Discover Fukui Prefecture

Fukui
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Updated 2022-12-07 06:10

Located in the north-east of the Chubu region on the island of Honshu, Fukui Prefecture, Fukui-ken, where ken means "prefecture" or "county" in Japanese, gave its name to its capital, Fukui-shi, with shi meanings "city" in Japanese. Fukui is bordered by Kyoto Prefecture to the southwest and Gifu Prefecture to the southeast. Its northern shores meet the Sea of Japan. What are the other characteristics of Fukui? Let's discover the prefecture.

Fukui in figures

The prefecture is home to 766,863 inhabitants, most of whom live in Fukui city. The capital counts 262,328 souls and tops the other big city, Echizen, home to 80,611 inhabitants. The rural town is known throughout Japan (and beyond) for its excellent craftsmanship.

The cities of the Fukui Prefecture

Our first stop is in Tojinbo. In the extreme northwest of the prefecture lies the very impressive rocky coast facing the Sea of Japan. The roughness of the waves has produced this unique landscape, and the battered cliffs extend along the coast for nearly one kilometer. The site is classified as a natural landmark. Also in the north, but deeper inland, you can find Maruoka Castle. Located in the city of Sakai, it is the oldest castle tower in Japan. Matsuyama, a little more to the west, hosts the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which is one of the most famous in the world.

Further west, the scenery becomes mountainous, with mounts Kyogatake, Nobusegatake and Arishima. Down south lie the coastal cities of Tsuruga, Mihama, Obama, Oi and Takahama. The discreet Mount Obama was brought into the limelight with the election of Barack Obama. Hence the open support to the American president by the inhabitants of the city.

The economy of Fukui

The prefecture is home to some major specialty companies. Sash Service Kogyo, in Obama, for instance, is a wholesale building materials company. Obama Sea Foods in Obama specializes in seafood products. Fukutaka and Asahi Techno companies produce automotive components that have established themselves in Katsuyama. In the textile sector, Urase has set up business in Sabae City. These companies take advantage of the prefecture's location (by the sea) and its infrastructure (Fukui port, airport) to trade with all of Southeast Asia and the world.

The history of Fukui Prefecture

The period between the late 15th and early 16th centuries marked the end of the Sengoku era. Commander Katsuie Shibata took control of the Echizen province. With it, he conquered Fukui and turned it into a fortified city. The Kitanosho castle, which was the symbol of this prosperous era was destroyed by the commander Shibata himself, after his defeat at the battle of Shizugatake in 1553. In those times when honor was as meaningful as life, it was unconceivable for the commander to leave his castle, his secrets, into the hand of the enemy. He committed suicide and destroyed the luxurious building. It was the end of an era.

The region's revival only came by the beginning of the 12th century, when Lord Yuki Ideyasu, son of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, instilled new life into the noble castle. Unfortunately, a big fire ravaged the newly rebuilt building. Whatever remained of the castle survived until the Meiji era before disappearing for good. Thankfully, some parts of the ruins can still be seen today.

Tourism in Fukui

With its lush vegetation and protected areas, Fukui has many assets to attract tourists. However, the city aims to develop a reasoned and responsible sector instead of mass tourism.

The cliffs of Tojinbo, the Ichijodaki waterfalls, the famous Aobayama mountain, the historical road of Kumagawa juku, the waterfalls of Uriwarinotaki make up a long list of treasures of the Fukui prefecture. The trip then continues with the traditional shrines and temples, like Eiheiji temple, Echizen Great Buddha, Kehi shrine or Wakasahiko shrine which are all places full of history.

The trip to Fukui is also a culinary one. The city of Echizen is famous for its crab (echizen-gani), and soba (buckwheat noodles) echizen oroshi. In Mihama, one can also taste the "fine blue eel", caught and prepared afresh. Fukui is also known for its katsudon (breaded pork chop), the secret of which lies in the sauce.

If you are on a shopping spree, check out shopping malls such as Maruoyaka, Fukusoba, Takaiya, Echizen suisan, or Santan, to discover Echizen's soba, persimmon chips and cakes, or even spit cakes.

Useful links:

Websites in English

Fukui Prefecture official website

Ikeda City

Websites in Japanese

Fukui Prefecture – tour guide

City of Obama (translation available in Korean, Chinese and English)

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