Post by Fuyu on Mar 22, 2021 23:32:37 GMT -5
Campus Overview
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Fukui Academy of Arts is located in the Asuwa district of Fukui City, sitting at the boundary of the residential areas and the forest that covers the mountainside. The front gate is the lowest point while the rest of the campus follows up the mountainside, making it visible from a distance. While there is a fence at the front gate that serves as the boundary between the school and rest of the residences, the rest of the campus is bounded by only the forest.
In terms of nearby transportation, the closest bus stop is Asuwa-itchome, a block north of campus. For local light rail is the Awuswayama-Koenguchi station, which is a few blocks to the east. JR access is though the Fukui station, at the city center.
Despite it's location between mountains, the city has hot and humid summers, averaging 30C/89F. Winters reach to roughly freezing temperatures on average. Precipitation, both rain and snow (when cool enough), is high year-round, especially in the winter months.
In terms of nearby transportation, the closest bus stop is Asuwa-itchome, a block north of campus. For local light rail is the Awuswayama-Koenguchi station, which is a few blocks to the east. JR access is though the Fukui station, at the city center.
Despite it's location between mountains, the city has hot and humid summers, averaging 30C/89F. Winters reach to roughly freezing temperatures on average. Precipitation, both rain and snow (when cool enough), is high year-round, especially in the winter months.
Fukui Academy Grounds
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Main Building - The Main Building of the academy consists of a central block with four wings that were added as the school expanded to accomodate more students and new fields of art. Over the years, the departments were moved around, though organization has settled down with the relocation of the Musical Arts and Theatre Arts departments to their own building.
At the central block are classrooms for the common, general education subjects, as well as where the cafeteria, student lounge, and teacher's lounge are located. The Visual Arts Department spans two wings. One wing is nicknamed the "modern" wing due to the computer lab, resulting in the other wing, where the workshops and studios are located, to be called the "traditional" wing. The Literary Arts Department wing is the largest singular wing in part due to the wing housing the library. The Culinary Arts Department is the newest and smallest wing, containing several kitchens for student use.
School Entrance Courtyard - Bounded by the Main Building, the Literature Department Wing and Library, and the Music and Theatre Building is a simple courtyard serving as a nexus of sorts. A grove of trees lines the direct path from the front gates of the campus to the front entrance of the Main building, with only a break for another footpath to cross perpendicularly, connecting the Library and the Theatre. It is a common hangout place for students, with a few taking up a small area to practice their art, whatever it may be.
Students Lounge - What was previously a series of large studios for the Theatre Arts Department became the Students Lounge. It overlooks the entrance courtyard, and is the place where students hang out should the weather prevent any outdoors activities. Several sets of tables and chairs are available for studying and collaborative works as well as casual conversation, though most prefer the large and more comfortable sofas. Various vending machines are also available, and its contents are hotly-debated topic by the student body.
Teacher's Lounge - Above the administrative offices and overlooking the rear gardens is the Teachers Lounge. Its separation from the offices was intentional to enforce the notion that the space was for the staff and faculty to relax and socialize. While much smaller than the Student's lounge, it still has ample seating accommodation and even has an enclave with a few futons for exhausted teachers to recuperate.
Library - The Fukui Academy Library sits at the end of the Literary Wing and near the front of the campus, only a short distance from the front gate. The library is open to the public though it is used mostly by students. It contains reference material useful for the students, copies of literary works from Fukui alumni, and other historical documents and publications. There are numerous reading rooms and study rooms available.
Cafeteria - The cafeteria is located in the central block of the main building, near the back. There are two main serving lines, one for common Japanese fare and one to accommodate more western tastes, both of which rotate offerings on a regular basis. The seating area consists of long rectangular tables and chair setups in the center while circular tables are on the outer edges. Additional tables and chairs are set up just outside the cafeteria for outdoor dining. For the most part, the food is pretty good, though the Culinary Arts Department seems to be somewhat ashamed.
Rooftops - Traditionally, the rooftops of the Main Building were cordoned off from student use. However, with the expanding campus and growing student body, certain portions of the rooftops were converted for various purposes, with safety fences erected to prevent falls. Most spaces were converted into partially covered studios, though the Gardening Club manages a rooftop garden and greenhouse as well.
Music and Theatre Building - In the late 1980s, various proposals were put forth to expand the Main Building for the Musical Arts and Theatre Arts departments, including the addition of a proper theatre hall. However, due to the complexity imposed by the theatre hall, the school board decided on constructing a separate building near the front of the school's gate, similar to the Library's location.
The building itself is H-shaped, with the theatre hall with its accompanying backstage and workshop serving as the connector between the Theatre Department's wing and the Music Department's wing. The original intention was to have both wings of the building be serviced by their exclusive set of classrooms and studios, but nowadays they end up being interchangeable. A gift from an alum has resulted in a piano lounge at the nexus of the theatre hall and each of the wings.
Recreational Areas - The open area between the Main Building and the Dormitories houses is split into two halves. One half is an open, grassy field with a running track around it, used for athletic evens and for the Physical Education classes. The other half is a French Garden, maintained by the Gardening club, with various pathways and gazeboes dotted amidst the flower beds. Both sides lead into the surrounding forest, though students are asked not to go into the forest unless supervised by staff.
Dormitory Building - All student residences are housed in a single dormitory building situated at the rear of the campus, and thus the highest point on the mountainside, where students can look out their windows and across the city from their rooms. The dormitory building was the only one that was actually started when the site was originally purposed for apartment buildings and was finished with slight alterations when the site was handed over for the purpose of constructing the Academy.
The building itself consists of four wings arranged in a ring, encasing an open-air garden maintained by the Gardening Club. The front entrance features an atrium, with stairs to the upper floors on the sides as well as direct access to the garden. At the opposite end of the building to the atrium are common lounges and a proper kitchen on each floor. There are two sets of elevators, one at the atrium and the other at the lounges.
Students are divided by year, with first years housed on the first floor, second years on the second, and so on. The rooms themselves, owing to the building's history, are laid out like apartments and are designed for two occupants. The front door opens into a common area with a small kitchenette. Three doors will be to the left or the right of the front door, two of which leads to the bedrooms with the central door being the bathroom door.
At the central block are classrooms for the common, general education subjects, as well as where the cafeteria, student lounge, and teacher's lounge are located. The Visual Arts Department spans two wings. One wing is nicknamed the "modern" wing due to the computer lab, resulting in the other wing, where the workshops and studios are located, to be called the "traditional" wing. The Literary Arts Department wing is the largest singular wing in part due to the wing housing the library. The Culinary Arts Department is the newest and smallest wing, containing several kitchens for student use.
School Entrance Courtyard - Bounded by the Main Building, the Literature Department Wing and Library, and the Music and Theatre Building is a simple courtyard serving as a nexus of sorts. A grove of trees lines the direct path from the front gates of the campus to the front entrance of the Main building, with only a break for another footpath to cross perpendicularly, connecting the Library and the Theatre. It is a common hangout place for students, with a few taking up a small area to practice their art, whatever it may be.
Students Lounge - What was previously a series of large studios for the Theatre Arts Department became the Students Lounge. It overlooks the entrance courtyard, and is the place where students hang out should the weather prevent any outdoors activities. Several sets of tables and chairs are available for studying and collaborative works as well as casual conversation, though most prefer the large and more comfortable sofas. Various vending machines are also available, and its contents are hotly-debated topic by the student body.
Teacher's Lounge - Above the administrative offices and overlooking the rear gardens is the Teachers Lounge. Its separation from the offices was intentional to enforce the notion that the space was for the staff and faculty to relax and socialize. While much smaller than the Student's lounge, it still has ample seating accommodation and even has an enclave with a few futons for exhausted teachers to recuperate.
Library - The Fukui Academy Library sits at the end of the Literary Wing and near the front of the campus, only a short distance from the front gate. The library is open to the public though it is used mostly by students. It contains reference material useful for the students, copies of literary works from Fukui alumni, and other historical documents and publications. There are numerous reading rooms and study rooms available.
Cafeteria - The cafeteria is located in the central block of the main building, near the back. There are two main serving lines, one for common Japanese fare and one to accommodate more western tastes, both of which rotate offerings on a regular basis. The seating area consists of long rectangular tables and chair setups in the center while circular tables are on the outer edges. Additional tables and chairs are set up just outside the cafeteria for outdoor dining. For the most part, the food is pretty good, though the Culinary Arts Department seems to be somewhat ashamed.
Rooftops - Traditionally, the rooftops of the Main Building were cordoned off from student use. However, with the expanding campus and growing student body, certain portions of the rooftops were converted for various purposes, with safety fences erected to prevent falls. Most spaces were converted into partially covered studios, though the Gardening Club manages a rooftop garden and greenhouse as well.
Music and Theatre Building - In the late 1980s, various proposals were put forth to expand the Main Building for the Musical Arts and Theatre Arts departments, including the addition of a proper theatre hall. However, due to the complexity imposed by the theatre hall, the school board decided on constructing a separate building near the front of the school's gate, similar to the Library's location.
The building itself is H-shaped, with the theatre hall with its accompanying backstage and workshop serving as the connector between the Theatre Department's wing and the Music Department's wing. The original intention was to have both wings of the building be serviced by their exclusive set of classrooms and studios, but nowadays they end up being interchangeable. A gift from an alum has resulted in a piano lounge at the nexus of the theatre hall and each of the wings.
Recreational Areas - The open area between the Main Building and the Dormitories houses is split into two halves. One half is an open, grassy field with a running track around it, used for athletic evens and for the Physical Education classes. The other half is a French Garden, maintained by the Gardening club, with various pathways and gazeboes dotted amidst the flower beds. Both sides lead into the surrounding forest, though students are asked not to go into the forest unless supervised by staff.
Dormitory Building - All student residences are housed in a single dormitory building situated at the rear of the campus, and thus the highest point on the mountainside, where students can look out their windows and across the city from their rooms. The dormitory building was the only one that was actually started when the site was originally purposed for apartment buildings and was finished with slight alterations when the site was handed over for the purpose of constructing the Academy.
The building itself consists of four wings arranged in a ring, encasing an open-air garden maintained by the Gardening Club. The front entrance features an atrium, with stairs to the upper floors on the sides as well as direct access to the garden. At the opposite end of the building to the atrium are common lounges and a proper kitchen on each floor. There are two sets of elevators, one at the atrium and the other at the lounges.
Students are divided by year, with first years housed on the first floor, second years on the second, and so on. The rooms themselves, owing to the building's history, are laid out like apartments and are designed for two occupants. The front door opens into a common area with a small kitchenette. Three doors will be to the left or the right of the front door, two of which leads to the bedrooms with the central door being the bathroom door.
The City of Fukui
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Downtown Fukui - The Junka, Chuo, Ote, Hinode, and Teyose districts are the main districts of Downtown Fukui, where City Hall, the Prefectural Government Building, and the historical Fukui Castle reside. Surrounding the JR Fukui and Shin-Fukui stations are a myriad of shopping malls and department stores, some incorporated into and even below the train tracks. Here is where the city is most bustling.
Aswua River Park - The Aswua River cuts through the middle of the city laterally as it goes to the sea. Near the city center, a large grove of cherry blossoms were planted along the banks, extending for several kilometers out from the Asuwa River's junction with the Hino River. The park is open year-round, with many shaded foot trails that follow the river, along with a small café near the Saiwai Bridge. During the March and April months, the cherry blossoms bloom, attracting many visitors to picnic beneath the trees.
Small Shops - Outside of the city center, the skyscrapers and grand malls quickly give way to smaller stores that line the main streets. Here, the local family stores still thrive, boasting a diverse selection of goods to browse and buy from. Students who cook for themselves make avail of the local groceries. There are more than a few specialty shops and restaurants for the adventurous to stumble upon.
Residential Areas - All housing on-campus is reserved for students, and even then not all students choose to stay in the dorms. Starting from the city center are various apartment complexes and condominiums, which eventually give way to single family homes as you go up the mountainsides.
Aswua River Park - The Aswua River cuts through the middle of the city laterally as it goes to the sea. Near the city center, a large grove of cherry blossoms were planted along the banks, extending for several kilometers out from the Asuwa River's junction with the Hino River. The park is open year-round, with many shaded foot trails that follow the river, along with a small café near the Saiwai Bridge. During the March and April months, the cherry blossoms bloom, attracting many visitors to picnic beneath the trees.
Small Shops - Outside of the city center, the skyscrapers and grand malls quickly give way to smaller stores that line the main streets. Here, the local family stores still thrive, boasting a diverse selection of goods to browse and buy from. Students who cook for themselves make avail of the local groceries. There are more than a few specialty shops and restaurants for the adventurous to stumble upon.
Residential Areas - All housing on-campus is reserved for students, and even then not all students choose to stay in the dorms. Starting from the city center are various apartment complexes and condominiums, which eventually give way to single family homes as you go up the mountainsides.
Beyond the Urban Sprawl
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Hot Springs - There are numerous public baths to be found around the city, along with hot springs as you ascend the various mountains around Fukui, Mt. Asuwa included. For those willing to travel and spend a bit more, the Awara Hot Springs in the neighboring town is a major attraction.
Fukui Mountainsides - The mountaintops of the Fukui Prefecture are sparsely settled compared to the valleys, but the sprinkling of small towns are interconnected by a maze of mountain roads. The agricultural industries of the prefecture dominate the area, though there are still many recreational areas for things like hiking and camping, such as Hakusan National Park. In the winter months, some areas open up for snow sports to take advantage of the heavy seasonal snows.
Sakai, Awara, and Echizen - While the urban center of Fukui is nestled in the valley carved out by the Asuwa, Kuzuryuu, and Hino River, the city still expands a good ways up the surrounding mountains and even to the sea, including the regionally-famous Mikuni Sunset Beach. Over the years, the neighboring cities of Sakai, Awara, and Echizen grew into each other and Fukui, forming a vast metropolis in the valley.
Fukui Mountainsides - The mountaintops of the Fukui Prefecture are sparsely settled compared to the valleys, but the sprinkling of small towns are interconnected by a maze of mountain roads. The agricultural industries of the prefecture dominate the area, though there are still many recreational areas for things like hiking and camping, such as Hakusan National Park. In the winter months, some areas open up for snow sports to take advantage of the heavy seasonal snows.
Sakai, Awara, and Echizen - While the urban center of Fukui is nestled in the valley carved out by the Asuwa, Kuzuryuu, and Hino River, the city still expands a good ways up the surrounding mountains and even to the sea, including the regionally-famous Mikuni Sunset Beach. Over the years, the neighboring cities of Sakai, Awara, and Echizen grew into each other and Fukui, forming a vast metropolis in the valley.
