First constructed in 1576 by Shibata Katsutoyo, Mauroka Castle lays claim to being one of Japan’s last 12 remaining original castles. In truth, only the keep (main tower) and supporting walls are original, and even those were substantially reinforced – using original materials – in the 20^th century. The area around it was part of the Maruoka Domain and was a wealthy area that stretched all the way to the ocean. In the nearby area you can easily visit the Tojinbo Cliffs, Oshima Island, Eiheiji and the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins. Don’t forget to come during cherry blossom season, the castle and the park surrounding it are considered on of Japan’s Top 100 places for cherry blossoms.

It was built with a rare architectural technique where the two story building is split over three floors. The stone that is and was used for the roof tiles is ‘shakudani’ stone, a local stone that has a turquoise color to it. You can see this stone around Fukui prefecture today and was a sign of wealth during the Edo period. A small museum nearby provides information and displays about the temple’s history. Known as the ‘Mist Castle’, legend told that whenever enemies approached a thick mist would appear and cloak the castle… so to ensure good weather, make sure you visit with good intentions.

Fukui City is a great base to discover the Maruoka Castle! It is a close bus ride with regular direct buses and also a train that stops nearby. If you are staying in the city and want to explore more of the region, join us for a tour of Fukui City and the famous Zen Buddhist Head Temple of Eiheiji! It is a full day of learning about the history of the area and feeling the spirituality of the Japanese mountains. See below for more information.

EIHEIJI & FUKUI CITY FROM KANAZAWA / all year round

1 Day Tour

1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Eiheiji Temple and Fukui City Castle Town
Period	All Year Round
Time	08:30 – 18:00
Meeting Place	Kanazawa Station Fukui Station
Adult Rate	¥25,300 / 17,800
Child Rate	¥14,500 / 11,000

As one of the head temples of the world famous Japanese Zen Buddhist sect, Eiheiji Temple is a place where you can feel the mystery and beauty of traditional architecture hidden in a natural paradise. On this tour you can choose start from either Kanazawa Station or Fukui Station. After grouping up at Fukui Station, we will take a tour of the city in the morning, seeing the castle walls, the “rainbow” shrine, and views of the city from the Atagozaka Slope. We will eat in the city before heading out on a direct bus to Eiheiji Temple. The ride into the mountains is about 30 minutes and we will arrive near the temple grounds. This area has had groupings of temples for over 500 hundred years and at its peak had thousands of monks living in the area. We will walk through the temple and learn about the history as we climb up deeper into the temple. There are many excellent photo spots to discover, too. The are so many interesting angles that catch the intertwining of nature and architecture all over the complex. Try to find the one that touches you the most!