Echizen, Fukui
Template:Infobox City Japan Echizen (越前市, Echizen-shi) is a city located in Fukui, Japan.
As of August 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 86,562 and the density of 375 persons per km². The total area is 230.75 km².
Echizen has several large electronics and apparel factories, but it is known for the large number of small businesses that flourish there; indeed, the local joke that everyone in town addresses each other as "shacho" ("company president") is almost true. Echizen is home to a small but vibrant community of Brazilians, who mostly work in a ceramic capacitor factory, and a smaller Chinese community, largely linked to the garment industry. A large contingency of foreign English teachers also lives in Echizen teaching at local High schools, middle schools,and elementary schools. These foreigners can most easily be found at their local haunts, Matsuri Sushi, Tom's Toast, and various other restaurants around town.
History
Echizen city was incorporated in its present form on October 1, 2005, when the city of Takefu and the town of Imadate (from Imadate District) merged to form the new city, although it has been an important regional center for over 1500 years. It has two former castle sites and some prehistoric archeological sites. Echizen is known for its well over 300 shrines and temples. It was the home (for a year) of Murasaki Shikibu, the celebrated author of The Tale of Genji. Her father was governor of the Heian province of Echizen.
Festivals
- Echizen Manzai, ranked one of Japan's most important folk customs
- The Takefu International Music Festival
- Takefu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival, ranked in Japan's top 3 chrysanthemum doll festivals
- Takefu Summer Festival
- Souja Daijingura Festival
- Onigadake Fire Festival
- Mt. Hino festival
- Imadate contemporary art festival
- International Tannan Art Festival
- Tannan Industrial Fair
Famous Products
- Echizen soba
- Echizen crab
- Echizen washi
- Echizen cutlery
- Echizen pottery
- Habutaemaki
- Habutaemochi
- Satsukigase
- Mizuyoukan
- Kenkera
- Bolga rice
- Chrysanthemum dolls
- Chrysanthemum soft cream
- Chrysanthemum wine
Images
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A neighborhood called Kyomachi in the center of the city -
Nishitakefu Station on the Fukui Railroad -
Takefu-Shin Station on the Fukui Railroad -
Mt. Hino during cherry blossom season -
Takefu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival
External links
Media related to Echizen, Fukui at Wikimedia Commons
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