What is Fukui prefecture's "Tojinbo"? Tojinbo, in Fukui prefecture of Japan's Hokuriku region, is a vertical cliff created by the rough waves of the Japan Sea. It is a rare type of sea cliff which has only been seen in 3 other areas of the world. The video, “(4K) Aerial drone footage / Flown in Tojinbo in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture（【4K】福井県坂井市 東尋坊で飛ばしてみた / ドローン空撮）” produced by “Mattsu”, shows the exposed rock face and harsh landscape of Tojinbo that were shot by the aerial drone. The geological composition of the cliffs of Tojinbo are made from pyroxene andesite and some of the cliffs tallest points are approximately 25m tall. It's strangely shaped pillars extend 1km long and it has been designated a natural national monument and scenic spot, and is also a part of the specially protected area of Echizen Kaga Kaigan National Monument. It is also one of the world’s 3 most geologically rare scenic spots, and therefore it is well known around the world. The origin of the name, Tojinbo, is said to have come from the name of a monk “Tojinbo”, who lived long ago and belonged to the Heisenji temple whose romantic relationship had ended and and he was pushed off of the steep cliff and fell. After Tojinbo was pushed into the sea; another monk, his rival in love, was also pulled into the rough waves and tempestuous weather continued for 49 days. Or so the legend goes anyways... It is also famous for being used as a film location for climactic scenes in which the culprit tries to throw him or herself into the sea after making a confession in suspenseful TV dramas or movies. Tourist attractions around Tojinbo Photo：Tojinbo, Fukui Prefecture The Tojinbo cliffs, which is a rare rock formation even outside of Japan, is a famous place that even many Japanese would like to visit at least once. In order to preserve Tojinbo's amazing view there are no safety features such as fences installed there. You are able to walk around Tojinbo freely, however, please watch your step. The recommended tourist sites around Tojinbo are, Tojinbo Tower, Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, the caravan campsite Kyukamura Echizen Mikuni, Echizen Matsushima, Minato-machi Mikuni, Shibamasa World, and the Araiso Shoreline Esplanade. Also, if you take the Tojinbo/Oshima sightseeing boat tour, you will be able to see the cliff face from the ocean and will be able to enjoy all of the Instagrammable locations such as Lion Rock and Candle Rock. In addition, the Mikuni Fireworks Festival is held near Tojinbo in the summer and every year many tourists flock to see this event. Tojinbo's famous hot springs and gourmet food! Photo：A crab dish When you the town Mikuni, in Sakai city, Fukui prefecture, that Tojinbo is in, try to stay at the Mikuni Kanko Hotel. Japan's Hokuriku region is famous for Echizen crab and the crab dishes made from Fukui's freshly caught crab are absolutely delectable! You should also definitely go to the nationally famous, Mikuni hot springs. Relax and rid yourself of stress by sightseeing in Tojinbo, eating delicious seafood and relaxing in the hot springs- All at the Mikuni Kanko Hotel. Tojinbo Source :YouTube screenshot One of the world's most beautiful sights! Directions (access by public transportation such as bus), parking, events and other information about Tojinbo in Fukui prefecture, can be seen on the Mikuni hot springs official website “Mikuni Marugoto Navi (Navigating all of Mikuni). Now that you’ve seen the beautifully taken drone footage, it’s time to see it in person! 【Official Website】Official website of Mikuni Tourist Association | Tojinbo・Echizen crabs・Mikuni Hot SpringThis website is full of beautiful sights to see and fun places to visit. http://www.mikuni.org/?lang=en 【Tripadvisor】 Tojinbo https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1021160-d1385002-Reviews-Tojimbo_Cliff-Sakai_Fukui_Prefecture_Hokuriku_Chubu.html

Snowplowing Fukui's Snow-Covered Railroad - Echizen Railway This video, titled “[Snow Removal Work] Snow Removal Work by Two Echizen Railway Snow Blowers: Echizen Railway Nishiharue Station, February 9th, 2018” (【除雪作業】えちぜん鉄道・ロータリー車 ２台による排雪作業 えちぜん鉄道 西春江駅 2018年2月9日), is produced by "labaoka." It shows the snowplowing of Echizen Railway. Have you seen snowplowing at railroads in heavy snow areas? In the metropolitan area, trains are stopped when there's just a few centimeters of snow. How do people in heavy snow areas, often covered by a few meters of snow in one night, manage to remove the snow on the railways? This video shows actual footage of the snowplowing at Echizen Railway Nishiharue Station, in Fukui Prefecture in Japan's Hokuriku region, one of the snowiest areas in Japan. This is rare footage that you've probably never seen before. Fukui Prefecture – A Heavy Snowfall Area in Japan Photo：Snowplows clearing snow on road In the video, the snow is taller than the people! Did you know that Japan has some of the snowiest areas in the world? As the railroads stretch throughout Japan, people in areas with heavy snowfall have to plow snow every day in the winter. The main island of Japan has a mountain range in the center which divides the Pacific Ocean and Japan Sea sides. During winter, strong winds from the continent hit the mountain range and cause low air pressure. This is why there are so many places with heavy snowfall on the Japan Sea side. The Echizen Railway shown in the video runs through Fukui, one of Ishikawa's neighboring prefectures. The Hokuriku region which is composed of Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama is one of the snowiest areas in Japan. About Echizen Railway – A Railway in the Snow Photo：A Rusted track and unmanned station Echizen Railway, nicknamed as “Echi Tetsu,” is a railway that connects Fukui City with Katsuyama City and Sakai City. There are hot spring facilities such as Awara Onsen and Mikuni Onsen Yuaport, as well as tourist spots like Bashozuka, Matsuoka Kofun Cluster, and Tojinbo. Echizen Railway is a railway in the third sector that was established as the successor to the Echizen Main Line and Mikuni Awara Line formerly operated by Keifuku Electric Railroad in Fukui. The L-type train car is a “brother” to the Toyama Light Rail TLR0600 series. Its futuristic design is also popular among train enthusiasts. Snowplows – Essential Vehicles for Snow Removal on Railroads Source :YouTube screenshot Snowplows are essential vehicles for railroads in snowy regions. As you can see in the video, it snows so much that the crossing, as well as the rail, are almost completely covered by snow. This is dangerous even for the local people who are used to snow. Which is exactly why these vehicles are necessary. Let us introduce several types of snowplows: -Russel snowplow: This is the most common snowplow for railroads. It plows its way through snow using the blade on the edge of the main car. -Snow blower: This locomotive blows the raked snow by spinning the rotary with its motor. -Russel snow blower: Russel snow blower has both features of a snow blower and a Russel snowplow. This vehicle is used in the snowiest areas in Japan. The video shows footage of a snowplow passing through Nishiharue Station slowly while removing snow. As seen at 0:59, the snowplow faces the direction that allows it to not blow snow at nearby houses. It's quite tough work. Summary of Snow Removal at Fukui's Echizen Railway Various snowplows greatly help the heavy snow areas in Japan. The vehicle at the beginning of the video removing snow from the rail of Echizen Railway is the snow blower and the Russel snowplow appears after 10:00 in the video. being one of the snowiest areas in Japan, this kind of snow removal work by snowplows is essential for Fukui Prefecture. After removing snow by snow blowers, however, people must remove the blown snow manually to prevent a buildup of large snowdrifts on roads and in front of houses. Even though local people are used to it, life in a snowy region is tough. Plowing snow is just the icing on the cake. Watch and enjoy the footage of Echizen Railway snowplows working to secure traffic safety for the local people of Fukui – one of the snowiest areas in Japan.