Maruoka Castle
丸岡城
One of only twelve surviving original castle keeps in Japan, with a rustic stone-tiled roof, cherry blossoms in spring, and nicknamed the 'Castle of Mist'.
The keep of Maruoka Castle was built in the early Edo period or earlier. It is one of the twelve surviving original castle keeps in Japan and an Important Cultural Property. It has two floors over three tiers, and its roof is made of Kōtani stone tiles that resist frost. The interior stairs are extremely steep, so visitors must climb holding on to a rope, and the top floor offers views over the Sakai Plain. Legend says that when mist rises around the castle town, the castle itself disappears from view, which is how it got the name 'Castle of Mist'. Admission is about ¥450, including the Ippitsu Keijō Letter Museum and the Historical Folk Materials Museum. Open 8:30 to 17:00. Getting there: take a bus from Awara Onsen Station or Fukui Station, about 20 to 40 minutes. It can be combined with Tojinbo and Awara Onsen.
Opening hours
08:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Yōkōkan Garden
- Fukui Castle Ruins
- Fukui Station Dinosaur Plaza
- Awara Onsen
- Asuwa River Cherry Blossoms
- Eihei-ji Temple
- Shibamasa World
- Mikuni-minato Old Town