Weaving a Path Into Trading With China
By MORITO MITSUYA
At the end of last year, Fukui Prefecture decided to reinstate the Komatsu Airport (Komastu City, Ishikawa Prefecture) as ''Fukui's gateway of the sky,'' in its Fukui Prefecture Economy and Society Vitalization Plan.
Fukui Prefecture already had its own Fukui Airport (Harue City) and was in the development of expansion, but decided in June last year to discontinue this project.Access from Komatsu Airport to Fukui City is about 50 minutes by car and takes about one hour by regular bus to Fukui's only hot spring district Awara Onsen.
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An eyeglass factory in Sabae City
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Receiving this honorable role as ''Fukui's gateway of the sky,'' Komatsu Airport agreed to cooperate with Fukui Prefecture in establishing a regular international flight to Shanghai.
Establishing an air route to China via the nearby Komatsu Airport will become an enormous advantage for Fukui Prefecture, as its business community is expanding its business with China.
The most well-known local industry of Fukui Prefecture is Sabae City's eyeglass industry and its high-tech textile industry, which is highly recognized in the international market. It boasts a 90 % market share of eyeglass frames in Japan and a 20 % share in the global market.
As the prefecture is striving to grow its export shares, the prefecture currently has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Milano and New York to promote its local industry exports around the world, as it is important to establish sales routes as well as provide information feedback.
Approximately 70 of about 90 companies in the prefecture that have established their presence abroad have offices in China. This is the most number of Chinese branches within the three Hokuriku prefectures.
Foreseeing Fukui Prefecture's industry demand, Ishikawa Prefecture is considering the immediate operation of a Shanghai charter flight from Komatsu Airport. If plans go accordingly, a total of 35 roundtrip flights will be operated twice a week, from March to July as a test to establish a regular route. Promotional activities for this test have been conducted since last fall.
Originally, it was the norm for tourists to Fukui Prefecture to transfer onto local train lines from the Shinkansen when visiting Fukui. The prefecture is now enthusiastically promoting the convenient route of coming to Fukui by air via Komatsu Airport. As a part of the promotional activities, they have established a Fukui Prefecture specialty and souvenir shopping area within the Komatsu Airport Terminal Building to persuade tourists to visit Fukui.
Spiritual Rocks, Formed from Thousands of Years
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SOTOMO
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Passengers boarding a sightseeing boats
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The Echizen Coastline, located in the Echizen Kaga Coastal Quasi-National Park, is lined with strong-curbed roads, where drivers can enjoy the majestic view of turquoise blue waves breaking into white caps. Tourists visiting Fukui Prefecture on large tourist buses will notice this splendid coastline view in the beginning of their trip. As Fukui Prefecture is located on the Sea of Japan coastline, it is a famous tourist spot for beach lovers in the summer and crab connoisseurs in the winter. In the coming spring, Fukui will shed its beautiful nature of a green landscape contrasted with a blue sea.
A favored tourist attraction is the Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park ''Sotomo Tour.'' This boat tour, which guides tourists to visit the spiritually beautiful rock formations that were created from thousands of years of encroachment of the sea, sets out from the Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf.
Although regular boats set out every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., many extra Boats are provided on Sundays and holidays when there are many tourists.
The Sightseeing Boat, which guides tourists on this ''Sotomo Tour,'' is the Dai-Ni Wakasa, which can accommodate approximately 200 passengers. The boat journeys around a 6-kilometer island of beautifully formed rocks. The breathtaking views and forms that the sea has created will inspire passengers.
The beautiful forms created from erosion and the unique and massive ''Daimon/Shomon'' rock formation, which allows the small boat to just pass through, are just some of the scenic views the boat will guide passengers to during its 50-minute ride. Tourists are recommended to experience this boat ride in Kohama City, when visiting Fukui.
Also, the ''Wakasa Washi'' is well known as Obama City's traditional craft. With a history of 1,200 years, Obama City proudly continues to create this strong and remarkable Japanese handmade traditional paper.
This Echizan washi is also famous for its use as a ''fusuma window paper'' for Japanese-style rooms and houses. The smoothness of handmade paper and the natural textile designs created from the many paper fibers used in the paper is valued as an important decor for Japanese-style rooms.
Recently, washi is also being recognized as an environment-friendly material. As washi is created from plants, it has natural ventilation abilities and can help in adjusting room temperature. It is a material that is friendly to our health as well. Wakasa washi is also used for other functions. Lampshades made of Wakasa washi are being favored for the warm and moody lighting they create.
Indulging in the Town Rotenburo While Enjoying a Beautiful Sunset (Echizencho)
Tourists are flocking to the ''Isaribi'' rotenburo hot spring, where they can enjoy the sunset by the sea, the fishing lights of the many calamari fishing ships, and the seabirds crying while taking a dip into the hot and soothing onsen bath. Isaribi Onsen is located on the coastline just a stone's throw from the Sea of Japan. The sunset disappearing into the horizon and the dreamy lights of the fishing ships that dot the vast panoramic view helps soothe the aches from the long and weary trip of each tourist.
Open on weekdays from 1 p.m.-9 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Closed every Monday (closed on Tuesdays when Mondays are holidays) and from Dec. 30-Jan. 3.
Rates: Adults \400, elementary students \200, \100 for children over 3.
For details, call the Tourism Section, Echizen Town Office at 0778-37-7714 or log on to:http://www.town.echizen.fukui.jp/
Awara Hot Springs
Awara Onsen, located in Fukui Prefecture's Awara city, is an onsen district with a vast history. Thirty-six ryokan-style inns can be found in this peaceful countryside.
The ''Awara Onsen Spring Festival'' is the busiest time of this quiet rural city.
Beginning at the end of April and throughout Golden Week, the festival features three mikoshi that journey through the entire city, accompanied by music played by geisha and many other performances.
The art of geisha playing music for mikoshi is said to be a rare practice.
From traditional inns to more casual accommodations, the Awara Onsen Tourist Association is ready to help you with any information a visitor may need.
(IHT/Asahi:March 30, 2004)
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天気 
Herald Tribune/Asahi
CHANGING JAPAN: FUKUI
