For the next section of the tour we will walk to the castle ruins, with the great walls and moat and even more unusually, the prefectural office and police headquarters inside. The walls are original to the construction but there is also a bridge that faithfully reproduces what it looked like during the Edo period. There wasn’t a keep for many years so instead the gates around the castle were reinforced to act as the final line of defense, making it unique among castles in Japan. A short walk away from the castle is a shrine that has recently become popular because of the origami cranes that are hung at the entrance. It is a striking visual to imbue hope for a better future. Following the shrine is a walk and a short bus ride to a slightly different part of the city.

The final stop before lunch is the Atagozaka or the Atago Slope. This is a series of staircases that lead up to the top of a large series of hills. One of the oldest shrines in all of the prefectures rests up here as well is probably the best view of Fukui City’s modern skyline. The brand-new buildings against the mountains in the background is really beautiful. Coming down from the viewpoint, we will head towards the Katamachi area near the station where you will have time for lunch. Feel free to ask your guide for recommendations. The local specialties in Fukui City are Echizen soba and katsu(fried port cutlet).

It's time for lunch! Feel free to ask your guide for recommendations for local Fukui specialties. After lunch meet back at Fukui Station and get on the direct bus to to Eiheiji. Arrive at Eiheiji, one of the head temples of Zen Buddhism, and discover the surreal blend of Japanese traditional architecture with a natural environment that is just as beautiful. We will have the chance to walk around the temple and you can learn about the history and importance of this Buddhist sect and this temple in particular. You will also have some time to explore at your own pace as well. After getting a taste of Zen in its Japanese homeland, we will head back to the hustle and bustle of city life. Getting on a direct bus back to Fukui Station will take just under 30 minutes, where we will leave our friends staying in Fukui, and then the train to Kanazawa should get us back home by 18:00.