Maruoka Castle Complete Guide | History, Highlights, and Access Information for the Only Existing Castle Tower in the Hokuriku Region
What is Maruoka Castle?
Maruoka Castle is a hilltop castle located in Kasumi-cho, Maruoka-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, and is affectionately known as “Kasumiga-jo” (Mist Castle). It was built in 1576 during the Sengoku period by Shibata Katsuie, who, under orders from Oda Nobunaga, had his nephew, Shibata Katsutoyo, construct it.
Currently, there are only 12 castle towers built before the Edo period that still exist throughout Japan, and Maruoka Castle is one of these precious few, boasting the only existing castle tower in the Hokuriku region. It was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1950 and selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles in 2006.
Maruoka Castle’s keep is a freestanding watchtower-style structure with two exterior stories and three interior floors, standing approximately 12 meters tall. It is characterized by its sturdy and robust appearance, strongly reflecting the architectural style of the Sengoku period (Warring States period). In spring, approximately 400 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom, making it a nationally renowned cherry blossom viewing spot, recognized as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots.”
History of Maruoka Castle
Construction History and Shibata Katsutoyo
The history of Maruoka Castle begins during the turbulent Sengoku period. In 1575, Oda Nobunaga suppressed the Echizen Ikko-ikki rebellion and entrusted its subsequent governance to his senior retainer, Shibata Katsuie. Katsuie was based at Kitano-sho Castle (present-day Fukui Castle), with his nephew, Shibata Katsutoyo, stationed in Toyohara (present-day Fukui City). However, to prepare for a potential resurgence of the Ikko-ikki, it was necessary to construct a castle in a more strategic location.
In 1576 (Tensho 4), Katsutoyo built a new castle on Maruoka, an isolated hill in the eastern part of the Sakai Plain, and moved his base there. Maruoka, a small hill about 40 meters high with a panoramic view of the Fukui Plain, was a strategically important location suitable for both defense and surveillance.
Changes in Castle Lords
Since its construction, Maruoka Castle has seen numerous changes in its lords. After Shibata Katsutoyo, it was ruled by Yasui Kiyoshi, Aoyama Munekatsu, and Aoyama Tadamoto. During the Edo period, the Honda family ruled the castle for four generations. Honda Narishige, in particular, is known for sending his wife the famous “shortest letter in Japan”: “A brief note: Be careful of fire, don’t make Osen cry, fatten the horses.” “Osen” was the childhood name of the later Maruoka domain lord, Honda Narishige.
Subsequently, the Arima family ruled the Maruoka domain for eight generations until the Meiji Restoration. During the Arima family’s rule, the Maruoka Domain was a small domain with a 50,000 koku (unit of rice production) yield, but its castle town flourished culturally, forming the foundation of present-day Maruoka.
The Mystery of the Castle Tower’s Construction Date
The construction date of the Maruoka Castle tower has been a subject of debate for many years. Traditionally, it has been believed that the tower was built in 1576 (Tensho 4), when Shibata Katsutoyo constructed the castle, and it has been presented as the “oldest existing castle tower.”
However, a survey conducted by Fukui University of Technology in 2008 (Heisei 20) involved dendrochronology of the timber used in the tower, revealing that the newest components dated back to the 1620s. Based on these results, the prevailing theory is that the current tower was built during the Kan’ei era (1624-1644).
Nevertheless, the Maruoka Castle tower retains the watchtower-type architectural style, an old architectural style from the Sengoku period, and remains one of the oldest existing castle towers among the 12 remaining castle towers.
The Fukui Earthquake and the Miraculous Restoration
The greatest challenge in the history of Maruoka Castle was the Fukui Earthquake, which occurred on June 28, 1948. This massive earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.1, completely destroyed the castle keep along with its stone walls.
At the time, securing funds for restoration was extremely difficult in the chaotic post-war period. However, donations poured in from local residents and castle enthusiasts nationwide, and the keep was rebuilt in 1955. This restoration involved meticulous work, reusing approximately 80% of the collapsed materials and faithfully reassembling them to their original form.
Thanks to this restoration work, which could be described as a “dismantling and repair,” the Maruoka Castle keep has preserved its cultural value and retains its original appearance to this day. The recovery from the Fukui Earthquake is a testament to the strong will of the local people to protect their cultural heritage, and is a noteworthy event in the history of Maruoka Castle.
Highlights of Maruoka Castle
Architectural Beauty of the Existing Castle Tower
The greatest highlight of Maruoka Castle is undoubtedly its existing castle tower, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. This independent watchtower-style tower, with its two exterior stories and three interior floors, preserves the robust and practical architectural style of the Sengoku period (Warring States period).
The tower’s structure features a watchtower section resting on the “lower level” of the first and second floors, a characteristic seen in early castle towers. Unlike the layered tower-style towers that became mainstream from the mid-Edo period onward, this design prioritizes practicality and functionality.
The interior of the tower is connected by steep stairs, allowing visitors to climb to the top floor. The stairs have a slope of approximately 65 degrees, requiring the use of ropes for ascending and descending. These steep stairs also demonstrate the defensive emphasis on castle architecture during the Sengoku period.
Shakudani Stone Roof Tiles
One of the most distinctive features of Maruoka Castle’s keep is its roof, which is covered with Shakudani stone. Shakudani stone is a bluish-green tuff quarried around Mt. Asuwa in Fukui City. It is easy to process and highly durable.
While typical castles use roof tiles, Maruoka Castle uses heavy stone tiles. This is considered a design feature to withstand heavy snowfall and strong winds in winter. The stone tiles are gray when dry, but change to a bluish hue when wet, altering the overall appearance of the castle. This unique aesthetic is another charm of Maruoka Castle.
Shakudani stone is used not only for the roof but also for parts of the stone walls and stone monuments within the castle grounds, playing an important role as a building material that utilizes the characteristics of the region.
Nozurazumi Stone Walls
The stone walls of Maruoka Castle are built using an ancient technique called “Nozurazumi,” where natural stones are stacked with minimal processing. This technique was prevalent from the Sengoku period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Because it utilizes the natural shape of the stones, the surface has an irregular and rough appearance.
While technically more primitive than later techniques like “uchikomi-hagi” (fitted stonework) and “kirikomi-hagi” (cut stonework), the gaps between the stones provide excellent drainage and make it more resistant to earthquake tremors. In fact, although the castle tower collapsed in the Fukui earthquake, parts of the stone walls remained intact.
Observing the stone walls reveals that stones of various sizes are skillfully combined to create a stable structure. These nozura-zumi stone walls are one piece of evidence that Maruoka Castle retains many characteristics of a Sengoku period castle.
View from the Castle Tower
From the top floor of Maruoka Castle’s tower, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Sakai Plain. On a clear day, you can see the Hakusan mountain range to the east, the Sea of Japan to the west, and the townscape of Mikuni Port to the north, experiencing the same view that the castle’s former lords once enjoyed.
The castle tower stands on the summit of an isolated hill, offering unobstructed 360-degree panoramic views. In spring, a sea of cherry blossoms spreads out below, a sight that truly embodies the origin of its nickname, “Kasumigajo” (Mist Castle).
This excellent view was also crucial for military surveillance. Its location, allowing observation of roads across the Sakai Plain and the movement of ships from the Sea of Japan, speaks to the strategic value of Maruoka Castle.
Kasumigajo Park and Cherry Blossoms
Kasumigajo Park, surrounding Maruoka Castle, is home to approximately 400 Somei Yoshino cherry trees and is designated as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots.” Every year from early to mid-April, the sight of the cherry blossoms in full bloom enveloping the ancient castle is breathtaking.
During cherry blossom season, the “Maruoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” is held, and the castle is illuminated at night. The contrast between the castle tower, illuminated against the dark night sky, and the cherry blossoms is fantastical, truly befitting the name “Castle of Mist.”
During the cherry blossom festival, various events and stalls line the castle town, attracting many tourists. Stalls selling local specialties such as Maruoka 80/20 soba noodles are also present, allowing visitors to enjoy Fukui’s food culture along with the cherry blossoms.
A Single Letter: The Museum of Japan’s Shortest Letter
The “A Single Letter: The Museum of Japan’s Shortest Letter,” located next to Maruoka Castle, is another must-see. This museum was established in commemoration of a concise letter sent by Honda Shigetsugu to his wife from the battlefield: “A single letter: Be careful of fire, don’t make Osen cry, fatten the horses.”
Inside the museum, outstanding short letters submitted from all over Japan are displayed, allowing visitors to experience the deep thoughts and affection contained within just a few dozen characters. The annual “One-Line Letter Award” receives tens of thousands of entries from across Japan, making it a cultural symbol of Maruoka Town, alongside Maruoka Castle.
At the Letter Museum, there’s a corner where you can actually write and mail a letter, allowing you to experience expressing your feelings to a loved one in short words.
Maruoka Historical and Folk Museum
The Maruoka Historical and Folk Museum, accessible with a Maruoka Castle admission ticket, exhibits materials related to the history of the Maruoka Domain and Maruoka Castle. Through valuable materials such as armor, swords, and ancient documents of successive castle lords, you can learn deeply about the history of the Maruoka Domain.
Of particular note are the photographs taken before and after the castle’s collapse due to the Fukui Earthquake, and the records of the restoration work. These materials are important evidence that tells the story of how Maruoka Castle overcame difficulties to reach its present state.
Furthermore, the museum also has a wealth of folk materials related to the industries and daily lives of the common people of the Maruoka Domain, providing a multifaceted understanding of Maruoka’s history as a castle town.
Maruoka Castle Visitor Information
Opening Hours and Admission Fees
Opening Hours
- 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry 4:30 PM)
- Open year-round (However, there may be temporary closures)
Admission Fees
- Adults (High school students and older): 450 yen
- Children (Elementary and junior high school students): 150 yen
- Group discounts available (30 people or more)
The admission fee includes admission to three facilities: Maruoka Castle Keep, the Historical and Folk Museum, and the “One-Line Letter Museum – Japan’s Shortest Letter Museum.”
Estimated Time Required
A visit to Maruoka Castle, including climbing to the keep, should take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. If you also plan to visit the Historical and Folk Museum and the “One-Line Letter Museum – Japan’s Shortest Letter Museum” at a leisurely pace, allow a total of 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
If you plan to enjoy the cherry blossoms, the view from the keep, or take plenty of photos, it is recommended to allocate even more time. ### Important Notes
- The stairs inside the castle keep are extremely steep (approximately 65 degrees), so we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and shoes.
- Climbing the keep in a skirt is difficult; pants are recommended.
- Shoes are strictly prohibited inside the keep. Please remove your shoes at the entrance and change into slippers.
- Due to the limited space inside the keep, entry may be restricted during peak hours.
- Wheelchair access to the keep is not possible, but viewing the exterior is possible.
Important Information Regarding Major Repairs
From December 2025 to November 2027, Maruoka Castle’s keep will undergo major repair work, including earthquake-resistant measures. While the interior of the keep will be accessible during the construction period, the exterior will be obscured by scaffolding and coverings at times.
Those planning a visit are advised to check the official website for the latest information beforehand.
Access Map
Location
Address: 1-59 Kasumi-cho, Maruoka-cho, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture 910-0231
Access by Public Transportation
By Train/Bus
- From JR Hokuriku Main Line “Fukui Station,” take the Keifuku Bus “Maruoka Line” for approximately 40 minutes, get off at the “Maruoka Castle” bus stop, and it’s a short walk.
- From Echizen Railway Mikuni-Awara Line “Honmaruoka Station,” it’s approximately a 15-minute walk.
By Highway Bus
- Highway buses from Tokyo and Nagoya stop at Fukui Station. Transfer to the bus mentioned above from Fukui Station.
Access by Car
Using the Expressway
- Approximately 5 minutes (approx. 2km) from Maruoka IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
- Approximately 15 minutes (approx. 8km) from Fukui Kita IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
Parking
- Dedicated parking lot for Maruoka Castle (free, capacity approx. 100 cars)
- Temporary parking is also available during the cherry blossom festival.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Tojinbo (approx. 20 minutes by car)
- A scenic spot with towering cliffs created by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. Designated as a national natural monument.
Echizen Matsushima Aquarium (approx. 25 minutes by car)
- A popular aquarium where you can enjoy dolphin shows and interact with penguins.
Mikuni Minato-cho (approx. 15 minutes by car)
- A townscape that retains the atmosphere of a port town that flourished since the Edo period. Attractions include Mikuni Shrine and the former Morita Bank headquarters.
Eiheiji Temple (approx. 30 minutes by car)
- The head temple of the Soto Zen sect. You can experience Zen meditation in the tranquil temple grounds.
Awara Onsen (approx. 20 minutes by car)
- A representative hot spring resort in Fukui Prefecture. There are also many day-trip bathing facilities.
Gourmet around Maruoka Castle
Maruoka Ni-Hachi Soba
Maruoka town’s specialty is “Maruoka Ni-Hachi Soba.” Made with 80% buckwheat flour and 20% binder, the classic way to eat it is “Oroshi Soba,” which uses plenty of grated daikon radish.
There are several soba restaurants in the castle town, each maintaining its own unique flavor. Long-established restaurants such as “Omiya-tei” and “Madoka” are particularly popular. After visiting Maruoka Castle, why not enjoy the local flavors?
Maruoka Castle Machiyori Market
At the “Maruoka Castle Machiyori Market” located inside the Maruoka Castle Tourist Information Center, you can purchase local specialties and souvenirs. This shop offers a variety of Maruoka-specific products, including buckwheat flour from Maruoka, crafts made with Shakutani stone, and local sake.
Tourist information is also available, making it convenient for gathering information about Maruoka Castle and surrounding attractions.
Experiencing the Charm of Maruoka Castle
Seasonal Expressions
Maruoka Castle displays different expressions in each of the four seasons.
Spring (Late March to Mid-April)
- Approximately 400 cherry trees bloom, making it the most spectacular season. A cherry blossom festival is also held.
Summer (June to August)
- The castle tower, enveloped in fresh greenery, gives a refreshing impression. The contrast between the blue sky on a sunny day and the stone tiles is beautiful.
Autumn (October to November)
- Autumn leaves color the castle, allowing you to enjoy a tranquil atmosphere. The air is clear, and distant views are excellent.
Winter (December to February)
- The snow-covered castle tower is exceptionally beautiful. A landscape unique to the Sea of Japan side in winter unfolds before you.
Photo Spots
Maruoka Castle is an ideal spot for photography. Here are some recommended photo spots:
The Keep from the Main Entrance
- A classic angle that captures both the stone walls and the keep together.
From Kasumigajo Park during Cherry Blossom Season
- The keep surrounded by cherry blossoms is enchanting. Especially beautiful at dusk and when illuminated at night.
View from the Top Floor of the Keep
- You can take landscape photos with the Sakai Plain and the Hakusan mountain range in the background.
Close-up of the Shakutani Stone Wall
- On rainy days, the stones become wet and take on a bluish tint, highlighting their unique texture.
Event Information
Maruoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival (Early to Mid-April)
- Held when approximately 400 cherry trees are in full bloom. Nighttime illuminations and various events are held.
One-Line Letter Award (Entries accepted year-round, awards ceremony in autumn)
- A contest for the shortest letter in Japan. Winning entries are displayed in the museum.
Maruoka Old Castle Festival (Irregular)
- An event showcasing the history and culture of Maruoka. Sometimes includes a samurai procession.
Event information may change from year to year, so it is recommended to check the official website before visiting.
Summary: The Value and Charm of Maruoka Castle
Maruoka Castle, as the only remaining castle keep in the Hokuriku region, occupies an extremely important position in the history of Japanese castles. It boasts many features not found in other castles, such as its sturdy keep that strongly retains the architectural style of the Sengoku period, its unique roof covered with Shakutani stone, and its rough-hewn stone walls.
In its nearly 450-year history since its construction by Shibata Katsutoyo, Maruoka Castle has overcome numerous difficulties. The reconstruction of Maruoka Castle, particularly after its collapse following the Fukui earthquake, is a testament to the strong will of the local people to protect their cultural heritage, further enhancing its current value.
From its cherry blossoms in spring and the views from the keep to the tradition of letter writing, Maruoka Castle possesses not only historical value but also a variety of attractions that captivate visitors. When visiting Fukui Prefecture, be sure to visit Maruoka Castle and experience the historical weight and beauty of the only remaining castle keep in the Hokuriku region.
A large-scale repair project is scheduled to begin in 2025, which is also an important undertaking to pass on Maruoka Castle to future generations. From its appearance before the repairs, through the repair process, and its even stronger form after the repairs, Maruoka Castle will continue to teach us the importance of historical preservation and cultural property protection.
