A little west of central Honshu, Fukui Prefecture is located just above Kyoto and Gifu prefectures, with the Sea of Japan to its north. This prefecture, so rich in nature, is surrounded on the other three sides by mountains. Its culture is complex: Fukui is a single integrated prefecture comprised of two areas known as Reinan and Reihoku. This is why culture, customs, and words can differ entirely between Fukui’s northern and southern areas. The Reihoku area is close to Kanazawa, and it often snows in winter. The Reinan area has many bays, and is relatively warm with little snowfall. Culturally, it is said to be quite similar to Kyoto. One common point is the delicious seafood. The names of certain Fukui delicacies, such as Echizen crab and deep-water shrimp, are known nationwide.
Fukui is also known for its fascinating points of culture, which once seen are never forgotten, including dinosaurs, eyeglasses, and deep-fried tofu. The surrounding area includes many major tourist destinations such as Kyoto and Kanazawa. Travel within Fukui will surely lead to a deeper encounter with Japan.