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Photo: Namazu-tron, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
A 1300-year-old complex of multiple religious buildings and ruins, surrounded by tall trees. Renowned for beautiful stone pavement. Quiet and sacred atmosphere. Once an influential head temple to worshippers of Mount Hakusan, the temple-shrine complex was a gate into the worshippers' road to the sacred mountain.
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the city of Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. In the former Modern system of ranked Shinto Shrines, it was a prefectural shrine of Fukui Prefecture. Noted for its mossy gardens, the shrine gardens were designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty (名勝) in 1930 and a National Historic Site of Japan in 1935. Its main festival is held annually on April 20. The area of the shrine is within the boundaries of Hakusan National Park.
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勝山城
Built in 1992, supposedly the tallest castle in Japan. Similar to Echizen Daibutsu, it has little historical significance, but it's still an impressive structure to look at.
越前大仏
Built in 1987, this is the largest indoor Buddha in Japan. Sadly, its relative newness causes it to be overshadowed by Todaiji temple in Nara. The temple complex, which includes a large pagoda, is beautiful and surrounded by forested hills.
はたや記念館 Hataya Kinenkan
For a small price Hataya Memorial Museum lets you try things like using a loom, making thread, or making a cute animal out of silk worm cocoons. There is also a small cafe attached.
スキージャム
By far the largest ski resort in the region, often making it crowded with people from Kyoto and Osaka, especially on weekends. Ski and snowboard rental available, but call ahead for larger sizes. Overnight bus Quick Liner provides a day trip from Osaka at Shin-Osaka station for ¥7,500-12,500 including a day pass.
福井県立恐竜博物館 Fukui Kenritsu Kyoryu Hakubutsu-kan
The third largest dinosaur museum in the world. Don't miss the displays about the Fukuiraptor and Fukuisaurus, the two dinosaurs discovered in Katsuyama. You can also dig for your own fossils in a small area on the grounds. The surrounding park has picnic areas, a playground, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
取立山 Toritate-yama
A major attraction of this mountain is Mizubashou (水芭蕉) or Lysichiton camtschatcensis with glowing white spathes, which blossoms in May in a protected marshy area close to the summit. The plant is endangered and visitors are strictly prohibited from touching.