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Just to the north of the ancient city of Kyoto along the Sea of Japan lies the prefecture of Fukui. Close by the prefectural capital, also called Fukui, is located the small city of Sabae, which developed as a temple town in the thirteenth century and as a castle town in the eighteenth. Fukui Prefecture, and Sabae in particular, has long enjoyed the reputation as a major center of crafts and industry. This is clearly evident in Sabae’s lacquerware, regarded as some of the finest in Japan, and its textiles as well as in Fukui’s handcrafted paper, and its pottery. Somewhat more recently, Sabae is noted for its manufacture of eyeglass frames, with 90 percent of Japan’s supply coming from this spot in Fukui Prefecture.
Sabae’s proximity to Wakasa Bay, an inlet of the Sea of Japan, ensures that seafood features prominently on local menus. Among the delicacies that visitors can look forward to
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here are abalone, tiger prawns and mackerel. a highly prized fish often eaten as sushi. Tilefish (amadai), a kind of sea bream, is enjoyed as the steamed dish amadai tsutsumi-mushi. Another great local favorite is the boiled local crab . echizen kani.
The finest accompaniment to the local cuisine is of course the local sake, and the name to watch for is Katoukichibee Shouten. Within the lineup of fine sake produced by this brewery, a good choice is the prize-winning Born, Yume wa Masayume, an aged sake characterized by a deep aroma, smooth flavor and sharp, satisfying finish. The most popular sake in the Born series is Born, Muroka Namagenshu, a fresh unprocessed beverage with a rich bouquet and full-bodied flavor. With its magnificent aroma and sharp, clean finish, Nihon no Tsubasa is a sake of such fine quality that it is deemed fit to serve to visiting heads of state. |
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