd known.
From Awara-Onsen Station (Shinkansen), Keifuku bus 85/97 takes about 40 minutes (¥790). From Fukui, take the Echizen Railway to Mikuni (47 minutes, ¥780) and the 12-minute bus. There is no direct bus from Fukui Station.
¥2,000 for adults (¥1,000 children) since 1 August 2026, a 30-minute loop under the cliffs to Oshima. Boats run every 15–20 minutes, 9:00–16:00 (winter to 15:30). Closed Wednesdays and 29 December to 31 January.
Yes. The cliffs are free and open at all hours. There are no railings on most of the edge: stay back in wind or high waves.
The municipal car park closed in 2023 during redevelopment. Use the private car parks along the shopping street, usually free if you buy something.
A night in Mikuni or Awara puts sunset and the first boat within reach.
Sixteen suites in nine restored Edo and Meiji townhouses, with French dinner overseen by a Michelin-starred chef. Free shuttle from Awara-Onsen Station.
Large upscale ryokan where many rooms have their own open-air bath. 2,500+ reviews averaging 4.6 on Rakuten Travel.
Classic Awara ryokan with one of Hokuriku's largest garden open-air baths. Crab plans from November.