Fukui (福井市; -shi) is a city located in the Hokuriku region within the Chubu region of Japan, which is on Honshu island. It is the largest city and capital of Fukui Prefecture. Fukui is proud of its sister city relationships with Fullerton, California, and New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the United States.

The city is located to the north of Lake Biwa, on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

The people of Fukui speak a provincial dialect called Fukui-ben.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 252,285 and the density of 740.71 persons per km². The total area is 340.60 km², although most of the population lives in a small central area; by area the city is mostly agricultural plains and mountainous areas.

The city was founded on April 1, 1889.

Fukui shi was devastated by Allied bombing in 1945, and again by a major earthquake in 1948. The city has regained its energy and vitality. Hence, the city's official symbol-the phoenix. The JR (Japan Railways) Hokuriku shinkansen (bullet train) line from Kyoto through Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, and Nagano to Tokyo is far along in construction and will be completed in the next few years.

External links

• Official Fukui city website