The province of Echizen (越前国, Echizen No kuni ) is a old province Japan which corresponds to the northern half of current the Préfecture of Fukui.

Echizen is famous for its paper produced traditionally ( Washi ), and this since centuries: a text gone back to 774 mentions the washi produced in this area. Still today, the washi produces in Echizen is always the traditional paper more sold in Japan.

Echizen is also known for its Céramique S. It is one of the six old production sites of Japan (others being Shigaraki, Bizen, Seto, Tamba, and Tokoname) and is consequently very known in the community of the Japanese and international ceramists.

It is supposed that the old capital was located close to Takefu, but the province was divided into many strongholds during the Period Sengoku and during the Period Edo the daimyō maintained its seat with Fukui.

The province was control successively by the Clan Shiba, the Clan Asakura and the Clan Oda starting from 1573.