Mikuni-Minato (Sakai City, Fukui Pref.)

In days of yore, Mikuni-Minato was a port town that prospered as a port of call for the Kitamae-bune trading vessels. Long historical legacies and reminders of a colorful culture remain unchanged at various locations in the town. Floats bearing giant warrior dolls (see photograph) parade through the streets as part of the Mikuni Festival, which is held in May of each year.

Kitamae-bune:

Trading vessels that operated between the 17th and 19th centuries

Mikuni Ryushokan is a general museum whose outer walls comprise the exterior portions of the Ryushou Elementary School, a five-story octagonal building built in 1879. A huge array of materials designed to educate visitors on all aspects of Mikuni are displayed, including resources concerning the Kitamae-bune trading vessels as well as materials pertaining to the nature, history, folklore, literature, and the arts of this storied place.

Take a walking tour with volunteer guides of various sightseeing spots, including the scenic beauty Tojinbo and locations where the history and culture of this port town remain alive, and savor the bounty of the sea as they are unloaded at Mikuni Port.