Tourist spots in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, are enjoying a boost in visitor numbers as Saturday marks one week since bullet train services were extended to the region.

The new section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened last Saturday, extending the line from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture to Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture. A discount campaign that kicked off the same day helped increase the tourist traffic.

Many people visited the remains of the 16th century castle town known as Ichijodani Asakura Family Site on Saturday, despite the rainy weather. Visitors took photos in front of the main gate and enjoyed strolling through the grounds.

A man who came from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen said that Fukui has many historic buildings, which he wasn't expecting, so it is very enjoyable for history fans. He said Fukui was easily accessible and the station is also nice.

Also popular with visitors was a museum near the site that sells traditional crafts, including forged knives in commemoration of the new bullet train service. Lunch boxes containing snow crab were also on sale, as well as local delicacies such as pickled mackerel.

The tourist sites are about 10 kilometers from Fukui Station, but prefectural officials are doing their best to publicize them to the many passengers arriving on the bullet trains.