Hello, everyone watching Cool Japan Video! We are the Minami-Echizen Town Tourism Federation in Fukui. Located almost in the center of Fukui Prefecture, Minami-Echizen Town, Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture, is a town where the nature of the sea, mountains, and countryside harmonize, and history and culture live on. It was formed in 2005 through the merger of former Nanjō-chō, Imajo Town, and Kono Village, and each area has its own unique characteristics and attractions. Along the coastline, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sea of Japan, and inland, you can see the landscape of satoyama (managed woodlands) woven by mountains and clear streams! Minami-Echizen Town is also known as an area where the original landscape of Japan remains, and you can experience a lifestyle in harmony with the nature that changes with the seasons. In the peaceful rural areas, agricultural experiences such as rice planting and harvesting are popular, and many tourists enjoy them. [Access to Minami-Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture] For those coming by car, it is about 5 minutes from the Hokuriku Expressway "Nanjo Smart Interchange," making it very convenient to access from the expressway. The JR Hokuriku Main Line "Imajo Station" and "nanjou station" are also available, making it easy to travel by train from the Kansai and Chukyo areas. It takes about 2 to 3 hours by car or train from Nagoya and Osaka, making it ideal for a day trip. At "Roadside Station Minami Echizen Sankairi," you can rent electric bicycles, so touring Minami-Echizen Town leisurely by bicycle is also a popular style of sightseeing. [About Minami-Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture] Minami-Echizen Town belongs to Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture, has an area of approximately 344 square kilometers, and a population of approximately 9,000 people (as of May 2025). It is a town with rich nature and a peaceful life. Minami-Echizen Town, which stretches from north to south, has a diverse range of lifestyles, from coastal villages to mountainous farming areas, each with its own unique culture and customs. Local residents are actively involved in tourism, agriculture, and crafts, which has attracted a lot of attention. [Introduction to the Historical Background of Minami-Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture] Minami-Echizen Town has developed as an important point for transportation and logistics from ancient times to the Middle Ages and early modern times. The Imajo area flourished as a post town on the Kitakuni Highway during the Edo period, with many travelers and merchants coming and going. The stone-paved roads and latticed houses still remain, giving a sense of the past bustle.