Awara Onsen [芦原温泉]

Awara Onsen is a hot spring resort located about 18 km north of Fukui city and in Awara city.

It is the most popular hot spring resort in Fukui Prefecture.

This area was a marshy area, and it had been developed for farmland.
In 1883, when a farmer dug a well for irrigation, 80-degree hot water had sprung from there.

Soon, some hotels opened around there in the following year, and this area developed as a hot spring resort.
In 1928, the railway from Fukui city was opened.

Since that, many visitors, especially from Kansai Region, has come here every year.

There are about 20 hotels and ryokans in this resort area.
The town is around Awara-yu-no-machi station of Echizen Railway.

74 hot spring sources are in this area, and each hotel uses one of them.

The water of each hot spring resorce has slightly different components.
So, Awara City tourism association issues a pass to enjoy three favorite hot spring bathes in the hotels and ryokans for visitors. (1,500 yen)

Because the resort town is in the middle of the flat rice paddy area, it has no visible scenery like mountains, gorges and forests.
Therefore, each hotel has beautiful garden, fancy bathroom, and outdoor bath with rustic atmosphere.

And you can meet Geisha easily in Awara Onsen.

In addition, there is a gorgeous bathhouse for footbath Ashiyu (芦湯) in front of Awara-Yunomachi station of Echizen Railway which is the central station of onsen town.

It is difficult for common tourists to enjoy the entertainment of Geisha.
But Geishas in Awara Onsen introduce the entertainment in Traditional Performing Art House near Awara-yu-no-machi station.

In this facility, you can try "Geisha Maiko Dress up Experience". If you want to become Geisha or Maiko, please try it.

Awara City tourism association

How to get here

By Hokuriku Shinkansen, get off at Awara-onsen station.
About 8 minutes from Fukui, about 30 minutes from Kanazawa.
Then by route bus for Mikuni-eki, about 14 minutes.

Or, by Echizen Railway Line, from Fukui to Awara-Yunomachi station, about 40 minutes.

Other Tourist Attractions in Fukui Prefecture

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