Echizen Ono Castle

Echizen Ono Castle (越前大野城, Echizen-Ōnō-jō) sits high on a hill in the city of Ono, about 25 km east of Fukui. On misty mornings, clouds cover the town below, making the castle appear to float in the sky—earning it the nickname “castle in the sky.” The original structure, built in 1575, was torn down after the Meiji Restoration, but a modern reconstruction from the 1960s now offers stunning views and houses exhibits like samurai robes and a lord's palanquin.

The town of Ono, often called the “little Kyoto of Hokuriku,” was designed in a neat grid pattern, and historic charm still lingers today. East of the castle, you can visit two well-preserved samurai homes: Uchiyama Residence, an elegant home with a garden and Edo-period buildings, and Tamura Residence, a simpler home with countryside flair and playful windmill decorations. Both offer a peaceful glimpse into Japan’s past.