Katsuyama History

Katsuyama’s history goes back as far as the Jomon period with inhabitants living on both sides of the Kuzuryu river, according to archeological studies of the area.

During the Hakuhou Period, in the year 717 A.D., Taicho Daishi, establishing a cultural center in the city, founded Hakusan Heisenji Temple. This birth of fresh air helped with the establishment of a trade union in the city firmly creating an economic center to match the cultural half. As an integral cultural center of the Echizen region Katsuyama flourished for many years. This success remained unmatched until the mid 16^th century when Heisenji Temple was burned down during a peasant revolution that swept throughout the nation. The temple was rebuilt but never quite regained its original splendor and grandness. Later during the Meiji era, the temple became a shrine under Japanese law. 　

In 1575 a local lord by the name of Shibata brought order to the region, establishing a small but effective leadership that lasted through to the Meiji era.

Under the Meiji government 1 city and 9 villages were declared within the confines of the current city limit. The current city limits were created in 1954, combining 1 city and 8 villages, with a total population of 39,043 people.

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Katsuyama Profile

Katsuyama City, located in northeastern Fukui prefecture, currently holds a population of 28,413 as of October 1, 2000. Within this beautiful resort city are several cultural treasures that are definitely worth the hour trip from the capitol of Fukui city.

Of the 4 jewels of Katsuyama city, the brightest is the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, a world-class museum of paleontology. Opened in the summer of 2000 it has become the center of Dinosaur research in Japan, receiving attention nationally as well as from abroad.

During the winter the city draws large crowds from as far away as Osaka with Ski Jam Katsuyama, a ski resort that remains unmatched in size in the Kansai region.

Besides these rubies of entertainment, which the city has only recently begun to enjoy, are more traditional treasures hidden deep in the hillsides. Heisenji is one, with moss covering the grounds, creating a lush green carpet. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty and peaceful ambience of this historical spot.

Also not widely known but nonetheless grand in scale is the Daishizan Seidaiji temple (Echizen Daibutsu). Contained within this grand temple is the biggest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. It is 17 meters tall, which is larger than the famous statue in Todaiji Temple in Nara prefecture.

The last jewel on the crown is the Katsuyama Castle, a museum that displays a collection of cultural artifacts from Japan and China, some of which date back 700 years. Besides the exhibitions rooms the castle also has a tea ceremony room and a library.

These are just but a few of the beautiful treasures hiding in this small and remote town in the mountains. Stop on by and we will show you a good time.

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The Aspen Connection

Our friendship with the city of Aspen was inaugurated during a visit to the city of Aspen in 1990, with a casual exchange between the two mayors. The Aspen mayor at the time, Mr. Bill Stirling was a casual individual as was Mr. San-emon Imai, and both seemed to hit it off from the beginning. At the time Mr. Imai was overseeing the development of the Mount Hoonji Resort Area, and Aspen as a world-class resort, seemed the perfect model to have a look at.

The result was continued correspondence between the two cities resulting in the signing of a Cooperation and Exchange agreement in 1994. During Mr. Imai’s first visit a formal relationship was established with the Aspen Music Festival and School, leading to the Katsuyama Aspen Music Festival an annual festival held in Katsuyama.

Along with world-class music that visits every year, Katsuyama enjoys a bi-yearly alternating homestay exchange that has allowed many junior high and high school students the opportunity to experience international exchange and travel at a young age. Opening up many windows of opportunity for these young individuals full of potential.

On several occasions, groups of adults have visited Aspen as official friendship delegations. In the past four delegations have had the opportunity to visit and study Aspen, further strengthening the relationship between our respective cities. Here are the two most recent visits to Aspen in the summer of 2001.