Fukui (福井市,Fukui-shi;Japanese pronunciation:[ɸɯ̥.kɯꜜ(.)i,ɸɯ̥.kɯ(.)i,ɸɯ̥.kɯ.iꜜ.ɕi,ɸɯ̥.kɯꜜi.ɕi][1]) is thecapital city ofFukui Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2024[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 255,332 in 107,553 households.[2] Its total area is 536.41 square kilometres (207.11 sq mi)[3] and itspopulation 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. Having suffered devastation duringWorld War II andan earthquake in 1948, Fukui was nicknamed 'Phoenix City', symbolising its rebirth from ashes and destruction.[4]
Fukui is located on the coastal plain in the north-central part of the prefecture. It is bordered by theSea of Japan to the west and theRyōhaku Mountains to the east. TheKuzuryū River flows through the city.
In 1471, Asakura had displaced theShiba clan as theshugo military commander ofEchizen Province.[10] 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 theŌnin 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.[11][12]
Kitanosho Castle is known, though that it was built byShibata Katsuie in 1575. Also, it appears that thetenshu (keep) was nine stories high, making it the largest of the time.
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 has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city legislature of 32 members. The city also contributes 12 members to the Fukui Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, Fukui forms part ofFukui 1st district, a single-member constituency of theHouse of Representatives in the nationalDiet of Japan.
Fukui Prefecture Agricultural CooperativesFisheries 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.
Shinkansen service began on 16 March 2024, when the route was extended from Kanazawa in Ishikawa, north of Fukui Prefecture, to Tsuruga in the south of Fukui.[22]
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.[23]
^"朝倉 義景" [Asakura Yoshikage].Nihon Jinmei Daijiten (日本人名大辞典) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived fromthe original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved2012-08-22.
^"朝倉 義景" [Asakura Yoshikage].Nihon Kokugo Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012.OCLC56431036. Archived fromthe original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved2012-08-22.
^"朝倉 義景" [Asakura Yoshikage].Kokushi Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012.OCLC683276033. Archived fromthe original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved2012-08-22.
^"朝倉義景" [Asakura Yoshikage].Dijitaru Daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012.OCLC56431036. Archived fromthe original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved2012-08-22.
^Turnbull, Stephen (1987).Battles of the Samurai. Arms and Armour Press. p. 60.ISBN978-0853688266.
^"Archived copy".www.hks35.ac.jp. Archived fromthe original on 21 November 2003. Retrieved11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"並行在来線「ハピラインふくい」開業 記念グッズに目輝かせるファンも" [Parallel conventional line "Hapi-Line Fukui" opens as commemorative goods go on sale].Fukui Keizai Shimbun. 16 March 2024. Retrieved16 March 2024.