Echizen crab (越前がに) is one of the top brands of snow crab, and the Echizen crab fishing season opens on November 6 every year. Timed with the start of the season, the Echizen Crab Festival (越前かにまつり) is held every year as a celebration of crab. In response to the many requests to hold the festival on more days, it will again run for four days in total this year, at Michi-no-Eki "Echizen" (道の駅「越前」) in Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture.
On-the-spot sale of Echizen crab
Sale of dried fish prepared at the shore (浜仕込みの干物)
Seafood dishes
Atmosphere at the venue
At the festival, in addition to on-the-spot sales of Echizen crab, other Echizen seafood such as Echizen flounder (越前がれい) and amaebi (甘えび, sweet shrimp) will be on sale. Seafood dishes such as fried seafood (海鮮揚げ) and grilled seafood (海鮮焼き) can also be enjoyed at the venue. Echizen Town is known as the "Crab Town" (カニのまち越前町).
Event Overview
- Dates:
- Week 1: Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Week 2: Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2026
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day
- Venue: Nigiwai Hiroba (にぎわい広場) at Michi-no-Eki "Echizen" (道の駅「越前」), 71-335-1 Kuriya (厨), Echizen Town, Nyu District, Fukui Prefecture
- Parking:
- Michi-no-Eki Echizen north parking lot
- Active Ground (アクティブグラウンド) (not available in rainy weather)
- Kuriya Fishing Port Plaza (くりや漁港広場) (temporary parking; a free shuttle bus runs to the venue, about 5 minutes)
What's on Offer
- On-the-spot sale of Echizen crab
- On-the-spot sale of seiko crab (セイコガニ)
- On-the-spot sale of dried fish and other Echizen seafood
- Sale of seafood dishes, and more
Special Events
- [Echizen Crab Museum] Find Echizen Kanitaro: Quiz Rally Edition (【越前がにミュージアム】越前かに太郎を探せ～クイズラリー編～)
- [Popular event] Crab shell stacking game (【大人気企画】かにの甲ら積みゲーム), and more
About Echizen Crab
What Is Echizen Crab?
Echizen crab is the snow crab landed at the ports of Fukui Prefecture, and its fishing season opens on November 6 every year. Raised in the rough waves of the Sea of Japan and the severe cold, it is known as the "king of snow crabs" and is a premium variety recognized for its sweet, firm flesh. A crab with a yellow tag bearing the brand mark is proof of authentic Echizen crab.
Echizen Crab "Kiwami" (極)
"Echizen Crab Kiwami" (越前がに極) is the top-grade brand introduced in 2015. A dedicated tag is attached only to Echizen crabs that meet the standards of a weight of 1.5 kg or more (at landing), a shell width of 14.5 cm or more, and a claw width of 3 cm or more. It is said that only about 0.05% of the total catch qualifies. Echizen Town has newly created a dedicated "Kiwami" tag and is working to further strengthen the brand.
GI Mark Registration
In 2018, Echizen crab was newly registered under the Geographical Indication (GI) Protection System promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Echizen crab is the originator of tagged brand crabs and is also known as the only crab presented to the Imperial Family, and the registration added the national government's official seal of approval.
The GI system is promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to protect and pass on regional products with characteristics rooted in each region's environment and traditions. Echizen crab was the 69th item to be registered and the 6th from Fukui Prefecture, and it is the first crab in Japan to be registered.
Echizen Town, Home of Echizen Crab
Birthplace of the Yellow Tag
Tagged brand crabs are now standard across Japan. In 1997, the Echizen Town Fisheries Cooperative (越前町漁業協同組合) became the first in Japan to brand its crabs by attaching tags before the auction. The practice spread to other fisheries cooperatives in Fukui Prefecture, and the yellow tag is now firmly established as the brand image of Echizen crab.
The yellow tag is called a marker tag (標識票), a tag certifying the place of origin, and it is attached to the base of the right claw of the crab. The landing port is printed on the back of the tag, and "Echizen Port" (越前港) is the proof of authentic Echizen crab.
Top Catch in Fukui Prefecture
Echizen crab is landed at four ports in Fukui Prefecture, and nearly 80% of the catch is landed at Echizen Port. Echizen crab landed there is delivered to stores in Fukui Prefecture and across Japan. The largest share is naturally distributed in Echizen Town itself. Thanks to the abundant supply of fresh Echizen crab, inns, minshuku (民宿, family-run guesthouses), and restaurants in Echizen Town can serve fresh Echizen crab at any time, and fish shops sell it in large quantities.
Most Crab Fishing Boats in Fukui Prefecture
Echizen Town has about 40 bottom trawl fishing boats (底びき網漁船), both small and large, the most in Fukui Prefecture, and they play a central role in Echizen crab fishing. Even in Echizen, however, the number of boats is decreasing year by year, and the lack of successors is a problem shared nationwide. Still, pride in supporting the kitchens of Fukui Prefecture and the whole country sustains the port town of Echizen, which continues to supply many Echizen crabs and other fresh Echizen fish.
The Port Closest to the Crab Fishing Grounds
Freshness is the key to the taste of Echizen crab. The port of Echizen Town is the closest to the fishing grounds off Cape Echizen (越前岬), so the snow crabs can be brought back alive and lively. This is why Echizen crab is regarded as a top brand among snow crabs and why Echizen Town is considered the home of Echizen crab.
More Information
- Echizen Crab brand site (越前がにブランドサイト): https://www.town-echizen.jp/echizengani/
