Echizen Town

Echizen Town now contains Asahi Town (朝日町) and Ota Town (織田町)

ECHIZEN TOWN
越前町

The whole northern half of Fukui used to be called “Echizen” way back when, so many things still have the name “Echizen” attached to them i.e. Miyazaki's Echizen pottery village and the entire coast from Mikuni to Tsuruga, known as Echizen-Kaigan (越前海岸).

The actual town of Echizen is 7,500 people crammed in between the hills and the sea. Echizen Town stretches along the coast for about 10 km, but rarely gets more than 1 km wide. What it lacks in supermarkets or 24-hour convenience stores, is made up for by its winding road and friendly fishermen who speak Echizen's strong dialect. With delightful hot springs and delicious seafood (especially crab), Echizen is popular amongst Japanese tourists, yielding many inns, restaurants with elaborate cuisine, several small karaoke bars, and a few coffee shops.

MUNICIPAL FACILITIES & TRANSPORTATION

You need to have a car as there is no train and buses aren't worth the hassle. Follow Route 365 from Ota and turn left onto 264. Once in Echizen there is only one road (route 05) so you can't really get lost.

HOSPITALS, DENTISTS & PHARMACIES

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RESTAURANTS & CAFES

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SPORTS & RECREATION

SWIMMING
There are various swimming beaches along the coast near Echizen. Look for the characters: 海水浴場 written on the concrete walls beside the road. Echizen's beaches are a bit pebbly (Koshino, 10 km to the north has a sandy one), but there's a pretty good one near Active House, just south of Isaribi and near the ALT's house behind Uotake. At Active House there is a restaurant and you can also pay about ¥1500 to use the indoor pools and gym. There are also places to dive and fish.

ACTIVE HOUSE
Just south of Isaribi and near the ALT's house behind Uotake. At Active House there is a restaurant and you can also pay about ¥1500 to use the indoor pools and gym. There are also places to dive and fish.

SHOPPING

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

ONSEN
For outdoor bathing the best place is Isaribi (漁り火). It's quite small, but really wonderful with a view of the sea. I recommend going at sunset if you can. The cost is ¥400. Driving south it is before Active House on the right. For indoor bathing with a view of the sea, Uotake (うおたけ) is about 500m north of Isaribi. It is a big blue building and costs ¥500. There is also a coffee shop/restaurant here.

SIGHTSEEING

CRAB
Echizen is famous for its crabs. They are large-up to 40 cm across and expensive (as much as ¥10,000). The best season is in winter from Nov. to Feb. They are quite tasty so do try if you get the chance.

DAFFODILS
Suisen (水仙), or narcissus are a fragrant variety of daffodil (the prefectural flower) and grow in abundance along the coast. For the daffodil fanatics amongst you, Suisen-land is about 10 min. to the north of town. There is a large walk in enclosure kept at 15 degrees-very nice in the summer heat.

BARS & CLUBS

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