0
You might not have heard of Fukui but there are many amazing things in this lesser known prefecture. Let WAttention introduce you to some fantastic facts that you can use in your next conversation about Japan.
1) Fukui has one of the few 8K Planetariums in the world
The shopping complex “Happiring” features a brand new planetarium with an amazing 8K screen. Only a handful of planetariums in the world offer this experience.
Besides the regular screenings the planetarium itself is a fun interactive environment.
Location: Seiren Planet Fukui
Hours: 10am – 6:30pm (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun), 10am – 9pm (Fr & Sat), Closed every second Wednesday of the month
Admission:410 JPY (adults) / Dome Theater 620yen (adults) , 310 JPY (children from age 3 to high schoolers), Free (children under 3)
Address: 1-2-1 Chuo, Fukui City
Access: right next to JR Fukui Station
URL:www.fukui-planet.com/index.php
2) Dinosaurs are everywhere!
The largest dinosaur excavation site in Japan is in Fukui. In fact, they were able to keep digging from 1989 until 1993 and still found dinosaur fossils. Even today they are still trying to find new fossils. Of course the city is extremely proud of its dinosaur museum which is considered 3rd best in the world. The scriptwriter for the movie “Jurassic Park” even came to the museum to give a lecture.
Location: Katsuyama City, Fukui
Hours: 9am – 5pm (last entry at 4:30pm) / closed every 2nd and 4th Wednesday
Admission: 1,200yen (adults) / 1,000yen (high school and college students) / 600yen (primary/secondary school students)
Address: 51-11 Terao, Muroko, Katsuyama, Fukui 911-8601
Access: from JR Fukui Station, go to Katsuyama on the Echizen Railway Eiheiji Katsuyama Line (1hour). There is a bus from Katsuyama station to the museum (10min).
URL: https://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/en/ & http://www.fuku-e.com/lang/english/feature/feature-dinosaur_museum.php
3) The Matrix+Fukui=…?
Glasses! Fukui has tons of glasses and in fact, they make about 10% of all the glasses in Japan. The brand Sabae was the first company to start using a light titanium frame for glasses and even now about 96% of all the frames in Japan are made by Sabae. These Japanese frames from Fukui are such top notch quality that Neo, played by Keanu Reeves, from the movie “The Matrix” allowed a pair to adorn his face.
4) Amazing Cherry Blossoms
The Asuwa River that runs right through Fukui City has a cherry blossom riverbed of 2km long with about 600 trees. Every spring visitors come from all over Japan and even deem it one of Japan’s finest spring views. It’s also included in the list of 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. When the trees are in full bloom there is a festival and illumination at night.
5) Rich History
As a first time visitor to Fukui I was surprised myself to discover how much history is packed into one prefecture. The ruling Matsudaira clan of Fukui produced the first Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and was the main target for famous warlord Oda Nobunaga. On top of all that, Ichijodani had a rich culture well advanced for its time. There are streets from the Edo period that are still intact with picturesque storefronts and traditional goods. I’m sure that if you explore Fukui yourself you will find many more Fantastic Fukui Facts.
WATTENTION NINJA WRITER PROFILE
From popular culture to traditional culture, I’ve immersed myself in both. I love writing about tradition, history and sharing fun discoveries. If I’m not outside watching a festival parade I’m leisurely reading manga in kimono.
