【Reading】えちぜん

【English Name】Echizen

Echizen is a place name and regional designation originating from the province of Echizen, established under the ritsuryo system. It was a region positioned along the Hokurikudo and mainly covered what is now the Reihoku area of Fukui Prefecture.

In the world of sushi, ingredients and dishes bearing the name "Echizen" are widely known; among them, Echizen-gani (male snow crab) is famous as a brand marine product representing Fukui Prefecture. Fishing has long flourished along the Echizen coast facing the Sea of Japan, where a wide variety of seafood such as flatfish, sweet shrimp, and mackerel has been landed.

Today, municipalities such as Echizen City, Echizen Town, and Minami-Echizen Town exist within Fukui Prefecture, all known as regions with a food culture blessed by the Sea of Japan. In sushi restaurants, the name "Echizen" is sometimes used to indicate the place of origin of a topping, and crab in particular is often served as sushi or sashimi in winter.

It should be added that the word "Echizen" is a polysemous term appearing in various scenes of Japanese culture, used in personal names (hyakkanmei, honorary official titles) and train names as well.