About Awara The happiest town in the happiest prefecture Located at the northernmost tip of Fukui Prefecture, Awara borders Mikuni in Sakai to the west, Sakai and Maruoka in Sakai to the south, and Kaga in Ishikawa Prefecture to the northeast, while its northwest faces the Sea of Japan. Covering 116.98 square kilometers, Awara features Lake Kitagata and the Sakai northern hills in the north; two urban centers centered on JR Awara-Onsen Station and the Awara hot spring district in the center; farmland in the southwest; and forested mountains rising 500–600 meters in the east. Major north–south transport routes cross the city, including the JR Hokuriku Main Line (Awara-Onsen Station), the Hokuriku Expressway (Kanazu I.C.), and National Route 8. The area includes rice paddies north of the Kuzuryu River, hilly zones known for vegetables and fruit production, satoyama countryside landscapes, the coastline and Lake Kitagata within the Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park, and the Awara hot springs, which will soon mark 140 years—together offering a diverse and rich environment. History of Awara Awara Onsen is known for its pastoral views from the inns. It began in 1883 when a warm, slightly salty spring unexpectedly bubbled up while villagers were digging an irrigation well in a rice paddy. Villagers later dug more wells and hot springs appeared in many places; today the springs are limited to 74 wells. Shrines were built and the hot spring district was divided into three areas, and those structures still protect the springs. Each ryokan soothes travelers with lavish gardens designed with care, fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, and warm, attentive hospitality. About 30 lodging facilities operate today, each offering a different style. Guests can choose accommodations that suit their tastes and travel party. Spring qualities and benefits of Awara Onsen Awara Onsen has no joint public management of its waters; each facility owns one or more spring wells. As a result, mineral content varies slightly by facility, letting visitors enjoy baths with subtly different textures. Known by those in the know as a hot spring area with many beautiful proprietresses, it is celebrated as “baths for beautiful skin.” [Spring Type] A neutral to slightly alkaline saline earth chloride spring containing sodium and potassium [Spring Temperature] 33.5–77.5°C [Benefits] For bathing: rheumatism, chronic dermatitis, neuralgia, atopic dermatitis For drinking: chronic gastritis, chronic hypochlorhydria