Awara, Hot spring resort city in Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Awara is a hot spring resort city at the northern edge of Fukui Prefecture, situated along the Sea of Japan coast and bordering Ishikawa Prefecture. The place grew organically around mineral-rich thermal springs that feed numerous bathing houses and hotels throughout town.
In 1883 a farmer discovered a hot spring while digging an irrigation channel, and the first hotels opened within a year. This chance discovery set the foundation for Awara's development as a known thermal spa destination.
The name Awara comes from the hot springs that define the place and draw visitors here. Local inns and bathing facilities line the streets, forming the heartbeat of daily life for both residents and guests.
The city is reachable from Tokyo by bullet train via Maibara Station, followed by a limited express train ride lasting around two and a half hours. Visitors should plan bathing times carefully, as the most popular facilities tend to fill up during morning and evening hours.
Yukemuri Yokocho, the Hot Spring Steam Alley, is a narrow lane lined with food stalls selling regional specialties. The spot is known for Echizen crab from the Sea of Japan and the constant steam rising from the springs that fills the entire alley.
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