Fukui Prefecture local quiz! Become a Fukui expert with fun questions for elementary school students.

annoying

In Fukui Prefecture’s dialect, there is a word “otomashii.” “Otomashii” has two meanings: “惜しい (oshii, what a pity/so close)” and “うっとうしい (uttoushii, annoying/irritating).” For example, saying “otomashii koto o shita” means “What a pity, that was so close,” while “otomashii kodomo da” means “an annoying child.” It’s a unique Fukui word often used to express feelings.

5 people

Fukui Prefecture’s mascot character “Hapiryu” is made up of five dinosaurs. The name comes from “Hapi,” taken from “happy” reflecting Fukui’s top happiness ranking, and “ryu,” meaning “dragon/dinosaur” in Japanese. The five members, like a superhero team, are composed of Red “Hapiryu,” Green “Suboryu,” Blue “Taberyu,” Yellow “Hanaryu,” and Pink “Satoryu.” They are characters designed to share Fukui’s dinosaur culture in a fun way.

Fukui City

The capital of Fukui Prefecture is Fukui City. It is located in the northern part of the prefecture and is designated as a core city. In the Edo period, it prospered as a large castle town, and historic buildings and townscapes remain today. Fukui City has a Sea of Japan climate, characterized by frequent rain and snow throughout the year. It is an easy place to live, with plenty of schools and shops, and it is a city where history and nature feel close at hand.

orange box

"Orange Box" is a convenience store found only in Fukui Prefecture. In addition to buying food and drinks at the store, they also offer delivery for items you order. Locals in Fukui affectionately call it "Orebo." As a familiar convenience store within the prefecture, it’s a very handy place used after school or for meals at home.

Happiness level

Fukui Prefecture has ranked first for four consecutive times since the start of the survey in the “Happiness Ranking of All 47 Prefectures” conducted by the Japan Research Institute. This ranking examines factors such as residents’ ease of living and satisfaction with their daily lives. Fukui is evaluated as a prefecture where residents are likely to feel happy, thanks to its combination of natural environment, food, and convenience in daily life.

Europe-ken

Europe-ken in Fukui Prefecture is the restaurant where Fukui’s local specialty, sauce katsudon, was born. Its hallmark is eating katsudon with a special sauce poured over it, and it’s very popular. There are more than 10 locations in the prefecture, and it’s beloved by residents. Many people visit with their schools or families, and it’s famous as a place to enjoy the taste of Fukui. As the originator of sauce katsudon, it’s also popular with tourists.

Elpa

The large shopping mall that Fukui residents often go to is “Lpa.” Located in Oowada, Fukui City, it is known as the biggest shopping mall in the prefecture. People say that if you go there on weekends, you often run into friends or acquaintances. With plenty of shops and restaurants, it’s a popular spot among Fukui locals where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment.