Awara Onsen
Awara Onsen Family Hotels: A Base for Dinosaur Kingdom Fukui
Hotels in Awara Onsen, known as the "inner parlor of Kansai," easy to pair with the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Shibamasa World
Awara Onsen is one of Fukui Prefecture's leading hot-spring towns, beloved since it opened in the Meiji era as the "inner parlor of Kansai." It's a calm hot-spring destination with ryokan dotted across farmland, but it has drawn attention in recent years as a family travel destination because it makes a great base for exploring "Dinosaur Kingdom" Fukui. It's well located for reaching family-friendly spots such as the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Shibamasa World (known for its pool and amusement park), and the dramatic cliffs of Tojinbo.
The properties featured here are 4 distinctive places to stay. Awara Onsen Grandia Housen is a tasteful ryokan where you can go bath-hopping between the large communal bath "Tenjo no SPA," filled with its own hot-spring source, and a hinoki-cypress communal bath reserved for guests of its detached annex. Drinks and snacks in the lounge are all-inclusive, and in-room dining and rooms with an open-air bath are also available, so families can unhurriedly enjoy the simple-mineral hot spring considered gentle for babies. The foot bath even has a dinosaur photo spot, popular for souvenir photos with dinosaur-loving kids.
Oedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Seiunkaku is a hot-spring hotel built for families to play and eat their fill. Inside, there's a kids' park with a large climbing structure, table tennis, and a manga corner, all free to use, and dinner is an all-you-can-eat buffet that even includes unlimited Haagen-Dazs ice cream. The changing area of the large communal bath has a crib, and the bathing area has a baby bath and baby chair, with rentals of children's tableware, baby baths, and bouncer seats, plus allergy accommodations — thorough preparation for families with babies.
Access improved from the greater Tokyo area now that Awara-Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen serves as the gateway. You can also reach the hot-spring town via Awara-Yunomachi Station on the Echizen Railway, and by car the Kanazu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway is convenient. Pair the pool at Shibamasa World in summer, or the dinosaur museum with the hot spring in other seasons — this is an area that's easy to plan a family trip to year-round.
Highlights
- checkA convenient base for family-friendly spots like the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Shibamasa World
- checkThere's a family-oriented hot-spring hotel with a kids' park and buffet dining
- checkThorough support for families with babies, from a crib in the changing area to a baby bath in the bathing area
Family-friendly features in Awara Onsen
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Recommended hotels (3)
Awara Onsen Grandia Housen
Matsuya Sensen
Oedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Seiunkaku
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Nearby attractions
Travel tips
Getting to nearby spots like the dinosaur museum and Shibamasa World is easiest by car, so consider renting one. The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is very popular and sometimes requires advance reservations, so it's a good idea to check the reservation method on the official website before your visit. Awara Onsen's hot-spring town also has a foot bath, so you can enjoy a stroll after settling in at your hotel. If the Shibamasa World pool in summer is your main draw, it's a good idea to book your hotel early too.
Best season
Summer (July and August) is popular for pairing with the pool at Shibamasa World. The dinosaur museum can be enjoyed year-round, and winter is a great time to relax with Echizen crab and the hot springs.
Getting there
Awara-Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen is the gateway. Awara-Yunomachi Station on the Echizen Railway also serves the hot-spring town. By car, you can access it from the Kanazu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum from Awara Onsen?
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Yes. The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is in Katsuyama City, within driving distance from Awara Onsen. Using Awara Onsen as a base and combining a museum visit with a hot-spring stay is a popular family trip plan. During busy periods, advance reservations may be required, so it's a good idea to check the official website before your visit.
Are there hotels in Awara Onsen where kids can play?
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Oedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Seiunkaku has a kids' park with a large climbing structure, table tennis, and a manga corner, all free to use inside the hotel. Dinner is a buffet that even includes unlimited Haagen-Dazs ice cream, making it a hotel packed with things kids will love.
Is Awara Onsen a safe bet for families with babies?
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Seiunkaku has a crib in the changing area of its large communal bath and a baby bath and baby chair in the bathing area, along with rentals of baby baths and bouncer seats, children's tableware, and allergy accommodations. Grandia Housen has a simple-mineral hot spring considered gentle for babies, and choosing in-room dining or a room with an open-air bath lets you spend time without worrying about other guests.