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Prefecture capital and Core city in Chūbu, Japan
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Fukui (福井市 Fukui-shi) is the capital city of Fukui Prefecture. In 2017, it had a population of 264,000 people. It is home to the Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins, one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Japan.
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福井城
The castle was built in 1606 by Yuki Hideyasu after he was given control of the province as thanks for siding with the victors in the Battle of Sekigahara. The castle name (as well as the city and prefecture) comes from a lucky well (福の井) which you can still visit today on the castle grounds. The castle has some well-preserved walls and moat but none of the buildings remain. The prefectural office is located within the ruins where parts of the castle once stood, but visitors are free to roam the grounds outside of the prefectural office.
福井市立郷土歴史博物館
Contains interesting displays on the history of the local area from early civilizations to its days as a castle town to the bombings in WWII.
養浩館庭園
A small but scenic strolling garden.
ブータンミュージアム
Touted as the only museum of its kind outside of Bhutan, the museum has a variety of Bhutanese cultural items on display for visitors to see and learn more about. They also feature many pictures of scenery and famous places in Bhutan. Fukui City has a special relationship with the kingdom of Bhutan, so cultural exchanges between the two take place annually. There are also many books for those with more time who really want to learn more about the country.
福井県立美術館
The prefectural art museum with special exhibits throughout the year.
福井市自然史博物館
A museum showcasing the local flora, fauna and geology.
おさごえ民家園
A small folk village with five historic thatched-roof houses on display as an open-air museum.
福井市美術館
The permanent exhibit contains many sculptures by Hiroatsu Takata, but special exhibits are the biggest draw. Check to see what will be featured during your visit to determine if it's worth your time to visit.
一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡
一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡資料館
A museum showcasing artifacts excavated from the nearby Ichijodani Asakura Historic Site.
極楽湯
Though overshadowed by the famous onsen in Awara, Gokurakuyu is a large onsen complex in Fukui city, and a great place to relax. It has an outdoor bathing area, sauna, super-jet baths, electric baths, and a bed of heated gems/jewels that you lie down on. Japanese-style massages available for an additional fee.
まる八
Serves oroshi soba and katsudon among others.
秋吉
This is a Katamachi (片町) branch of Akiyoshi, a locally owned yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant which has many branches hroughout Fukui and the larger area. All branches have a picture menu, and most have an English one, if you ask (or they notice that you're not Japanese). Look for a red lantern sign at the entrance, and a line of business men eating and drinking at the counter. The surrounding street of Katamachi is full of other izakaya, Japanese-style pubs.
小川家
One of the most famous sauce katsudon restaurants in the city.
ヨーロッパ軒
One of the most famous sauce katsudon restaurants, claiming its origin. It's quite typical for there to be a line outside waiting to enter.
カーサ
A weekend night club with DJs and dancing.
ザ・グランユアーズフクイ
ホテルフジタ福井
ホテル京福 福井駅前
福井プラザホテル
城町アネックス
タウンホテル福井
つきみ旅館
アオッサ
A shopping mall that created a lot of excitement when it opened in 2007, but then turned out not to be worth all the fuss. It has a cafe and some clothing stores on the first floor, Chinese restaurant on the third, public library on the fourth and a theater on the top floor. It is across from Fukui Station.
エルパ
A popular shopping mall, the largest in the prefecture.
By train
Fukui is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo, with the fastest trains traveling the distance in 2:51 (¥15,810).
By bus
The Dream Fukui overnight bus service runs from both Tokyo Station and Shinjuku to the Keifuku Bus Terminal in Fukui (9 hours, ¥7,800-9,200 one-way). The price varies between seasons.
On foot
While there are enough sites within walking distance of the station to tour on foot, many sites are too far apart for walking to be a viable option.
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Kanazawa · International · KMQ
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