Features of The Hokuriku Region
TOPOGRAPHY
The Hokuriku region is situated in the northwest of the Honshu, the main island of Japan. It includes the prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui.
Toyama prefecture has Mt Tateyama(3,000 m-high), Toyama Plain, Toyama Bay(300 m-1,000 m deep) and 5 major rivers.
Ishikawa prefecture has Mt. Hakusan(2,700 m-high), Kanazawa Plain, 1 major river and Noto peninsula. Fukui prefecture has Fukui Plain, 1 major river and Echizen coastline.
CLIMATE
The climate of the Japan Sea side is greatly different from that of the Pacific Ocean side.Ranges of high mountains running from northeast to southwest in the middle of the Honshu Island cause this difference.
In winter, the Japan Sea side is a heavy snowfall region. Dry Siberian air masses move over the Sea of Japan and absorb much vapor. Humid air masses hit Japan Northern Alps and dump heavy snow. Annual precipitation here falls in excess of 2,400mm accumulating more than 30 % in winter.
The summer monsoon causes the rainy season, which sets in in the middle of June and ends late July. After the rainy season, the summer has more fine days.
Typhoon's visit to this region is relatively small in number compared to other regions.
INDUSTRY
Many hydroelectric power plants are constructed by taking advantage of heavy snowfall and abundant water.
Snow is a big nuisance for the people here, however, heavy snowfall is utilized as sightseeing sources such as ski resorts, local snow festivals, beautiful snow covered scenery of World Heritage Shirakawa-go, huge snow wall in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route, snow taken out from icehouse in Kanazawa which is displayed in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward in summer.
This region is also free from a shortage of water in summer. Networks of irrigation supply abundant melted snow to raise rice plants, which make this region a typical rice-producing region.
Fishery is also popular. Toyama Bay is known for its stationary fishing.
There are good landing of yellowtails and snow crabs in wnter. Himi-kanburi for yellowtail and Echizen-gani or Zuwai-gani for snow crab are brand names in Japan.
The aluminum refining industry and the allied industry, which consume huge amounts of electricity have been thriving in Toyama Prefecture.
Oil refineries, heavy chemicals industry and electric equipment manufacturers are also developing.
This region is the largest industrial comlex on the Sea of Japan side.
Port of Fushiki Toyama is officially designated particularlly important port.
Local Unique Industry ,and Traditional Arts and Crafts Industry
Light industries such as gold leaf in Kanazawa, eye-wear production in Sabae, the textile industry in Fukui, Takaoka copperware casting in Takaoka and wood carving (especially RANMA,open-work wooden panel for transom) in Inami are famous. Traditional arts and crafts such as Kutani pottery, Wajima / Kanazawa / Yamanaka lacquerwares, Kagayuzen silk dyeing, and Japanese paper workshops such as Echizen and Futamata are handed down generations. These Traditional arts and crafts keep their business adopting a modern aesthetic sense.　　