First Look: Courtyard by Marriott Fukui
It’s the prefecture’s first international hotel!
Cover photo: The Lounge & Bar at Courtyard by Marriott Fukui, Fukui, Japan (2024). Photo by Danny With Love.
Intro
On Thursday, March 15th, US-based Marriott International’s latest hotel opened in Fukui City (福井市) to coincide with the new Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) extension into Fukui Prefecture (福井県), known as Japan’s Dinosaur Kingdom.
Courtyard by Marriott Fukui (コートヤード・バイ・マリオット福井) is the first foreign-branded hotel to open in Fukui. It is also the first Courtyard by Marriott property in the entire Hokuriku Region (Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama prefectures) and seventh in Japan.
The hotel is part of a larger development project called Fukumachi Block (ふくまちブロック), a mixed-use complex located just minutes away from Fukui Station. The site represents a large investment in Fukui, which ranks as Japan’s second-least visited prefecture by foreign tourists.
Hotel general manager, Atsushi ‘Leslie’ Chiyoma (千代間 淳) says, “We are delighted to welcome guests to Fukui, a city that attracts visitors with its fascinating history, culture and traditions, as well as its abundant natural scenic spots.”
![Reuben beef pastrami sandwich with sauerkraut, gruyere cheese, and jigarashi [spicy mustard] (3,150 yen or approx. 20 USD), at Substance, 15th floor, Courtyard by Marriott Fukui, Fukui, Japan (2024). Photo by Danny With Love.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cb09473755be259f904d128/1714101791519-CZ3NK1CLVVDVAOWQUSDA/PXL_20240315_095627179%7E3+WEB.jpg)
Please click on an image above for more details.
Details
At 120 meters (394 feet), Courtyard by Marriott Fukui is the tallest building in the prefecture. It offers incredible, panoramic views of the city. The main reception area is located on the 16th floor, overlooking Fukui Station. Nearby Mount Asuwa and Fukui Castle are also visible.
The hotel boasts 252 guest rooms. Base prices range from 22,000 to 67,000 yen (approx. 140 to 430 USD) per night, depending on the room. Only suites and corner deluxe rooms are equipped with bathtubs. There is a combined lounge and bar area, two conference spaces, a banquet hall, and a gym.
Courtyard by Marriott Fukui features two eateries, both located on the 15th floor. Substance serves international cuisine, with set, course, and à la carte options, while the restaurant simply called Fukui offers Japanese omakase (fine dining) at 21,800 yen (approx. 140 USD) per person.
The interiors are designed by Japanese firm FHAMS, inspired by the concept of kotan (枯淡), which translates as “elegant simplicity.” The teal color accent is borrowed from Shakudani (笏谷) stone, volcanic ash rocks once mined from Mount Asuwa. There are also many local crafts on display throughout the hotel, such as Echizen washi (paper), shiki (lacquerware), and yaki (pottery).
Impression
I visited Courtyard by Marriott Fukui on opening day. Though it was surprisingly quiet, I was excited to look around. The tower’s sheer height — coupled with international branding — gives Fukui City a new cosmopolitan feeling. I felt almost transported to New York as I ate my Reuben sandwich at Substance, but the wondrous view of the Hakusan mountain range behind Fukui Station kept me firmly rooted in Hokuriku, Japan.
It’s difficult to find the right balance of international luxury and local charm. While I enjoy the touches of Fukui throughout the hotel, I wonder it they are too subtle for foreign visitors to notice and appreciate. Thankfully, most of the staff I spoke with are Fukui natives who were eager to tell me about the hotel decorations as well as their favorite spots in the area.
I’m hopeful that such a place will attract more visitors to Fukui. With a loyalty program of 200 million members, Marriott International is the largest hotel chain in the world. Coupled with the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension, this is a promising development for tourism throughout the prefecture.
Author’s Note
As part of the Fukui Reporter program, I am tasked with participating in local events and publicly promoting the prefecture. This is a volunteer position that allows me free entrance to a selection of museums throughout the area. The opinions I share are my own.
