[2025 Awara Hotels] Travel Guide for Grandia Housen (Updated Jul)

●Name Grandia Housen (Awara Onsen) ●Access Free shuttle from JR Awara Onsen Station ●Points Fukui Prefecture is said to have the highest happiness rate in Japan Awara Onsen is located in Awara City, located at the northernmost tip of Fukui Prefecture, and is close to Kanazawa, making it the perfect base for a trip Grandia Housen has 33 rooms with open-air hot spring baths, each with a different atmosphere, including the ``Tenjo no SPA,'' the villa ``Kotobuki-tei,'' and the detached ``Yutorogi-tei'' The photo shows a room with an open-air bath at ``Yutorogi-tei'' You can enjoy a blissful relaxing time in the soft Awara waters that feel soft on your skin There is also a hot spring egg corner, so you will be very busy from the moment you arrive at the inn Of course, the kaiseki cuisine is also delicious, and it is an inn where you can enjoy it with all five senses #Fukui Prefecture #Hot Springs #Awara Onsen #Hot Spring Trip

A luxurious buffet. I was excited to see restaurant-quality fatty tuna and American cherries.

🌟 Japan Fukui Travel Guide｜Hidden Gems + Food & Hot Springs + Cultural Experiences🌟 Fukui Prefecture, a hidden gem between Kanazawa and Kyoto, offers breathtaking natural scenery, ancient temples, and exquisite craftsmanship, as well as the winter-exclusive Echizen crab feast. Escape the crowds and embark on a healing journey. 🌸 Must-Visit Attractions 1️⃣ Tojinbo｜A Symphony of Cliffs and the Sea Highlight: The only columnar joint cliff in Japan, with a 20-meter-high cliff plunging into the Sea of Japan. The sunset view is a world-class spectacle. Things to do: Stroll along the trail and feel the grandeur of the waves crashing against the rocks. On a clear day, you can take a boat to see the cliffs up close (be careful). 2️⃣ Eiheiji Temple｜A Thousand-Year-Old Temple in a Zen Forest Highlight: The head temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Japan, with a history of over 700 years. Stroll through the moss garden and experience the morning chanting to purify your soul. Experience: Stay at the nearby Hakujukan Hotel, participate in zazen and sutra copying in the morning, and enjoy shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine) for a full Zen experience. 3️⃣ Awara Onsen｜A Hot Spring Street from the Showa Era Must-do: Enjoy a free foot bath, wear a kimono and stroll through the "Yukemuri Yokocho" food stall village (the red lanterns at night create a great atmosphere), and try the "Geisha Transformation" (costume rental + makeup, perfect for photos). Accommodation recommendation: Grandia Housen, a century-old hot spring inn with private baths and kaiseki cuisine for the ultimate indulgence. 4️⃣ Megane Museum｜A Paradise for Handicraft Enthusiasts Fun fact: Sabae City is the eyewear capital of Japan. Make your own eco-friendly glasses keychain and buy tax-free frames as souvenirs. 5️⃣ Cat Temple (Gotanjoji Temple)｜A Sanctuary for Cat Lovers Highlight: Over 30 cats roam freely. Cats on the shoulders of the Great Buddha and "cat fortune slips" are a must for cat lovers. 🍜 Must-Try Foods in Fukui 🦀 Echizen Crab Seasonal (November to March): Sweet and tender meat with rich crab roe. Recommended steamed or as sashimi, paired with local sake. 🍜 Echizen Soba Highlight: Grated radish + bonito flakes + cold noodles, refreshing and chewy. Visit "Echizen Soba Village" to make your own noodles (experience fee: JPY 2,200) for a sense of accomplishment. 🍢 Aburaage (Fried Tofu) Hidden gem: A favorite among Fukui locals. Thick slices of fried tofu with sweet soy sauce and grated radish, simple yet satisfying. 🍖 Wakasa Beef A must-try for wagyu lovers: Beautiful marbling, melts in your mouth whether hot pot or charcoal grilled, comparable to Kobe beef. 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations｜Stay in the Scenery ❶ Hakujukan Hotel A must for Zen enthusiasts: Located near Eiheiji Temple, offers zazen experience and shojin ryori, with exquisite Echizen ware tea sets in the room. ❷ Grandia Housen (Awara Onsen) Luxury experience: Japanese-style garden suite with open-air private bath, kaiseki dinner featuring Echizen crab, a feast for the senses. ❸ Dormy Inn Fukui Natural Hot Spring Value for money: 6-minute walk from JR Fukui Station, free late-night ramen at the rooftop hot spring, ideal for backpackers. 📅 Itinerary Reference (3 Days 2 Nights) Day 1: Nature and History Morning: Tojinbo Cliffs + Boat Ride Afternoon: Eiheiji Temple Meditation Evening: Awara Onsen Street Food + Hot Spring Day 2: Culture and Handicrafts Morning: Megane Museum DIY Keychain Afternoon: Cat Temple + Echizen Soba Experience Evening: Mikuni Lantern Festival (Summer Only) Day 3: Food and Healing Morning: Echizen Daibutsu (Japan's Largest Indoor Buddha) Afternoon: Wakasa Bay Seafood Market for Fresh Sea Urchin Evening: Buy Echizen Pottery as Souvenirs Before Returning 💡 Practical Tips Transportation: About 2 hours by JR from Osaka/Nagoya, recommended to buy the "Hokuriku Area Pass" for better value. Best season: Winter (Echizen crab + snow scenery), summer (fireworks festival), autumn (red leaves + cosmos flower fields). Language: Popular attractions have English signs, but it's safer to have a translation app. Fukui is like a low-key pearl, waiting for you to discover its beauty. Save this guide and start your journey.✨