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Fukui

福井市
Seen from Mt.Asuwa Fukui City Skyline distant view
Fukui Castle Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins
Asuwa Jinjya Fukui City Water Service Memorial
Cherry trees along the Asuwa River Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park
Flag of Fukui
Flag
Official seal of Fukui
Seal
Location of Fukui in Fukui Prefecture
Location of Fukui in Fukui Prefecture
Fukui is located in Japan
Fukui
Fukui
Location in Japan
Country Japan
Region Chūbu (Hokuriku)
Prefecture Fukui
Area
 • Total 536.41 km2 (207.11 sq mi)
Population
 (July 1, 2017)
 • Total 264,217
 • Density 492.565/km2 (1,275.738/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number 0776-20-5111
Address 3-10-1 Ōte, Fukui-shi, Fukui-ken 910-8511
Climate Cfa
Symbols
Flower Hydrangea
Tree Pine

Fukui (福井市, Fukui-shi) is the capital city of Fukui Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March  2024 (2024 -03-01), the city had an estimated population of 255,332 in 107,553 households. Its total area is 536.41 square kilometres (207.11 sq mi)and its population density is about 476 persons per km2. Most of the population lives in a small central area; the city limits include rural plains, mountainous areas, and suburban sprawl along the Route 8 bypass.

Overview

Cityscape

Geography

Fukui is located in the coastal plain in north-central part of the prefecture. It is bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Ryōhaku Mountains to the east. The Kuzuryū River flows through the city.

Climate

Fukui has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, and is especially heavy in December and January.

Climate data for Fukui (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1897−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.9
(67.8)
21.8
(71.2)
26.2
(79.2)
32.0
(89.6)
34.5
(94.1)
36.4
(97.5)
38.6
(101.5)
38.5
(101.3)
37.7
(99.9)
32.3
(90.1)
27.5
(81.5)
24.6
(76.3)
38.6
(101.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1)
7.8
(46.0)
12.2
(54.0)
18.3
(64.9)
23.3
(73.9)
26.5
(79.7)
30.4
(86.7)
32.2
(90.0)
27.7
(81.9)
22.1
(71.8)
16.0
(60.8)
9.8
(49.6)
19.4
(66.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.2
(37.8)
3.7
(38.7)
7.2
(45.0)
12.8
(55.0)
18.1
(64.6)
22.0
(71.6)
26.1
(79.0)
27.4
(81.3)
23.1
(73.6)
17.1
(62.8)
11.3
(52.3)
5.9
(42.6)
14.8
(58.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9)
0.3
(32.5)
2.8
(37.0)
7.8
(46.0)
13.4
(56.1)
18.2
(64.8)
22.7
(72.9)
23.7
(74.7)
19.4
(66.9)
13.1
(55.6)
7.3
(45.1)
2.7
(36.9)
11.0
(51.8)
Record low °C (°F) −15.1
(4.8)
−14.3
(6.3)
−9.9
(14.2)
−2.6
(27.3)
1.3
(34.3)
7.3
(45.1)
12.8
(55.0)
13.4
(56.1)
7.7
(45.9)
0.5
(32.9)
−1.5
(29.3)
−11.2
(11.8)
−15.1
(4.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 284.9
(11.22)
167.7
(6.60)
160.7
(6.33)
137.2
(5.40)
139.1
(5.48)
152.8
(6.02)
239.8
(9.44)
150.7
(5.93)
212.9
(8.38)
153.8
(6.06)
196.1
(7.72)
304.0
(11.97)
2,299.6
(90.54)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 85
(33)
58
(23)
14
(5.5)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
31
(12)
186
(73)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm) 24.3 20.0 17.4 13.3 12.0 11.9 13.5 9.9 12.4 13.4 17.5 23.5 189.2
Average relative humidity (%) 82 78 71 68 68 74 76 73 76 76 78 81 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 65.4 88.4 136.3 172.3 191.1 146.8 155.4 205.7 151.2 154.4 114.4 72.2 1,653.7
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
Climate data for Koshino, Fukui City (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.8
(67.6)
21.4
(70.5)
24.4
(75.9)
30.5
(86.9)
33.6
(92.5)
34.7
(94.5)
38.2
(100.8)
37.6
(99.7)
36.6
(97.9)
31.1
(88.0)
26.1
(79.0)
22.9
(73.2)
38.2
(100.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6)
8.5
(47.3)
11.9
(53.4)
17.2
(63.0)
22.0
(71.6)
25.0
(77.0)
29.3
(84.7)
30.9
(87.6)
26.8
(80.2)
21.5
(70.7)
16.4
(61.5)
11.1
(52.0)
19.1
(66.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.5
(41.9)
5.5
(41.9)
8.2
(46.8)
13.1
(55.6)
17.8
(64.0)
21.3
(70.3)
25.7
(78.3)
27.2
(81.0)
23.4
(74.1)
18.3
(64.9)
13.3
(55.9)
8.2
(46.8)
15.6
(60.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.9
(37.2)
2.7
(36.9)
4.8
(40.6)
9.2
(48.6)
14.0
(57.2)
18.3
(64.9)
22.8
(73.0)
24.3
(75.7)
20.6
(69.1)
15.6
(60.1)
10.4
(50.7)
5.5
(41.9)
12.6
(54.7)
Record low °C (°F) −3.8
(25.2)
−4.7
(23.5)
−1.2
(29.8)
0.6
(33.1)
6.9
(44.4)
10.1
(50.2)
16.2
(61.2)
17.6
(63.7)
13.6
(56.5)
6.9
(44.4)
1.5
(34.7)
−1.3
(29.7)
−4.7
(23.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 218.4
(8.60)
139.8
(5.50)
156.6
(6.17)
143.0
(5.63)
157.6
(6.20)
157.8
(6.21)
225.7
(8.89)
146.7
(5.78)
230.2
(9.06)
166.1
(6.54)
173.6
(6.83)
253.8
(9.99)
2,169.4
(85.41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 23.6 18.3 15.5 12.0 11.3 11.3 12.4 8.7 11.8 11.8 15.7 23.0 175.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 46.2 72.7 132.9 176.3 194.2 145.9 163.9 215.4 150.4 138.8 96.7 53.8 1,587.3
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

Neighbouring municipalities

Fukui PrefectureFukui Prefecture

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Fukui has remained relatively steady over the past 40 years.

Census data
Year Pop. ±%
1873 39,784 —    
1970 231,901 +482.9%
1980 259,638 +12.0%
1990 270,911 +4.3%
2000 269,557 −0.5%
2010 266,796 −1.0%
2020 262,328 −1.7%
Source: Fukui population statistics, Japanese Imperial Commission [1] (1873)

History

Origins

Fukui originally consisted of the old provinces of Wakasa and Echizen, before the prefecture was formed in 1871.

During the Edo period, the daimyō of the region was surnamed Matsudaira, and was a descendant of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Sengoku period

In 1471, Asakura had displaced the Shiba clan as the shugo military commander of Echizen Province. The same year, Asakura Toshikage (1428–1481) fortified the Ichijōdani by constructing hilltop fortifications on the surrounding mountains and constructing walls and gates to seal off the northern and southern end of the valley. Within this area, he contracted a fortified mansion, surrounded by the homes of his relatives and retainers, and eventually by the residences of merchants and artisans, and Buddhist temples. He offered refuge to people of culture or skills from Kyoto attempting to escape the conflict of the Ōnin War, and the Ichijōdani became a major cultural, military, and population center, and by the time of Asakura Takakage (1493–1548) it had a peak population of over 10,000 inhabitants. Yoshikage succeeded his father as head of the Asakura clan and castle lord of Ichijōdani Castle in 1548.

The Asakura maintained good relations with the Ashikaga shogunate, and thus eventually came into conflict with Oda Nobunaga. Following Nobunaga's capture of Kyoto, Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshiaki appointed Asakura Yoshikage as regent and requested aid in driving Nobunaga out of the capital. As a result, Nobunaga launched an invasion of Echizen Province. Due to Yoshikage's lack of military skill, Nobunaga's forces were successful at the Siege of Kanegasaki and subsequent Battle of Anegawa in 1570, leaving the entire Asakura Domain open to invasion.

Ichijōdani was razed to the ground by Nobunaga during the 1573 Siege of Ichijōdani Castle.

Kitanosho Castle is known, though that it was built by Shibata Katsuie in 1575. Also, it appears that the tenshu (keep) was nine stories high, making it the largest of the time.

Edo period

Castle town and centre of Fukui Domain during the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate. Fukui Domain played a key role in the Meiji restoration. The modern city of Fukui was founded with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889.

Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods

During the pre-war period, Fukui grew to become an important industrial and railroad centre. Factories in the area produced aircraft parts, electrical equipment, machine motors, various metal products and textiles.

Fukui was largely destroyed on June 19, 1945 during the Bombing of Fukui during World War II. Of the city's 1.9 sq mi (4.9 km2) at the time, 84.8% of Fukui was destroyed, per the United States Army Air Forces's Strategic Bombing Survey.

Modern Fukui

Fukui was again devastated by a major earthquake in 1948.

On February 1, 2006, the town of Miyama (from Asuwa District), the town of Shimizu, and the village of Koshino (both from Nyū District) were merged into Fukui.

Fukui's city status was designated a core city on April 1, 2019.

International relations

Fukui International Activities Plaza03b3200
Fukui International Activities Plaza

Sister cities

International

Fukui is twinned with:

Sister cities
City Country State since
New Brunswick United StatesUnited States New Jersey May, 1982
Fullerton United StatesUnited States California November, 1989
Friendship cities
City Country State since
China Hangzhou China China China Zhejiang November, 1989
Suwon South Korea South Korea Gyeonggi April, 2001

National

Sister cities
City Prefecture region since
Kumamoto Kumamoto Prefecture Kumamoto Kyūshū region November, 1994
Friendship cities
City Prefecture region since
Yūki Ibaraki Prefecture Ibaraki Kantō region April, 2002
Partnership cities
City Prefecture region since
Nagano Nagano Prefecture Nagano Chūbu region August 9, 2013

Economy

Fukuiken Nogyo Kaikan
Fukui Prefecture Agricultural Cooperatives
Fisheries Cooperative Association of Fukui city
Fisheries Cooperative Association of FukuiCity

The economy of Fukui is mixed. The city is a regional commercial and finance centre; however, manufacturing, agriculture and commercial fishing also are contributors to the local economy.

Primary sector of the economy

Agriculture

Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA)
  • Fukui Prefecture Agricultural Cooperatives (JA FukuiPrefecture)

Fishing industry

Japan Fisheries cooperative (JF)
  • FukuiCity Fisheries cooperative (JF FukuiCity)

Secondary sector of industry

Manufacturing industry

Fukui is home to several companies, including:

  • Kumagai Gumi, a large general construction company, was founded and has its registered head office in the city.
  • Matsuura Machinery, an international heavy machinery manufacturing company
  • Morinaga Hokuriku Dairy, a dairy products subsidiary of Morinaga Milk Industry

Tertiary sector of industry

Service industry

  • Emori Shoji, a trading house with strong ties to China
  • Keifuku Bus


Education

Fukuidaigaku-Hospital
University of Fukui

Universities and colleges

  • Fukui College of Health Sciences
  • Fukui Prefectural University
  • Fukui University of Technology
  • Jin-ai Women's College
  • University of Fukui

Secondary schools

  • Asuwa Senior High School
  • Fujishima Senior High School
  • Fukui Commercial Senior High School
  • Fukui Minami Senior High School
  • Fukui Norin Senior High School
  • Fukui University of Technology - Fukui Senior High School
  • Hokuriku Senior High School
  • Jin-ai Girl's Senior High School
  • Kagaku-Gijutsu Senior High School
  • Keishin Senior High School
  • Koshi Senior High School
  • Michimori Senior High School
  • Usui Senior High School

Other schools

  • Fukui Prefectural School for the Blind
  • Fukui Prefectural School for the Deaf
  • A North Korean school: Hokuriku Korean Elementary and Junior High School (北陸朝鮮初中級学校).

Transport

JR West Fukui Station East Exit 20180814(2) as
Fukui Station
Fukui Railway F1003
Fukui Railway Fukubu Line
Fukui-kita IC
Fukui-kita IC
(Hokuriku Expressway)
TakasuKo Takasu Area
Port of Takasu

Railways

High-speed rail

JR logo (west).svg West Japan Railway Company (JR West)

Shinkansen service began on 16 March 2024.

Conventional lines

JR logo (west).svg West Japan Railway Company (JR West)
  • Etsumi-Hoku Line (Kuzuryū Line): Echizen-Hanandō - Rokujō - Asuwa - Echizen-Tōgō - Ichijōdani - Echizen-Takada - Ichinami - Kowashōzu - Miyama - Echizen-Yakushi - Echizen-Ōmiya - Hakariishi
Fukutetsu Logomark.svg Fukui Railway
  • Fukubu Line: Sanjūhassha - Taichō no Sato - Asōzu - Harmony Hall - Seimei - Ebata - Bell-mae - Hanandō - Sekijūjimae - Shokokaigisho-mae - Asuwayama-Koenguchi - Fukui Castle Ruins-daimyomachi - Jin'ai Joshikōkō - Tawaramachi
Echitetsu Logomark.svg Echizen Railway
  • Mikuni Awara: Fukui - Shin-Fukui - Fukuiguchi - Matsumoto Machiya - Nishi-Betsuin - Tawaramachi - Fukudaimae-Nishi-Fukui - Nikkakagaku-Mae - Yatsushima - Nittazuka - Nakatsuno - Jin'ai Ground-Mae - Washizuka-Haribara
  • Katsuyama Eiheiji Line: Fukui - Shin-Fukui - Fukuiguchi - Echizen-Kaihotsu - Echizen-Shinbo - Oiwakeguchi - Higashi-Fujishima - Echizen-Shimabashi

Hapi Line Fukui

Service on the third-sector line formerly belonging to JR West began operations on 16 March 2024 when the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended to Tsuruga.

  • Ōdoro - Echizen-Hanandō - Fukui - Morita

Roads

Expressways

  • JP Expressway E8.svg Hokuriku Expressway

Japan National Route

  • National Route 8
  • National Route 158
  • National Route 305
  • National Route 364
  • National Route 416

Seaways

Sea Port

  • Port of Takasu


Visitor attractions

Asakura Yakata of Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins09n4592
Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins
  • Asuwa River
  • Fukui International Activities Plaza
  • Harmony Hall Fukui
  • Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins, one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Japan
  • Fukui Castle
  • Fukui Fine Arts Museum
  • Kitanosho Castle
  • Peace Pagoda, the second of its kind in the world, inaugurated in 1959
  • Yōkōkan Garden
  • "Yoroppaken", creator of Fukui's trademark dish, sauce katsudon (ソースカツ丼)

Culture

Sports

Baseball

  • Fukui Wild Raptors (BC.League)

Handball

  • Hokuriku Electric Power Company Blue Thunder (JHL)

Soccer

  • Fukui United FC (Hokushinetsu Football League)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fukui (Fukui) para niños

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Fukui (city) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.