Population: 806,500 (43rd in Japan)

Number of households: 269,300 (45th in Japan)

Area (km²): 4,189.88 (33rd in Japan)

Gross prefectural product (in billions of yen): 3,281 (40th in Japan)

Glasses frame

Echizen queen crab

Echizen Beach

(C)Federation of Fukui sightseeing

Located approximately in the middle of Honshu, the largest island in Japan, this prefecture boasts the beautiful scenery of the smooth coastline along the Sea of Japan. The seasons are distinct and the temperature drops with the winter winds from the northwest, bringing many cloudy and snowy days. The diverse natural beauty of the four seasons brings joy to the residents and visitors alike.

In addition to prospering as a key region for transportation by linking the regions of Kansai and the Sea of Japan coast, Fukui is also a prefecture into which culture entered from the Asian continent. Since ancient times, its economy and culture have prospered. One of its great features now is the abundance and variety of tourist focusing on resources nature and history, including traditional events and cuisine as well as Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Representative industries include textiles and eyeglasses frames the highest share in Japan. Known also as a rice-producing region, the famous Koshihikari rice brand was born in Fukui Prefecture. In addition, 15 nuclear power plants based along the coastal region provide about 17% of Japan's nuclear power (As of March,2010). Three large-scale industrial parks have convenient access by JR trains and the Hokuriku and Maizuru-Wakasa Expressways.

With its long coastline, Fukui Prefecture has numerous scenic sites, including the Echizen Coast, Wakasa Bay and the magnificent sheer cliffs of Tojinbo. The Echizen Coast, a national park, is known as one of the three great daffodil regions of Japan. Furthermore, other delights include Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of Soto Zen Buddhism, known as a training center for meditation, Awara Hot Springs, with 120 years of history, and Echizen crab and other seafood from the Sea of Japan.