Fukui, Fukui

For other uses, see Fukui (disambiguation).
Fukui
福井市
Special city
Fukui City

From top left: Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins, Kitanosho Castle, Fukui Castle and Fukui Prefectural Government, Cherry trees along the Asuwa River, Echizen-Kaga Kaigan Quasi-National Park

Flag

Location of Fukui in Fukui Prefecture
Fukui

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 36°4′N 136°13′E / 36.067°N 136.217°E / 36.067; 136.217Coordinates: 36°4′N 136°13′E / 36.067°N 136.217°E / 36.067; 136.217
Country Japan
Region Chūbu (Hokuriku)
Prefecture Fukui Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Shin'ichi Higashimura
Area
 • Total 536.17 km2 (207.02 sq mi)
Population (November 1, 2009)
 • Total 267,428
 • Density 499/km2 (1,290/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Pine
 • Flower Hydrangea
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 3-10-1 Ōte, Fukui-shi, Fukui-ken
910-8511
Website www.city.fukui.lg.jp

Fukui (福井市 Fukui-shi) is the capital city of Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The city is located in the north-central part of the prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Demographics

As of November 1, 2009, the city has an estimated population of 267,428 and a population density of 499 persons per km². The total area is 536.17 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 by-pass.

History

The city was incorporated under its present name on April 1, 1889, although it had been an important city in the region for at least 1000 years before that, serving as the capital of Echizen province during the Edo period (1603–1868).

Fukui was devastated by Allied bombing in 1945. American heavy bombers leveled some 86% of the city during the United States sustained strategic carpet-bombing campaign against the Empire of Japan. Fukui was again devastated by a major earthquake in 1948. The city has regained its energy and vitality. Hence the city's official symbol, the phoenix.

On February 1, 2006, the town of Miyama (from Asuwa District), the town of Shimizu, and the village of Koshino (both from Nyū District) were merged into Fukui.

Climate

Fukui has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, and is especially heavy in December and January.

Climate data for Fukui, Fukui
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 5.9
(42.6)		 6.4
(43.5)		 10.7
(51.3)		 17.8
(64)		 22.6
(72.7)		 25.7
(78.3)		 29.8
(85.6)		 31.5
(88.7)		 26.9
(80.4)		 21.0
(69.8)		 15.4
(59.7)		 9.5
(49.1)		 18.6
(65.48)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.6
(36.7)		 2.7
(36.9)		 5.9
(42.6)		 12.5
(54.5)		 17.5
(63.5)		 21.2
(70.2)		 25.4
(77.7)		 26.7
(80.1)		 22.1
(71.8)		 15.9
(60.6)		 10.5
(50.9)		 5.5
(41.9)		 14.04
(57.28)
Average low °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)		 −0.5
(31.1)		 1.8
(35.2)		 7.7
(45.9)		 12.7
(54.9)		 17.5
(63.5)		 21.7
(71.1)		 22.6
(72.7)		 18.4
(65.1)		 11.6
(52.9)		 6.4
(43.5)		 2.2
(36)		 10.16
(50.29)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 306.9
(12.083)		 193.2
(7.606)		 148.1
(5.831)		 141.1
(5.555)		 145.8
(5.74)		 204.7
(8.059)		 220.0
(8.661)		 133.6
(5.26)		 216.8
(8.535)		 162.4
(6.394)		 202.7
(7.98)		 293.0
(11.535)		 2,368.3
(93.239)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 136
(53.5)		 93
(36.6)		 20
(7.9)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 1
(0.4)		 46
(18.1)		 296
(116.5)
Average relative humidity (%) 82 79 73 69 70 76 77 75 78 77 78 81 76.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 58.8 73.6 130.5 164.3 196.1 147.7 167.3 204.1 140.7 145.4 104.5 68.6 1,601.6
Source: NOAA (1961-1990) [1]

Industry

Fukui is home to several companies, including:

Susumu Fujita, the founder of Cyberagent, one of Japan's largest internet companies, is from the city of Sabae in Fukui.[2]

Transport

Rail

Fukui Station is the city's central railway station; it is a major stop on the JR West Hokuriku Main Line. It also serves as the terminus for the JR Etsumi-Hoku Line (Kuzuryū Line), the Fukui Railway Fukubu Line, and the Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara and Katsuyama Eiheiji lines.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen is currently under construction and will ultimately extend from Tokyo via Nagano and Kanazawa when completed.

Bus

Regular services are primarily provided by Keifuku Bus and Fukui Railway.

Roads

The Hokuriku Expressway provides access through the city to the north and south. The Fukui and Fukui-Kita interchanges are located within the city limits.

National Route 8, also known as the Fukui Bypass, parallels the Hokuriku Expressway through the city. Other major highways include:

Visitor attractions

Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins

Education

Universities and colleges

Secondary schools

Other schools

Sister cities

Attack on Fukui during WWII

Fukui was an important military target in the war efforts against Japan during World War II. That was because Fukui was an important industrial and railroad center. 95% percent of known industries were in the target area of the attack; which produced aircraft parts, electrical equipment, machine motors, various metal products and textiles. The attack was meant to destroy industries, disrupt rail communications, and decrease Japan’s recuperative potential. Bombing raids of the city took place on July 19, 1945. Of the city's 1.9 Sq. Miles at the time, 84.8% of Fukui was destroyed.

References

  1. ↑ "Fukui Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  2. ↑ City of Sabae website (Japanese)
  3. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20031121113413/http://www.hks35.ac.jp/
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Fukui.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fukui, Fukui.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Fukui, Fukui.

“21st Bomber Command Tactical Mission Report 277 to 281, Ocr.pdf”, n.d.

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