Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, is located almost in the center of Fukui Prefecture. It is a new city formed in 2005 through the merger of Takefu City and Imadate Town. The Hokuriku Expressway and National Route 8 run through the center of the city, making it conveniently located for easy access to major cities in the Kansai and Chukyo regions, as well as neighboring cities such as Fukui City and Tsuruga City. Echizen City boasts the largest number of cultural assets in Fukui Prefecture, and its place names and streetscapes convey the weight of its history and tradition. Echizen City is home to the three great Echizen delicacies: Volga rice, an omelet rice topped with pork cutlet; Echizen oroshi soba, a dish of grated daikon radish in dashi broth; and the traditional Takefu Ekimae Chuka Soba, popular with both locals and tourists.