Fukui City is the capital of Fukui Prefecture, where history and nature intertwine. Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of the Sōtō school of Japanese Zen Buddhism, is a thousand-year-old ancient temple with serene bamboo groves and meditation halls. Tōjinbō is a spectacular seaside cliff formation with columnar jointing, presenting a majestic precipice overlooking the sea. The ruins of Fukui Castle and the cherry blossom embankment along the Asuwa River (a 1-kilometre cherry blossom avenue) are enchanting. The local cuisine features Echizen crab, boiled mackerel in soy sauce, Fukui ramen, bamboo shoot rice, and sweet shrimp, all rich and flavourful.