Echizen has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) influenced by its proximity to the Sea of Japan, and is characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Shiba Takatsune, who supported the Northern during the war, fought with Yoshisada Nitta in the Battle of the Hino River.

In the Sengoku period, the area prospered under the leadership of the Asakura clan, based at Ichijōdani, near modern Fukui city.

The Asakura were defeated by Oda Nobunaga, who divided the area among his generals Fuwa Mitsuharu, Sassa Narimasa, and Maeda Toshiie.

Maeda Toshiie took residence in Echizen-Fuchū Castle, on the current location of the Echizen city hall.

At the start of Fukui Domain, Honda Tomimasa, highly trusted by Tokugawa Ieyasu, was appointed as Hideyasu's karō.

Devastated by years of war, Echizen-Fuchū had lost its castles, roads, and buildings, and Honda is responsible for a major reconstruction of the area.

Following the Meiji Restoration, the area of present-day Echizen city was organised into Nanjō District within Fukui Prefecture.

It was named after an ancient Min'yō (folk song) called "Saibara", in the area of Echizen-Fuchū was known as "Takefu" during the Nara and Heian periods.

The fire was blamed on arson related to gang activity, and scenes from the movie Battles Without Honor and Humanity are said to be reminiscent of this incident.

Echizen has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members.