Top Things to do in Katsuyama
10 Sights & Landmarks in Katsuyama That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Katsuyama, Japan including Kaminabuchi-ku Sagicho Yagura Kaikan, Hakusan Shrine (Heisenji-Hakusan Shrine), Dokidoki Kyoryu Hakkutsu Land, Echizen Daibutsu, Echizen Tetsudo Katsuyama Station Platform, Yoshino-ku Sagicho Yagura Kaikan, Katsuyama Castle Museum, Hakusan Heisenji Temple Historical Museum Mahoroba, Echizen Tetsudo Katsuyama Station Main Building, Joen-ji Temple.
Restaurants in Katsuyama
1. Kaminabuchi-ku Sagicho Yagura Kaikan
2. Hakusan Shrine (Heisenji-Hakusan Shrine)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Hoegaarden987 - Brossard, Canada
Hakusan (literally, the white mountain in Japanese) is a ~2700 m tall mountain extending between Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui and Gifu prefectures. It has been a sacred mountain for many in the area, leading to the many Hakusan Shrines in the region and around Japan that believe the mountain to house a god. The Heisenji-Hakusan Shrine is one such shrine located near Katsuyama city in the Fukui prefecture. The Shrine has beautiful lawns of moss throughout its campus, and is well known along with the famous Saiho-ji in Kyoto for its moss gardens. It was raining that day, and the rain made the moss lawn even more beautiful. There were several individual visitors, and we saw two or three groups, but the shrine itself was very quiet. We first strolled through the moss lawns and took the main road to the main hall and gave our prayers. There are two other smaller halls next to the main hall, and the three halls signify the three peaks of Hakusan. We then took another road up the hill to the Sannnomiya, another hall higher up in the mountain. There were moss lawns along the road as well, and the air was very refreshing. All three of us were completely awed by the beauty and the sacred environment. To get to the shrine, we took a local train from Fukui station to Katsuyama station. There are local buses to the shrine, but unfortunately, the wait was more than an hour after our arrival at Katsuyama that day. As such, we took a taxi from the Katsuyama station, which cost us about 1800 yen. On the way back, we took the bus back to Katsuyama station, which was a mini-van, and the cost was 200 yen per person. It turned out that this Shrine was opened by Taichou in 717, and so it was exactly 1300 years from its opening. Nevertheless, there were very few signs that marked this anniversary, and the area was very calm, just like the shrine itself.
3. Dokidoki Kyoryu Hakkutsu Land
4. Echizen Daibutsu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
Located at the foothills of Mt. Hakusan, the Echizen Daibutsu is 17 meters tall, and watches over its home Katsuyama City. Although not visited as much as other “giant Buddhas,” the absence of large crowds adds to the feeling of zen one can experience while walking around the enormous complex. In the serenity of the main hall, visitors feel the quiet aura of the giant Buddha, flanked by nearly 1300 smaller Buddha statues set along the walls. Many of the smaller Buddha statues have “friendly” expressions that are quite uncommon in Japanese temples. “No two are alike” – so visitors might find one that looks similar to themselves.
5. Echizen Tetsudo Katsuyama Station Platform
6. Yoshino-ku Sagicho Yagura Kaikan
7. Katsuyama Castle Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 35 reviews
This castle-style building was completed relatively recently – in 1992. A wealthy resident of Katsuyama built it with his own money for the local town. At 57.8 meters tall, it is proudly the tallest castle in Japan! You will feel like a feudal lord as you overlook the entire city from the observation room on the top floor! Inside of castle, you will see bright gorgeous cherry blossoms paintings.
8. Hakusan Heisenji Temple Historical Museum Mahoroba
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 25 reviews
9. Echizen Tetsudo Katsuyama Station Main Building
10. Joen-ji Temple
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