A Celebration of Fukui’s Rich Culture: The Echizen & Wakasa Festival Shines in Kagurazaka, Tokyo
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the “Doon to Fukui in Kagurazaka: Echizen & Wakasa Festival” kicked off in Kagurazaka, Tokyo. I had the pleasure of attending the event and enjoying both the food and the vibrant activities.
The Echizen & Wakasa Festival features a variety of attractions, including sales of specialty products from Echizen and Wakasa, lunches made with local Fukui ingredients, stage performances, cultural exhibits, and a quiz rally. Blessed with sunny weather, the event drew a lively crowd on the opening day. Highlights included a performance of the Unpin Lion Dance, designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukui Prefecture, and a live show by the traditional craft idol group Sakurai-to Live, both of which captivated audiences.
Traditional Performances and Culinary Delights: A Taste of Fukui’s Heritage
The Unpin Lion Dance was especially popular, drawing a large number of spectators. This traditional performance has its roots in the Edo period (1603-1867), when Sakai Tadakatsu, the lord of Wakasa Obama Domain, brought the lion dancers from Kawagoe in present-day Saitama Prefecture when he relocated to Obama.
A Culinary Journey Through Fukui: From Snow Crab to Oroshi Soba
For lunch, I enjoyed a set meal of Oroshi Soba (grated radish soba) and Kaiko-don (Seiko Snow Crab Bowl) from the famous restaurant "Kuzuryu Soba." The Kaiko-don is named after the novelist Kaiko Ken, who adored this dish made with Seiko Crab, the female of the Echizen Crab (Snow Crab) species. True to its name, the Echizen Crab is a prized delicacy caught in Fukui Prefecture's waters.
Oroshi Soba, another Fukui specialty, has a long history. It is believed that its origins date back to the Sengoku period (1473–1573), when Asakura Takakage cultivated buckwheat as an emergency food during wartime. Later, in 1601, Honda Tomimasa, lord of Fuchu (modern-day Echizen City), introduced thin noodles served with grated radish, spreading this style of soba throughout the region.
In the modern era, Emperor Showa (1901–1989) remarked, "The soba in Echizen was exceptionally delicious," after enjoying Oroshi Soba during a visit to Fukui. Since then, it has gained nationwide recognition as Echizen Oroshi Soba. Personally, it’s my favorite dish, one I always enjoy whenever I visit my relatives in Fukui.
After watching the Unpin Lion Dance, I treated myself to a Wakasa Plum Dorayaki, a pancake-like dessert filled with sweet plum preserves. At the center of the filling was a generous amount of candied plums made from Fukui-grown fruit, offering a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
Historical Ties: Kagurazaka's Connection to Fukui and the Shogun's Street
The connection between Kagurazaka and Fukui dates back to the Edo period (1603–1867), when Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, ordered the construction of a road in 1636 to connect to the residence of Sakai Tadakatsu, lord of the Wakasa Obama Domain. The road, now known as Kagurazaka Dori, was once a Shogun’s official route, called the Onari Dori.
A Limited-Time Celebration: Savor Fukui’s Rare Delicacies in Kagurazaka
The Echizen & Wakasa Festival will run until today, Sunday, November 24, 2024. Visitors can also purchase rare Fukui specialties, such as Saba no Heshiko (fermented mackerel), Kodai Sasazuke (pickled sea bream), and dried fish like Wakasa Guji (tilefish), which are difficult to find in Tokyo. Don’t miss this chance to experience the culinary and cultural treasures of Fukui Prefecture—visit Kagurazaka and enjoy the festival!
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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