Date/time:　　　Beginning

Location:　　　　Central Area of Fukui City
Contact Info: 　Convention of sightseeing in Fukui society　　0776-20-5151

Outline:
The Echizen Historical Costume Parade of Fukui / Spring Festival is held every April. People dressed up as of important figures and feudal warlords in Fukui’s history such as Yoshisada Nitta, Yoshikage Asakura, Katsuie Shibata, Hideyasu Yuki, Shungaku Matsudaira, and Lady O-Ichi, parade in the central area of Fukui. The feudal warlords are dressed in armor and ladies are dressed in beautiful kimonos. This gorgeous parade itself is like a “real-life” historical picture scroll.

Date/time:　　　The beginning of Apr

Location:　　　　Kasumi-cho Maruoka Town, SakaiCity
Contact Info: 　Sakai City Maruoka Tourist Association　　0776-66-5880

Outline:
Maruoka Castle (nationally important cultural property) was constructed in 1576 by Shibata Katsutomi, the nephew of Shibata Katsuie. This donjon structure, with two walls and three levels, is a watchtower donjon that functioned as a residence for the lord. It is the oldest structure of its kind in Japan. In spring, some 400 Someiyoshino cherry trees bloom in all their glory under the castle, which is listed under the 100 most beautiful cherry-blossom viewing sites in Japan. They lend additional beauty to the castle, which is also known as the Kasumi ga Jō (Mist Castle) due to the legend that whenever an enemy approaches the castle, a thick mist appears and hides it.

Date/time:　　　Beginning-middle

Location:　　　　Kanegasaki Town, Tsuruga City
Contact Info: 　Tsuruga Tourist Association　　0770-21-8167

Outline:
In April, when the warm air blows and the cherry blossoms start opening, neighborhoods in Tsuruga are brightened up. The Hanakae Matsuri at Kanesaki shrine, one of the major cherry blossom spots, is an event where couples exchange a branch of cherry blossoms as well as their thoughts about each other, saying ‘Let’s exchange the flowers’.as well as their thoughts about each other.

Date/time:　　　From the end of April to the beginning of May

Location:　　　　Yoshizaki, Awara City（Yoshizaki Shinshu Otani sect）
Contact Info: 　Awara Tourist Association

Outline:
This event depicts the travels of Rennyo Shonin. The believers of the religion walk relaying a ‘Mikoshi’ or portable shrine, which contains a picture of Rennyo Shonin inside, from Kyoto to Yoshizaki where people holding Japanese lanterns welcome them. This is the biggest traditional event in Yoshizaki and makes the town very busy with lots of worshippers visiting. This reminds us of the prosperity of this town in days gone by.