Maruoka Castle

Welcome to Maruoka Castle, a place where history and legend are as thick as the mist that often shrouds its keep. Located in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, this castle is one of only twelve in all of Japan to have its original…

The 'tenshu' of Maruoka Castle is a prime example of the 'boro-gata,' or lookout-tower style, which is considered one of the earliest forms of castle keep design. While it looks like a two-story building from the outside, the…

The most visually striking feature of Maruoka Castle is undoubtedly its roof. While most Japanese castles use clay tiles or copper, Maruoka’s roof is covered with approximately 6,000 stone tiles, weighing a staggering 120 tons in…

The stone base of Maruoka Castle, known as the 'ishigaki,' is built in the 'nozura-zumi' style, which uses naturally shaped stones rather than those that have been cut or processed. This is one of the oldest styles of stone wall…

Like many ancient structures in Japan, Maruoka Castle is associated with a somber legend of 'hitobashira,' or a human sacrifice. The story goes that when the castle was first being built in 1576, the stone walls kept collapsing…

Stepping inside the keep, you are immediately struck by how functional and defensive the space is. The most famous feature for visitors is the incredibly steep stairs—almost like ladders—that connect the three floors. …

Just outside the main keep is a small, modern building known as the 'Ippitsu Keijo' Museum, or the Museum of the Shortest Letter in Japan. The museum is named after a famous, extremely brief letter sent from the battlefield by…

As we descend back to the base of the castle hill, we leave behind a structure that is a true survivor. Maruoka Castle has stood through centuries of feudal conflict, the sweeping changes of the Meiji Restoration, and the literal…